Jeoffrey

Toilet-bound Hanako-kun is a very peculiar anime series. The animation is quite original, although I have been having a hard time getting used to it. It reminds me that quite often an anime series is actually just a manga in motion, which looks and feels weird in this particular show. Also, (as SonGokussj says in his review), on the whole the atmosphere changes all the time, and the changes sometimes feel too unnatural. There are interesting characters, and the individual narratives and the mystery regarding the two brothers are also intriguing. On the other hand, I somehow could not get on with the characters. Yashiro is incredibly naive at times, and her desire for a girly romance and popularity does not really help a guy in the thirty-plus age bracket relate to this show - again, as SonGokussj writes, I guess I am not the target audience. Still, unlike my colleague, I did not give up, my curiosity would not let me, because I wanted to know how it would turn out, and I also wanted to know more about the relationship between the two brothers. I was even interested in how the kind of Twilight-style romance, and maybe even how Mitsuba would turn out, even though once again I was not really into that particular character. It is an imaginative show, and it is even funny, however, at the same time there are things that made me go "meh". After saying all of that, I am sticking with it. I am going to finish the whole of the first season, and then I will probably give the next one a go. I have been conflicted, however, as to what extent this anime series is entertaining, enjoyable and intriguing. Am I awarding it a strong three stars or weak four stars? In the end, on reflection, I am going with a strong three stars, so 6.4/10.

For me, it was a nice nod to Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun, a series that was undeniably unique but didn't quite win me over. Similarly, I didn't fully connect with Hanako-kun and the gang here. The episodes felt short and pretty random, serving more as a quick revisit to this world. 6/10

For some, today marks the end of just one anime series, but for others, it signals the end of an entire era. While I've never been the staunchest fan of AoT in its previous seasons, always finding some reason to withhold that coveted fifth star, I can't deny it this time. I now understand why the ending of AoT is such a monumental event for many. It's a series that, like Pokémon, One Piece, Naruto, and later Sword Art Online, has created a whole new generation of otaku, serving as a gateway to anime for countless viewers who realized that animation isn't just for kids. For them, this is the end of their first true Japanese animated love – a feeling that must be both poignant and surreal. The most notable criticism of this final season, one that's been the butt of many jokes, is its broadcast format. Stretching it out in all ways possible, creating "final season, final part, part 2" or was it "final season, part 3, part 2", is something I'll remember for years to come. But perhaps it was a necessary sacrifice to uphold the series' quality, turning each episode into a grand and meaningful experience. MAPPA spared no effort, even in the realm of CGI, which typically raises eyebrows among anime purists. Yet here, it seamlessly blends into the narrative, leaving only minor details like the pronounced shading of characters using hatching to potentially gripe about. But what's beyond reproach now is the story. The final season is a culmination of everything the author has meticulously laid out in previous seasons, including what was only hinted at in passing. It broadens the scope of the narrative to encompass the entire world, introducing new dimensions and shifting perspectives on events we thought we understood. It's a profound philosophical exploration of morality, humanity, hatred, and war, with countless themes to unpack. Nothing is painted in simple black and white; everything is a matter of perspective. The line between hero and terrorist blurs, depending on who's judging our actions. For the discerning viewer, this last season is a treat to savor, a puzzle finally pieced together to reveal a beautifully complex image worthy of further analysis. The emotions, as intense as ever, resonate deeply as the stakes soar to unprecedented heights – and rightfully so. I found myself genuinely invested in the characters, no longer certain of anyone's fate, which made the loss of some all the more poignant. Surprisingly, I even shed a tear for a character I used to only make fun of in previous seasons. The "finale" itself, spanning the last two episodes, is nothing short of cinematic brilliance – a culmination, explanation, and conclusion rolled into one. Though, to say it ties up every loose end would be a stretch; some mysteries transcend even the end of the series – which is one of the show's takeaways. What more is there to say? For some, today marks the end of just one anime series, but for others, it marks the end of an era. And as Jeoffrey can only attest, there's a lot more to "Titans" than meets the eye. 9.5/10

Honestly, I'm not a fan of the animation style chosen for this anime. The blend of 3D characters against mostly static 2D backgrounds, often lacking detail, gives off an odd vibe that doesn't sit well with me as a viewer. It almost feels like watching a puppet show, with characters appearing artificial and moving awkwardly and sometimes unnaturally. However, animation isn't everything; a compelling story could potentially make up for it. Unfortunately, I found myself struggling to keep focused. Despite being 37 (and supposedly beyond such issues), I felt bored and disconnected from what was happening on screen. The characters failed to capture my attention, and I ultimately found it challenging to make it through the first episode. In such a situation, I see no reason to force myself to continue. It's simply not the right fit for me. I dropped it after the first episode, leaving it unrated.

One of the weaker side stories within the world of TenSura. The narrative felt hasty, with new characters receiving insufficient development. In essence, there wasn't enough space for the authors to fully flesh out their intended storylines. Consequently, I view Visions of Coleus more as a promotional piece for the upcoming third season of the main anime, particularly highlighting important characters who are likely to play pivotal roles in the future. However, these character introductions, often fleeting, may not resonate strongly with anime-only viewers in the end, unlike those who follow the manga. The animation quality is decent, particularly during the battle sequences. Despite the condensed storytelling, there were still elements of merit. Overall, while it surpasses the previous OVA series, it falls short of the movie. I'd rate it a 7/10, indicating a level of enjoyment comparable to The Slime Diaries: That Time I Got Reincarnated As a Slime.

Instead of just another mediocre isekai, this is a culinary isekai, a series that works as a fantasy but also as a cooking show. The animation is done by MAPPA Studio. While the show was being aired, I saw some videos on Facebook showing how some of the cooking scenes were created by rotoscoping, and the result is incredible. The food preparation has great detail, especially in the scenes where meat is being cut. The dishes themselves look scrumptious, too. Plus, if you imagine that the meat from the orc is basically pork, the cockatrice is actually chicken, and so on, you might even get some inspiration for tomorrow's lunch. Anyway, I recommend eating something while watching, because this show will whet your appetite. However, it's not just the cooking that I enjoyed, the characters were great, too. There’s only one hero and his two monsters, but as a kind of lovely dysfunctional family, they had great chemistry and kept me entertained. In general, the atmosphere is sweet and lighthearted. Horror is only experienced by the monsters that end up on the plate. Honestly, after the first episode, I didn't even think I would enjoy a series where the main character's supernatural ability makes it possible for him to log on to "Amazon" in a fantasy world, and even get instant delivery. As the title suggests, the ability is absurd, almost to the point of being silly, but it's also very original. Not to be overly uncritical, I didn't enjoy the storyline about the goddesses very much. I didn't find it half as funny as the creators intended it to be. In general, some of the jokes were too repetitive. However, these minor flaws didn’t spoil my overall impression, so I’m not going to go below 8/10 and I would love to give it another watch sometime in the future.

I enjoyed this one a lot. It’s true that it sometimes felt like a weird combination of Konosuba and Dragon's House-Hunting; at least some of the characters strongly reminded me of these anime series. Anyway, this series soon won me over. It didn't exactly have a complicated story and its humor was based on constant misunderstandings, but there were a lot of likable characters led by the cute Reiko and the incredibly cool "great evil dragon". There was also wonderful animation full of color and a great soundtrack. Even though the episodes were only about 13 minutes long, I had a laugh or at least watched each episode with a smile on my face. I wasn't bored or annoyed with anything for a single moment. On the contrary, I looked forward to each new episode every Saturday, and the series usually got priority over many other series. 8.2/10

"Hate never leads to anything good!" Pluto is exactly what you'd expect from a collaboration between Osamu Tezuka and Naoki Urasawa. It's a fascinating exploration of humanity — what truly makes people human — and the profound impact of emotions. All of this is presented through seemingly inhuman robots who end up displaying more humanity than the average person. The series incorporates societal concerns. Tetsuwan Atom was made in the 1960s, so the name Atom itself as well as vivid depictions of war's horrors and aftermath, and even a chillingly accurate portrayal of the consequences of a planet-destroying bomb, all find their place here. This amalgamation of individual characters, the story's profound themes, and the subtle inspiration drawn from Pinocchio — all of this is Osamu Tezuka. Then there's the fantastic blend of detective thriller and drama, creating an unapologetically dense atmosphere that gradually unfolds, keeping you on the edge of your seat and occasionally sending shivers down your spine. Each character is given ample attention, with their stories meticulously developed, yet the narrative always stays focused on its core message. The story takes us through various locations like Germany, Switzerland, and even the Czech Republic. This is Naoki Urasawa's work, the genius behind one of the best detective thrillers out there — Monster (if you enjoyed Pluto, consider this a strong recommendation). Additionally, Studio M2 delivers surprisingly excellent animation, especially considering their previous work on Onihei which I liked but not because of its animation. Some scenes are almost movie-quality. If I had to nitpick, the music could have been more pronounced to enhance the overall experience. However, this is a minor critique in an otherwise outstanding series. It did take me a bit of time to fully immerse myself in the sci-fi elements and the series' earnest attempt to humanize robots. Yet, this was a personal hurdle that quickly dissipated as the story unfolded. In conclusion, Pluto was a brilliant experience — intelligent and gripping — I can only recommend it. 9/10

The second season of Pantheon offers quite an experience, culminating in an intensely gripping finale. Admittedly, the last episode ventures into abstract and intricate territory, leaving me pondering if a rewatch of the entire series would unravel its complexities — perhaps a task for the future, when my brain gets uploaded to VR... Initially, the season felt a tad sluggish, despite brimming with intriguing ideas and concepts, albeit at times overwhelming. The first few episodes lacked the same tension and thrill as the first season, occasionally recycling its own ideas. It took me three days to make it through the first half, my attention drifting as the narrative unfolded. Animation flaws, usually overlooked, occasionally caught my eye. However, the latter half, consumed in one sitting, wove everything together seamlessly. Despite the occasional need for careful attention to piece everything together, I found myself engrossed and ultimately satisfied. The final episode, reminiscent of Neo's pivotal moment in The Matrix Reloaded, left a lasting impression. Pantheon remains a hidden gem in the sci-fi genre, deserving of wider recognition. Though I may have slightly preferred the first season, especially due to the slower start of the second one, I wholeheartedly recommend the series to anyone looking for some food for thought. 8/10

The show has one massive problem — it's trying to be too many things at once. It aims to be a magical school like Hogwarts, with a sprawling dungeon akin to DanMachi. Then there's a revenge plotline reminiscent of "eminence in the shadows," all while juggling the classic clichés of another generic magical academy with slightly stereotypical characters. With numerous characters and even more plotlines, only a few of them really go anywhere in those fifteen episodes. Despite these issues, I found myself enjoying the series. The writer clearly has quite the imagination, understanding what's important for viewers when delving into a magical world. There were constant surprises, from the peculiar to the intriguing aspects of the world-building. I liked many of the show's ideas, such as the protection of magical creatures here. I particularly appreciated the plotlines centered around Vera Milligan and Ophelia Salvadori. They felt well thought out with satisfying conclusions. It's a shame that these were likely the only parts that truly went somewhere, especially since the revenge storyline, which was the most interesting, felt so sidelined. In essence, if the series had taken each idea gradually, allowing them to develop, it could have been fantastic. There's so much potential here, with many interesting aspects of this magical world. Everything the author presents is elevated to a higher level, like the flying brooms that have their own personalities and pride, so they are more like creatures than magical objects, akin to Potter's Hippogriffs. A run-of-the-mill fantasy light novel from a special academy wouldn't have come up with such intricate details! Sadly, despite my enthusiasm, the lukewarm online reactions make me doubtful about another season. I probably won't get around to the novel either, which is a shame because, unpopular opinion incoming, I'm more intrigued by where this series could go compared to another "Potter rip-off" from last season. To me, this series feels more original, interesting, magical, and well-developed than the whole Mashle, even if it loses to the second season of The Ancient Magus' Bride when it comes to authenticity and characters. It also falls short in animation quality which is average at best, with noticeable effort mainly in the first and last episodes, as well as the opening sequence. The music has its ups and downs, with some motifs fitting perfectly while others feel a bit off. Considering the rating, I wrestle with giving it a higher score, especially considering how it's been received thus far. However, I don't like adjusting scores based on what others have given, so I'll stick to my own judgment. This series isn't a 4-star for me; it's more of a hodge-podge of various ingredients — some of which intrigued me enough to warrant a 6/10.