Jeoffrey

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.

Can virtual reality save your messed-ip real-world existence? I found many of the topics intriguing, especially at the outset. I ended up binge-watching the whole series in one day, with just a couple of breaks for food. The exploration of why people escape into virtual reality was captivating, particularly focusing on the main family and their deeply rooted problems that could drive many a psychiatrist to escape reality. I also enjoyed the dive into the world of a pirate guild, which somehow made playing RPG games like a bit of a psychopath feel oddly justified. However, the series takes a turn in the second half when it delves into artificial intelligence as a central theme. It transitions into a somewhat tired and predictable scary plotline that, while well-executed, felt like a trope I last truly enjoyed back in the days of Terminator 2: Judgment Day. For me, the entire storyline with the Black Bird was more of an irritation. At times, it felt nonsensical, with twists that seemed to be there solely for the sake of shock value. I can't shake the feeling that the series would have been more enjoyable without it. I would have preferred a deeper exploration of the initial themes surrounding virtual reality, escapism, and coping with reality. Despite my gripes with the latter part of the series, I'm not angry because ever since One Piece I've liked pirate girls with a complicated life story (or smart girls in suits with chokers), which, by the way, doesn't affect my rating in any way... 6/10

They say you can tell a bad anime by the fact that no streaming service licenses it... This might not always hold true, especially in the case of Blue Orchestra. The use of 3DCGI character models during musical performances may initially deter viewers, as the execution leaves much to be desired. However, one can empathize with the challenges of animating the intricate movements of an entire orchestra. Over time, the artificiality of the computer-generated characters becomes somewhat more bearable. What slightly irked me further was the abundance of drama within the local music club, with seemingly every member grappling with major issues, internal conflicts, or interpersonal dilemmas. Yet, such complexities are intrinsic to human nature, so it's not entirely unexpected. Nevertheless, the main plot twist regarding the relationship between the two male leads felt straight out of a soap opera, and the subsequent sequences full of revelations were emotionally and dramatically excessive for my taste. I understand that many viewers may have found this narrative arc engaging, though. What I loved about this show, on the other hand, is its exploration of music itself — the analysis of individual musical pieces, insightful tidbits about composers, and the intertwining of music with emotions and storytelling culminating in a captivating concert finale. Blue Orchestra effectively captures the joys and struggles of belonging to a music club, and personally, it reignited my appreciation for classical music, a passion cultivated since my school days. I must commend the series for its strong focus on Antonín Dvořák, a nod to Czech musical heritage that always resonates with me. I appreciate the shift away from prominent figures like Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach in favor of highlighting lesser-known composers like Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, and especially Dvořák. The educational aspects of the series, including insights into European musical composition and Dvořák's fascination with steam locomotives, reminded me of the enriching music education lessons I cherished in school. In summary, Blue Orchestra serves as an educational yet engaging show, seamlessly blending music appreciation with high school drama. I'm giving it a 7.2/10, with the last two episodes being particularly enjoyable for me. I'm also happy about the announcement of a second season.

If you've ever wondered what a romantic series for boys looks like, this is it. Mahiru, the main character, is cute, patient, she spoils you more than Senko-san, cooks for you, cleans, and might even do the laundry. Even when she's angry she's just so freaking cute it will drive you crazy. To Jeoffrey, it just seems too good to be true. If he were the main character, it would take fewer than two episodes for the whole thing to fall apart... Luckily, there's Amane, who has such lousy self-esteem that he literally has to be picked up by a girl. Everything is unnaturally stretched out over twelve episodes, and just watching things develop ever so slowly will give you blue balls halfway through. And yet, the couple act as if they’ve been married for five years by about the second episode, and it stays that way until the end. There’s no drama, they just have things to say to each other, which is why half the series takes place on a couch. At one point, I was even naive enough to think that the arrival of Mahiru's mother on the scene might stir things up, like a tornado wreaking havoc in a peaceful paradise, but no way, it all fizzled out – no drama at all! It’s only about being pampered and waiting for feelings to be expressed. If this is what the Japanese are like, no wonder they have such a low birth rate. Other times you almost want to shout at the couple "Come on, get a room already!" Then again, the main character is so incredibly cute that I couldn't stop watching. "You know, I was once a young boy too...". Boys will love the show, but I’m not sure what girls will think of it. And Jeoffrey? I feel too old for this one, I found it shallow and pointless, but there was Mahiru, so I let myself be spoiled, too... 5/10

Are you a fan of petite, cute girls with curves in the right places? I do like them. I like them a lot, in fact. But what about when someone gives them a cat-like personality, complete with cat ears and a tail? Do you find it endearing? Unfortunately, I don't share the enthusiasm for cat girls or even cat cosplay. I like women, and I like cats, but the combination just doesn't do it for me. Now, how about romance in an adult setting, like an office, for example? Count me in. With the plethora of school romances out there, it's refreshing to see something that resonates more with my current stage in life. But here's where things get tricky. Do you enjoy it when adult characters behave like immature, hysterical teenagers in their romantic pursuits? Personally, it doesn't sit well with me. It feels out of place and detracts from the overall impression. Were you hoping for something along the lines of My Senpai Is Annoying? Well, unfortunately, this series falls short in comparison, weaker in nearly every aspect, at times feeling like a letdown. When I consider the hit-or-miss humor, the fact that the boss is simultaneously an annoying stalker and yet has a more intriguing and mature romantic storyline than the main couple, and the saving graces of decent animation and catchy music, Story of a Small Senior in My Company barely scrapes by with a rating of about 5.5/10 from me.

I've watched my fair share of anime, so it takes a lot to surprise me. Even when a newborn baby, tossed into the forest because they couldn't gauge its powers accurately, effortlessly takes down a massive fox with a single strike, it's just another run-of-the-mill isekai with an overpowered protagonist. Nothing special there. But then, the fox transforms into a stunning, well-endowed woman in the blink of an eye and suddenly wants the baby's sperm...? Well, that's a first! And definitely twisted and weird. Did the author study biology for this? Clearly, it was meant to be a joke, but it's more of a lesson in the show's humor. Sadly, that seems to be the peak of the author's creativity, because the subsequent episodes don't offer much originality. Instead, we're introduced to the hero's irritating new sister, who somehow decides to play the role of the eminence in shadow and then references to other anime are thrown in in a completely nonsensical manner. After three episodes, I've had my fill. The generic isekai plots mixed with occasional bizarre moments don't do it for me. It's a mix of boredom and cringe that I can't stomach. While I can appreciate a few points for originality, based on what I've seen, this series doesn't warrant more than a 3/10 from me. And no, it's not because no well-endowed fox wants any bodily fluids from me...