Jump to content

kivandopulus

Contributor
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    943

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    7

 Content Type 

Blog Entries posted by kivandopulus

  1. kivandopulus
    Sequel Druaga no Tou: The Sword of Uruk is the only contestant this small season.   1. Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger はじめの一歩 新シリーズ [Madhouse] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Shounen Combat Sports Japanese Featherweight Champion Ippo Makunouchi has successfully defended and retained his title. Meanwhile, his rival, Ichirou Miyata, has resurfaced in Japan, aiming for his own Featherweight belt in the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation. When the rest of the world comes knocking, however, will Japan's best fighters rise to the challenge and achieve glory at the top? Or will the small island nation be crushed under the weight of greater entities? This time, champions will become challengers issuing a call to the rest of the world and ready to show off their fighting spirit! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou 続 夏目友人帳 [Brain's Base] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shoujo Iyashikei, Mythology Drama, Slice of Life, Supernatural As with its prequel, Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou is about Takashi Natsume, a boy who has had the ability to see youkai since he was young, and his bodyguard youkai Madara, nicknamed Nyanko-sensei. Natsume attempts to return names written in his "Book of Friends" (which he inherited from his grandmother Reiko) to youkai in his village. Throughout these adventures, he meets some youkai that are friendly, some that want to steal the Book, and some that want to kill him, as Natsume learns about himself and his relationship with these mysterious beings along the way. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Chrome Shelled Regios 鋼殻のレギオス [Zexcs] (Finished 24/24) Tags: School Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi  In a post-apocalyptic world overrun with mutated beasts called Limbeekoon or Filth Monsters, humanity is forced to live in large mobile cities called Regios and learn to use special weapons called Dite, by harnessing the power of Kei to defend themselves. In the Academy City of Zuellni, Layfon Alseif is hoping to start a new life and forget his past. However, his past has caught the attention of Karian Loss, the manipulative Student Council President and Nina Antalk, a Military Arts student and Captain of the 17th Military Arts Platoon, who instantly recognizes his abilities and decides he’s the perfect candidate to join her group. However, with a secret past that won’t leave him alone and unknown powers beyond normal, Layfon just might not take it. Hearing about it for the first time, but after watching it I can say for sure - it's not a masterpiece. It tries to combine elements from a lot of notable shows and all that eclecticism is killing its potential.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Asu no Yoichi! Samurai Harem 明日のよいち！ [AIC] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, Martial Arts Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Yoichi Karasuma has spent all of his life in the mountains, training in the Soaring Wind, Divine Wind swordsmanship style. Under his father’s guidance, he is able to master the technique at the age of 17. With nothing left to learn, Yoichi is sent to a new dojo located in the city so he can continue to train and gain an understanding of modern society. Unfortunately, Yoichi has no idea how to act or speak to anyone in the present day and acts like a samurai, complete with odd speech and traditional clothing. As he goes to live with the Ikaruga sisters at the dojo, Yoichi, clueless on how to interact with others, is constantly hurtled in hilarious misunderstandings. Asu no Yoichi! follows Yoichi as he stumbles through his new life and tries to learn how to live in the modern world with his new family. It's pretty much what you imagine. Redneck samurai gets to civilization and everyone falls for him, then it's a typical romcom comedy.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Maria†Holic まりあ†ほりっく [Shaft] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Crossdressing, Parody, School Comedy, Girls Love In search of true love, Kanako Miyamae transfers to Ame no Kisaki Catholic school, inspired by how her parents fell in love with each other there. There is just one difference, though: because men make Kanako break into hives, she has actually come to the all-girls school to find a partner of the same sex. When she meets the beautiful Mariya Shidou, Kanako believes she has found that special someone; however, there's more to Mariya than meets the eye—it turns out that Kanako's first love is actually a cross-dressing boy. Mariya threatens to expose Kanako's impure intentions unless she keeps his real gender a secret, and to make things worse, he also replaces her original roommate so that he can now keep a close eye on her. Maria†Holic follows Kanako as she looks for love in all the wrong places and searches for the girl of her dreams—that is, if she can survive being Mariya's roommate! Finally the unserious girls love, but I can't describe these overreactions as comedy, no fun in that.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Akikan! アキカン! [Brain's Base] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Anthropomorphic Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi Hobbies are often a great way of meeting new people, but how could Kakeru Daichi, who collects rare juice cans, have ever suspected that he'd meet a fascinating new girl when he attempted to DRINK her? Naming her Melon, because she's got great melon... soda, Kakeru quickly learns that she's an Akikan—a beautiful girl who's also a special can created to fight other Akikans in a strange experiment to determine what kind of container is better: steel or aluminum! Will becoming involved in this ridiculously twisted research project gone amuck complicate Kakeru's life incredibly? Of course it will, but because Melon's steel body needs carbon dioxide to breathe, he's now stuck with her since she's too CO2 dependent! And when his wealthy, attractive, best childhood friend Najimi gets HER own aluminum Akikan, the trouble really begins! Nice ecchi cohabitation with a girl, but it's hard to call this collection of stamps a masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Kurokami The Animation 黒神 The Animation [Sunrise] (Finished 6/23) Tags: Seinen Martial Arts, Super Power Action High school student Ibuki Keita has been haunted by misfortune for as long as he can remember. For no apparent reason, everyone around him dies tragically. Ultimately, he refuses to become too close to anyone, even his childhood friend Akane. This leaves Keita alone in a life full of misery and disgrace. While eating at his favorite ramen shop one evening, Keita meets a strange young girl named Kuro. Possessing abilities that surpass that of a normal human being, Kuro classifies herself as a Mototsumitama. She explains to Keita about "Terra," a life-energy force split between three identical looking people; a global phenomenon dubbed the "Doppeliner System." As a Mototsumitama, Kuro guards the "Coexistence Equilibrium," the beings that protect the flow of Terra around the world. Keita refuses to believe her story, until he is caught up in the crossfire of this hidden world. On the verge of death, he makes a contract with Kuro, unbeknownst to its true meaning. Now he is bound to Kuro, and must be with her at all times. Could Keita's misfortune possibly get any greater? Concept is copycat of Shana with alterations, characters aren't empathetic, enemies are rather poor and belonging to some mysterious organization as usual. Quality is ok, but it all feels bland and not interesting.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. White Album ホワイトアルバム [Seven Arcs] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Harem, Idols (Female), Music Drama, Romance Can a relationship between a regular college student and an idol singer survive? That is the question that White Album tries to answer. Touya Fujii is a normal college student with normal worries—namely balancing his classes and his job he works to pay for school. He is also concerned about the amount of time he has to spend with Yuki Morikawa, or rather, the lack of it. Being an up and coming idol singer, Yuki has concerns of her own. Even though she's not yet as popular as experienced veteran Rina Ogata, Yuki is turning heads and landing interviews on television. This should be a good thing, but not everyone is happy about the attention she receives from the media and from Rina. The idol industry is surprisingly cutthroat, and rival singers have their eyes on Yuki. While it may seem exciting to watch your girlfriend on television, how does Touya really feel about all this? Between the challenges associated with Yuki's career and other people that Touya meets at his university, their relationship may not last… All developments at once with naïve protagonist who happens to cheat on everyone is painful to watch, and it's far from masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Kemono no Souja Erin The Beast Player Erin 獣の奏者エリン [Production I.G, Trans Arts] (Finished 17/50) Tags: Drama, Fantasy  In the land of Ryoza, the neighboring provinces of Shin-Ou and Tai-Kou have been at peace. Queen Shinou is the ruler of Ryoza and her greatest general, Grand Duke Taikou, defends the kingdom with his army of powerful war-lizards known as the "Touda." Although the two regions have enjoyed a long-standing alliance, mounting tensions threaten to spark a fierce civil war. Within Ake, a village in Tai-Kou tasked with raising the Grand Duke's army, lives Erin, a bright girl who spends her days watching the work of her mother Soyon, the village's head Touda doctor. But while under Soyon's care, a disastrous incident befalls the Grand Duke's strongest Touda, and the peace that Erin and her mother had been enjoying vanishes as Soyon is punished severely. In a desperate attempt to save her mother, Erin ends up falling in a river and is swept towards Shin-Ou. Unable to return home, Erin must learn to lead a new life with completely different people, all while hunting for the truth of both beasts and humanity itself, with tensions between the two regions constantly escalating. It feels as if World Masterpiece Theater made a fantasy series. Naïve small girl experiences village life and finally goes to an adventure only after a whole third is behind.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Shikabane Hime: Kuro Corpse Princess: Kuro 屍姫 玄 [Gainax, feel.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Action, Horror, Supernatural A direct continuation of Shikabane Hime: Aka, taking place six months after Tagami Keisei's death at the hands of the Shichisei (Seven Stars), a group of elite Shikabane who act on more than just regrets. As per Keisei's dying wish, Kagami Ouri formed a temporary contract with Makina to save her from degenerating into a Shikabane. Since then, Ouri's been training to become a proper monk so that he can remain contracted to Makina and help her fight against the Shichisei -- the ones who originally killed Makina, the entire Hoshimura family, and now Keisei. However, the traitorous monk Shishidou Akasha has sided with the Shichisei in an attempt to destroy all Shikabane Hime and the entire monk organization that uses them -- Kougon Sect. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Druaga no Tou: The Sword of Uruk Tower of Druaga: The Sword of Uruk ドルアーガの塔 ～the Sword of URUK～ [Gonzo] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy  With broken spirits and enigmatic questions that hold no answers lingering, Jil is still trying to figure everything out. Then, a mysterious girl named Kai appears before him and says: "Take me to the top of the tower." Kai's request shrouded in ambiguity, Jil will have another chance to work towards completing his destiny and ascend the Tower. With his hopes and aspirations seemingly slipping out of his hands, Jil must rise to the challenge once again on this never-ending adventure. A worthy continuation with filling the leftover gaps even though with somewhat artificial story.   Overall Rating: 8/10   12. Major S5 メジャー [SynergySP] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen Team Sports The Baseball World Cup is nearing, and Gorou Honda is eager to represent his country. However, one small problem stands in his way: the team roster has already been selected, and he is not a part of it. Nonetheless, Gorou remains adamant to join. He becomes a practice pitcher for the Japanese national team, hoping to demonstrate his incredible speed and skills to the team's manager. Fortunately, Gorou is given the chance to prove his worth: he must show an impressive performance in the upcoming practice match involving the veteran Japanese team and the young players who hope to replace them. The World Cup will bring together some of the strongest players from around the globe. It will also set the stage for Gorou's long-awaited showdown with his longtime rival, Joe Gibson. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Minami-ke Okaeri みなみけ おかえり [asread.] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Seinen CGDCT, School Comedy, Slice of Life A year has passed since Okawari and the three sisters have grown up. Their likings and moods are almost the same. Haruka, the older sister, is a love-giving mother to the younger sisters and a discipline follower. Kana, the middle one, leaves everything to the last possible moment and always gives trouble to the trio. Chiaki, the little one, is the calculating and manipulating one; she likes to be admired and loved by Haruka and always gives trouble to the less blessed Kana. Despite being an unbalanced family, they love each other with all their heart. The family's daily life is as funny as ever; trouble and love are always present. Now it's time to see if they'll survive this age change since Haruka is now a young adult; she has even more responsibilities, having to watch over the young while integrating into the adult life. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Tetsuwan Birdy Decode:02 Birdy the Mighty: Decode 02 鉄腕バーディー DECODE:02 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi Following the Ryunka disaster, Tokyo is left in a period of social turmoil. To make matters worse, the group of aliens directly responsible for the catastrophic event have escaped from the Space Federation and are hiding on Earth. Still sharing a body, Space Federation officer Birdy Cephon Altera, and high schooler, Tsutomu Senkawa, are tasked with capturing the fugitives and bringing them to justice. However, an unexpected crisis develops when the outlaws become targets of an unknown assassin with a vendetta. Now Birdy must deal with the chaos of everyday life and also uncover the identity of the assassin before more escapees fall victim. Sequel that does not get better, sadly, but another great catchy OP.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. RideBack ライドバック [Madhouse] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen Mecha, School Action, Drama, Sci-Fi In the future, an organization called the GGP has taken control of the world. Rin Ogata was a promising up-and-coming ballet dancer, but suffered a serious injury while dancing and decided to quit. Years later in college, she comes across a club building and soon finds herself intrigued by a transforming motorcycle-like robotic vehicle called a "Rideback". She soon finds that her unique ballet skills with balance and finesse make her a born natural on a Rideback. However, those same skills also get her into serious trouble with the government. Racing on mecha is still just racing which inevitably inherits all the genre flaws.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Sora wo Miageru Shoujo no Hitomi ni Utsuru Sekai 空を見上げる少女の瞳に映る世界 [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 9/9) Tags: Super Power Action, Fantasy, Romance To save both the Magical Kingdom and the Heavens and restore the flow of akuto, the flow of energy of everything, the Magical King Munto must follow a vision and find the girl Yumemi in the normal world. Yumemi herself is just a normal girl except that she is the only one who can see the islands of the Heavens floating above. When Munto appears before her she starts thinking about hers and others responsibility to the world. Same story is retold for the 3rd time, and it's not even that good of a story, and it's still quite confusing.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Slayers Evolution-R スレイヤーズ EVOLUTION-R [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy To find a way in rescuing Pokota's country Taforashia which was sealed by Rezo, Lina and her group are in search for the Hellmaster's jar in what the Red Priest placed his soul after death. Zelgadis is willing to do anything to get the jar for changing back into a human while Zuuma is plotting on revenge and accomplishing assignment in killing Lina Inverse. Still a big mystery for her and the others is what Xellos is aiming for in this battle. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Sora wo Kakeru Shoujo The Girl Who Leapt Through Space 宇宙をかける少女 [Sunrise] (Finished 3/26) Tags: Space Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi The story is set in the year 311 of the Orbital Calendar, when humanity has migrated to countless colony clusters in space. A space colony girl named Akiha Shishidou encounters a malevolent artificial intelligence named Leopard that has been installed on a colony. Akiha is joined by an Inter-Colony Police officer named Itsuki Kannagi, a taciturn young girl named Honoka Kawai, and a robot named Imoko "Imo-chan" Shishidou. Sunrise fails again with original scenario. Genre is... variety as it is based on fast succession of something happening just to entertain. This is all very strange and not funny.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Maria-sama ga Miteru 4th Maria Watches Over Us Season 4 マリア様がみてる〜４th〜 [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/13) Tags: School Drama, Girls Love Yumi and the Yamayuri Council have found two new helpers in Kanako and Toko. Unfortunately, their assistance comes with tension, as neither girl is particularly fond of the other and both seem likely candidates to be Yumi's petite soeur. Will either be a good fit for Yumi? As the school year marches on, the work for the Yamayuri Council piles up, and pressure begins to mount for Yumi to make her final decision. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Fresh Precure! フレッシュプリキュア！ [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/50) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Comedy, Fantasy Love Momozono is a 14-year-old student at Yotsuba Junior Highschool that tends to care more for others than for herself. One day she visits a show of the famous dance unit "Trinity" and decides to become a dancer, too. On the same event, subordinates of the Labyrinth Kingdom show up who want to collect the unhappiness of the audience. Love gets the power to change into Cure Peach and fights them. Soon after, she is joined by her good friends Miki, who is Cure Berry, and Inori, who becomes Cure Pine. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Genji Monogatari Sennenki Millennium Old Journal: Tale of Genji 源氏物語千年紀Genji [TMS Entertainment, Tezuka Productions] (Finished 2/11) Tags: Historical Drama, Romance Born from a much loved, but lowly ranked concubine, Genji Hikaru is called the Shining Prince and is the beloved second son of the Emperor. Although he cannot be an heir to the throne of his father, Genji spends his life surrounded by every pleasure and love. And yet, his one longing in love is something that even the power of an Emperor can never give him. I find it useful only in education purposes if you never heard of 11th century novel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Viper's Creed ヴァイパーズ・クリード [AIC Spirits, Digital Frontier] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Military Action, Sci-Fi The story revolves around the members of a private military company (PMC), and the uneasy tension between them and the regular military after a war that caused massive environmental destruction. A serious and decent micro-mecha action that still can't be called a masterpiece, because story and characters don't stand out.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Examurai Sengoku エグザムライ戦国 [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 2/24) Tags: Martial Arts, Samurai Action, Sci-Fi The Examurai Sengoku anime production depicts the members of the EXILE group as futuristic samurai that are transported back in time to Japan’s sengoku (warring states) period. The anime character renditions of the EXILE members were designed by manga creator Hiroshi Takahashi (Crows, Worst). Not translated to English (only to German). Episodes are only ten minutes long, and realization is as of mediocre samurai show that we've seen a lot over this time.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Denpa-teki na Kanojo Electromagnetic Girlfriend 電波的な彼女 [Brain's Base] (Finished 2/2) Tags: School Mystery, Suspense Delinquent Juu Juuzawa is a lone wolf who does not see much use in befriending people. So when a girl named Ame Ochibana claims they are linked together from their previous lives, he is highly skeptical and doesn't want anything to do with her. Even stranger is that her fondest wish is to be his servant. Thinking that Ame must be delusional, he tries to distance himself from her. But when a classmate is murdered, Juu instead decides to keep her close, believing the strange girl to be the culprit. However, her intelligence and skill begin to prove invaluable as the two begin working together to solve the murder. Denpa-teki na Kanojo weaves together a story of love, loss, and devotion, showing that allies can be found in the most unlikely of places. Yay... murder mystery in two episodes... All that sadism makes me sick.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Ichigo Mashimaro Encore Strawberry Marshmallow Encore 苺ましまろencore [Daume] (Finished 2/2) Tags: CGDCT, Iyashikei Comedy, Slice of Life Ichigo Mashimaro encore is a two-episode OVA continues onwards from the previous set of OVAs of Ichigo Mashimaro. Great again, and again less than an hour overall, so can't rate as high as original.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Dokuhaku Suru Universal Yoko Mercator Egg Man Monologues of Universal Transverse Mercator Egg Man 独白するユニバーサル横メルカトル Egg Man [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Detective Mystery, Suspense A psychopathic killer known as Egg Man has been caught, incarcerated and is awaiting his death sentence. Karen, a beautiful and brave police woman, is assigned to the "Egg Man" case to find the whereabouts of a missing dead body. Egg Man meets his cellmate, Prisoner 205. Who is Prisoner 205? Is Prisoner 205 another in-mate awaiting his death sentence as well or an android utilized by the police to collect information about him and his knowledge of the corpse? Who is really manipulating whom? Not translated, and there's nothing but talks in this machinima, so unwatchable at this state.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Kara no Kyoukai Remix: Gate of Seventh Heaven The Garden of Sinners Remix: Gate of Seventh Heaven 空の境界 Remix -Gate of seventh heaven- [ufotable] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Super Power Action, Mystery, Romance, Suspense In August of 1995, Mikiya Kokutou meets a young kimono-clad woman named Shiki Ryougi. When he finds out that they go to the same school, he attempts to befriend her. Though her upbringing is unconventional and she herself is strange, Mikiya is not deterred, and Shiki gradually opens up to him. But Mikiya's life will be changed forever by this simple meeting, and in ways that he never imagined, as he begins to see a deadly side to his new friend... Compilation from previous episodes with a shallow attempt to tie all that loose texture. Guess compilation is all that fans deserve for finale.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Denshinbashira Elemi no Koi Elemi 電信柱エレミの恋 [Sovat Theater] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Award Winning, Fantasy  Elemi, known as a responsible hard worker, is one of many utility poles servicing a small city. One day during maintenance, she is emotionally touched by Takahashi, the young man who repairs her. She decides to thank him and begins calling him regularly, masquerading as a human. Days go by and soon all the utility poles in the city are aware of Elemi's budding romance. Elder utility poles urge her to put an end to it. Even if Elemi is able to win the blessing of her society, she still has to face the challenge of revealing her true identity to Takahashi. In a time before cell phones, when all calls were carried by utility poles, Denshinbashira Elemi no Koi tells the story of the tragic romance between a utility pole and and a utility worker. A plasticine cartoon reflecting on inability to have children with a telephone pole... pretty weird even for the Japanese.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Je Bul Chal-ssi Iyagi The Story of Mr. Sorry 제불찰씨 이야기 [Korean Academy of Film Arts] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Comedy, Fantasy, Horror  An unprecedented media show is on air at a TV broadcasting studio. The show is asking people whether a spider that drove an assemblyman crazy should be publicly executed or not. The spider in question is Je Bul-chal(meaning 'my mistake'), a hardworking young individual who became 'an ear cleaner' because of a precious memory he holds concerning his sister. In order to take a poll about his execution, the story of how Mr. Sorry became a spider is gradually revealed. Crudely animated Korean social commentary story.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Pyuu to Fuku! Jaguar: Ima, Fuki ni Yukimasu ピューと吹く! ジャガー ～いま, 吹きにゆきます～ [Kaeruotoko Shokai] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Gag Humor, Music Comedy The story follows a hapless budding guitarist nicknamed "Piyohiko" who gets steered into the music business by a mysterious man named Jaguar — if Piyohiko would play a recorder instead of a guitar. Not translated to English. Ugly, random, not funny.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  2. kivandopulus
    Not a single title that I deem worthy. If I needed to choose from the rest, it'd probably be Nisemonogatari .   1. Another アナザー [P.A. Works] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Gore, School Horror, Mystery, Supernatural In class 3-3 of Yomiyama North Junior High, transfer student Kouichi Sakakibara makes his return after taking a sick leave for the first month of school. Among his new classmates, he is inexplicably drawn toward Mei Misaki—a reserved girl with an eyepatch whom he met in the hospital during his absence. But none of his classmates acknowledge her existence; they warn him not to acquaint himself with things that do not exist. Against their words of caution, Kouichi befriends Mei—soon learning of the sinister truth behind his friends' apprehension. The ominous rumors revolve around a former student of the class 3-3. However, no one will share the full details of the grim event with Kouichi. Engrossed in the curse that plagues his class, Kouichi sets out to discover its connection to his new friend. As a series of tragedies arise around them, it is now up to Kouichi, Mei, and their classmates to unravel the eerie mystery—but doing so will come at a hefty price. Watched it before, but it's easily forgettable, boring, with lackluster ending and loopholes like most mysteries.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. High School DxD ハイスクールD×D [TNK] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem, Mythology, School Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi High school student Issei Hyoudou is your run-of-the-mill pervert who does nothing productive with his life, peeping on women and dreaming of having his own harem one day. Things seem to be looking up for Issei when a beautiful girl asks him out on a date, although she turns out to be a fallen angel who brutally kills him! However, he gets a second chance at life when beautiful senior student Rias Gremory, who is a top-class devil, revives him as her servant, recruiting Issei into the ranks of the school's Occult Research club. Slowly adjusting to his new life, Issei must train and fight in order to survive in the violent world of angels and devils. Each new adventure leads to many hilarious (and risqué) moments with his new comrades, all the while keeping his new life a secret from his friends and family in High School DxD! The first association with ecchi is High School DxD for me. Tried to watch it several times, but inevitably dropped during this first season. Plot is pretty much usual Shana, plus fanservice.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou Daily Lives of High School Boys 男子高校生の日常 [Sunrise] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Gag Humor, School Comedy Roaming the halls of the all-boys Sanada North High School are three close comrades: the eccentric ringleader with a hyperactive imagination Hidenori, the passionate Yoshitake, and the rational and prudent Tadakuni. Their lives are filled with giant robots, true love, and intense drama... in their colorful imaginations, at least. In reality, they are just an everyday trio of ordinary guys trying to pass the time, but who said everyday life couldn't be interesting? Whether it's an intricate RPG reenactment or an unexpected romantic encounter on the riverbank at sunset, Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou is rife with bizarre yet hilariously relatable situations that are anything but mundane. After Kimi to Boku something like this was inevitable. Focus here is on humor, but since everyone here is an idiot, humor is corresponding... but should be enjoyable if you get to like this humor.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Nisemonogatari 偽物語 [Shaft] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Comedy, Mystery, Supernatural, Ecchi  Surviving a vampire attack, meeting several girls plagued by supernatural entities, and just trying to get through life are some of the things high school student Koyomi Araragi has had to deal with lately. On top of all this, he wakes up one morning to find himself kidnapped and tied up by his girlfriend Hitagi Senjougahara. Having run afoul of Deishuu Kaiki, a swindler who conned Senjougahara's family, she has taken it upon herself to imprison Araragi to keep him safe from the con man. But when Araragi gets a frantic message from his sister Karen, he learns that the fraud has set his sights on her. Along with Karen's troubles, his other sister, Tsukihi, is having issues of her own. And when two mysterious women who seem to know more than they should about Araragi and his special group of friends step into their lives, not even he could anticipate their true goals, nor the catastrophic truths soon to be revealed. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Inu x Boku SS Inu X Boku Secret Service 妖狐×僕SS [David Production] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Mythology Comedy, Romance, Supernatural  Ririchiyo Shirakiin is the sheltered daughter of a renowned family. With her petite build and wealthy status, Ririchiyo has been a protected and dependent girl her entire life, but now she has decided to change all that. However, there is just one problem—the young girl has a sharp tongue she can't control, and terrible communication skills. With some help from a childhood friend, Ririchiyo takes up residence in Maison de Ayakashi, a secluded high-security apartment complex that, as the unsociable 15-year-old soon discovers, is home to a host of bizarre individuals. Furthermore, their quirky personalities are not the strangest things about them: each inhabitant of the Maison de Ayakashi, including Ririchiyo, is actually half-human, half-youkai. But Ririchiyo's troubles have only just begun. As a requirement of staying in her new home, she must be accompanied by a Secret Service agent. Ririchiyo's new partner, Soushi Miketsukami, is handsome, quiet... but ridiculously clingy and creepily submissive. With Soushi, her new supernatural neighbors, and the beginning of high school, Ririchiyo definitely seems to have a difficult path ahead of her. Butlers, super agents and supernatural powers kill most of the fun for me from the start and same cringy moves that are supposed to be humor just aren't.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Zero no Tsukaima F The Familiar of Zero F ゼロの使い魔F [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Isekai Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi  Saito Hiraga and Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière go on the offensive after the events of Zero no Tsukaima: Princesses no Rondo. Together, they face off against King Joseph in the Holy City of Romalia with the help of two others who control the power of the "void." But in the midst of the many conflicts ahead of them, an ancient evil begins to stir in the shadows. Will their close bonds blossom into something more or will they be shattered through the ever increasing difficulty of the tasks that they must undertake? Zero no Tsukaima F follows the story of Louise and Saito as they face their final challenges together. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Ano Natsu de Matteru Waiting in the Summer あの夏で待ってる [J.C.Staff] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Love Polygon Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi While testing out his camera on a bridge one summer night, Kaito Kirishima sees a blue light streaking across the sky, only to be blown off the railing seconds later. Just before succumbing to unconsciousness, a hand reaches down to grab ahold of his own. Dazed and confused, Kaito wakes up the next morning wondering how he ended up back in his own room with no apparent injuries or any recollection of the night before. As he proceeds with his normal school life, Kaito and his friends discuss what to do with his camera, finally deciding to make a film with it over their upcoming summer break. Noticing that Kaito has an interest in the new upperclassmen Ichika Takatsuki, his friend Tetsurou Ishigaki decides to invite her, as well as her friend Remon Yamano, to join them in their movie project. In what becomes one of the most entertaining and exciting summers of their lives, Kaito and his friends find that their time spent together is not just about creating a film, but something much more meaningful that will force them to confront their true feelings and each other. A quite habitual plot of alien girl becoming a transferred student and stealing all the attention and clinging to protagonist so all the other girls start to pay a lot more attention to protagonist as well. All that's left is multiple situations on the theme. And despite ok characters, can't call it particularly interesting.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Black★Rock Shooter (TV) ブラック★ロックシューター [Ordet, SANZIGEN] (Finished 8/8) Tags: Mahou Shoujo, Super Power Action, Drama On the first day of junior high school, Mato Kuroi happens to run into Yomi Takanashi, a shy, withdrawn girl whom she immediately takes an interest in. Mato tries her best to make conversation with Yomi, wanting to befriend her. At first, she is avoided, but the ice breaks when Yomi happens to notice a decorative blue bird attached to Mato's phone, which is from the book "Li'l Birds At Play." Discovering they have a common interest, the two form a strong friendship. In an alternate universe, the young girls exist as parallel beings, Mato as Black★Rock Shooter, and Yomi as Dead Master. Somehow, what happens in one world seems to have an effect on the other, and unaware of this fact, the girls unknowingly become entangled by the threads of fate. OVA was very hasty and forced, so I'd say ignore OVA. So two teenagers worry about slightest things and transform them into fierce battles in the alternative universe. All this melodrama resembles Persona to me.  Well, I could not care less. All this teenager psycho can be summarized by phrase from last episode "You don't understand me at all"! Grow up, I guess.  Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Natsume Yuujinchou Shi Natsume's Book of Friends Season 4 夏目友人帳 肆 [Brain's Base] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shoujo Iyashikei, Mythology Drama, Slice of Life, Supernatural Takashi Natsume, the timid youkai expert and master of the Book of Friends, continues his journey towards self-understanding and acceptance with the help of friends both new and old. His most important ally is still his gluttonous and sake-loving bodyguard, the arrogant but fiercely protective wolf spirit Madara—or Nyanko-sensei, as Madara is called when in his usual disguise of an unassuming, pudgy cat. Natsume, while briefly separated from Nyanko-sensei, is ambushed and kidnapped by a strange group of masked, monkey-like youkai, who have spirited him away to their forest as they desperately search for the Book of Friends. Realizing that his "servant" has been taken out from right under his nose, Nyanko-sensei enlists the help of Natsume's youkai friends and mounts a rescue operation. However, the forest of the monkey spirits holds many dangerous enemies, including the Matoba Clan, Natsume's old nemesis. Stretching from the formidable hideout of the Matoba to Natsume's own childhood home, Natsume Yuujinchou Shi is a sweeping but familiar return to a world of danger and friendship, where Natsume will finally confront the demons of his own past. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai! Listen to Me, Girls. I Am Your Father! パパのいうことを聞きなさい！ [feel.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Childcare Comedy, Romance Yuuta Segawa has just started his freshman year of university. One day, his sister Yuri, who raised him after their parents died, asks him to take care of her daughters Hina, Sora and Miu while she and her husband go overseas on a business trip. Yuuta grudgingly accepts, but tragedy strikes when their plane goes missing and all passengers are presumed dead. In an effort to prevent the three girls from being split up, Yuuta goes against their family and takes them in, just as his sister took him in when he had no one else. Now the four find themselves in a new and peculiar situation: Yuuta must learn how to balance his new responsibilities—as the newest member of the Street Observation Research Society, a club for people watching, and also as a father figure—while Sora, Miu, and Hina come to terms with the loss of their parents. It comes after Usagi Drop, it has typical protagonist and two girls of similar age, so it becomes a light cute comedy. I remember trying it and probably dropping or not remembering it after beginning anyway.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Amagami SS+ Plus アマガミSS+ plus [AIC] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Harem, School Romance In the aftermath of Amagami SS, high school student Junichi Tachibana continues his relationships with the girls at his school. Amagami SS+ Plus offers a glimpse into what happened after the resolution of each girl's individual story. New events begin to take place between each of the girls and Junichi. Tsukasa Ayatsuji, the class representative, runs for student council president; Rihoko Sakurai, who has taken over the Tea Club with Junichi, still wants to confess her feelings to him; Ai Nanasaki questions the future of her relationship with Junichi when he leaves for college; Kaoru Tanamachi wonders if her relationship with Junichi will ever go any further; Sae Nakata and Junichi deal with classmates who still can't believe that someone so cute is his girlfriend; and Haruka Morishima wants to take their relationship to the next level and get married. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Brave 10 ブレイブ・テン [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Historical, Samurai, Super Power Action, Adventure Isanami, a young priestess of Izumo, is forced to watch as a group of evil ninja burn her temple to the ground and slaughter the people within, leaving her no choice but to flee into the forest to escape the same fate. By chance, she stumbles upon Saizou Kirigakure, a masterless ninja from the Iga school. The two travel to Ueda Castle to ask Yukimura Sanada for help. Isanami's possession of a strange and devastating power is revealed, and Sanada readily agrees to help her, gathering ten brave warriors to Isanami's side. Thus begins Brave 10, a story set in the Warring States period. It follows Saizou and Isanami's journey throughout the war-laden lands in search of brave warriors to serve under Yukimura's banner, each possessing powerful skills of their own. They'll have to travel far and wide, all while trying to fend off those who would chase after the dark power that she possesses to make it their own. I don't believe that ninja anime can be good, plus supernatural abilities and real warring states don't go together well. Don't see anything besides typical ninja action here and don't want to go further.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Kill Me Baby キルミーベイベー [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Gag Humor, School Comedy  Kill Me Baby is the touching story of Yasuna, a normal (?) high school girl, and Sonya, her best friend who happens to be an assassin. Unfortunately, little Sonya's trained assassin instincts often work against her and others in her daily high school life, as Yasuna's often-broken wrist can attest to. She just wanted a hug, but she ended up with a broken neck. Isn't it sad? No, it's hilarious. Not even Yasuna's intense ninja training can prepare her for the exciting adventures in this explosive 4-panel manga adaptation. Fast succession of yonkomas, so such random gag humor is indigestible for me without actual story.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Senki Zesshou Symphogear Symphogear 戦姫絶唱シンフォギア [Satelight, Encourage Films] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Action, Sci-Fi Tsubasa Kazanari and Kanade Amou—the idol duo known as Zwei Wing—use their songs to power ancient weapons known as "symphogears" to combat a deadly alien race called the "Noise." While the general public is aware of the Noise's existence, knowledge of the symphogears are kept a secret. When the Noise attack one of Zwei Wing's concerts, Kanade sacrifices herself to protect a young girl named Hibiki Tachibana, leaving Tsubasa devastated and a fragment of her symphogear embedded within Hibiki. Two years pass and Hibiki is once again dragged into a Noise attack. While rescuing a young girl who has been left behind during the evacuation, she awakens the power of Kanade's symphogear lying within her. Although Tsubasa still grieves over the loss of Kanade, both girls must now learn to work together using their powers to defend humanity against the Noise. Generic macross without mecha. Maybe it's for girls, I dunno...   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Aquarion Evol アクエリオンEVOL [Satelight, 8bit] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Mecha Action, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi 12,000 years after the events in Genesis Aquarion, humans live on the star Vega under constant threat of trans-dimensional beings called Abductors. These enemies originate from Vega’s sister star Altair and raid Vega for human life. As a countermeasure, an organization known as Neo-DEAVA formed to combat the Abductors. They pilot advanced mecha suits called Aquaria and are strictly separated by gender. Boys and girls are not allowed contact; they are even restrained from fighting on the same battlefield. However, events take a shocking turn when an advanced Abductor mecha suit joins the fray. Two teenagers, Mikono and Amata, are dragged into the conflict. Unknowingly, Amata performs a taboo when he summons an Aquaria and initializes what is called the Forbidden Union between male and female Aquaria. Neo-DEAVA is shocked, and the repercussions of Amata’s actions are much farther reaching than he realizes. How was he able to summon an Aquaria? Where did he learn to form a Forbidden Union? And why was Mikono also able to pilot the mecha suit? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Area no Kishi The Knight in the Area エリアの騎士 [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/37) Tags: Shounen School, Team Sports Comedy Kakeru and Suguru are brothers who both have a flaming passion for soccer. However, while Suguru becomes a rising star in the Japanese youth soccer system, Kakeru decides to take on a managerial role after struggling on the field. But due to a cruel twist of fate, Kakeru ends up reevaluating the role he has chosen. In hopes of one day being able to enter the World Cup by becoming a member of the national team, Kakeru trains harder than anyone else. He isn’t alone in this quest for glory, though. Kakeru's childhood friend, Nana, is a soccer prodigy of her own, with the wicked nickname “Little Witch”. She is a top-ranked player and is already playing for Nadeshiko Japan, the Japanese women’s national team. Nana's success gives Kakeru the extra push he needs to reach for his goals. Soccer and adolescent fervor combine for an epic, emotional ride. Check it out for yourself in Area no Kishi! Another quite simple spokon with something remotely resembling humor.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Mouretsu Pirates Bodacious Space Pirates モーレツ宇宙海賊 [Satelight] (Finished 2/26) Tags: Space Award Winning, Sci-Fi Far in the future, where interstellar travel is considered commonplace, high school student Marika Katou balances her duties in the space yacht club and her job as a restaurant waitress. Following a chance encounter with a peculiar pair of customers, Marika meets them again and learns that her absent father has passed away. During his life, he was known as the legendary pirate "Gonzaemon." He has left behind his infamous ship Bentenmaru and its crew exclusively for Marika to inherit. With one of the few remaining Letters of Marque that permit legal piracy, Marika must choose whether to stay as a regular student or take up a second life as a high-octane space pirate. As Marika ponders her decision, the delicate situation attracts the eyes of various government agencies and the mysterious transfer student Chiaki Kurihara, all eager to see if the upcoming captain lives up to her father's reputation. If the crew of the Bentenmaru want to maintain their status, they will need to set sail into the vast expanse of space and once again become a name to be feared. Wow, inheriting legal pirate license sounds... cringy. So it's basically school SOL, but in the alternative world with space travel and habituated planets. It's slow-paced, so it hopes to engage viewers with rich world, details, characters and fun adventures. But for me it's pure boredom.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Rinne no Lagrange Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne 輪廻のラグランジェ [Xebec] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Mecha Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi Madoka Kyouno is an energetic girl who is full of passion. As the proud, and only, member of the Kamogawa Girls' High School Jersey Club, she goes around helping people in need. Madoka's life is turned upside down when she is suddenly asked by a mysterious girl named Lan to pilot a robot. Motivated by her desire to protect the people and city of Kamogawa, Madoka agrees to pilot the resurrected Vox robot to fight against extraterrestrials that have come to attack Earth. Pretty average Xebec mecha which inevitably means bad.   Overall Rating: 5/10   19. Shin Tennis no Oujisama The Prince of Tennis II 新テニスの王子様 [Production I.G, M.S.C] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shounen School Sports Ryouma Echizen is one of 50 nationally ranked middle school tennis players to receive an invitation for the Japan U-17 tennis training camp. Previously open only to high school players, the exclusive regiment trains the best players in the country for the upcoming U-17 World Cup. The high schoolers are not pleased that these middle schoolers are allowed into the camp, but the middle schoolers easily overwhelm them before they are halted by the coaches. The rules of the camp are soon explained: the players are split into one of 16 courts based on skill, with the best players occupying Court 1. Players move up and down courts based on "shuffle matches" that occur before practice begins each day. In anticipation of a game, the middle schoolers are asked to pair up with one another, only to find out that they would not be playing doubles with their partners. Instead, they are pitted against each other in a tiebreaker-style game. The winner of the match would be allowed to stay to further develop their skills whereas the loser would be sent home. For the sake of tennis, friendships and camaraderie are all put on the line. As the fierce competition between the middle and high schoolers persists, the situations they find themselves in goes deeper than just playing to remain in the camp. Sequel.    Overall Rating: 5/10   20. Smile Precure! Glitter Force スマイルプリキュア [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/48) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Fantasy To teenager Miyuki Hoshizora, fairy tales are a world of wondrous encounters and happy endings. Inspired by her love for these stories, she lives every day searching for happiness. While running late on her first day of school as a transfer student, Miyuki meets Candy—a mysterious fairy from the world of fairy tales, Märchenland. However, when Candy disappears as quickly as she appeared, Miyuki is left believing the encounter was only a dream. After an eventful first day, Miyuki finds a mysterious library at school. While combing through the bookshelves, she is transported next to Candy, who claims to be searching for the so-called legendary warriors, Precure. When forced to protect Candy's and everyone else's happiness, Miyuki transforms into "Cure Happy," one of the Precure warriors! As Cure Happy, Miyuki is now tasked with finding the other legendary warriors and protecting the world from destruction, all while possibly discovering her very own happy ending. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Thermae Romae テルマエ・ロマエ [DLE] (Finished 3/3) Tags: Seinen Historical, Time Travel Comedy Lucius Modestus, an ancient Roman architect, finds himself job-hunting due to having trouble coming up with new ideas. As his demeanor and personality become dismal, his friends try taking him to a bathhouse for him to relax. Unable to unwind in the bustling and crowded bath, Lucius dips his head in the water. Down there, he finds a secret tunnel that transports him to a modern-day Japanese bathhouse, providing him the inspiration he needed to make a new creation. Loaded with what seems to be knowledge way ahead of his time, Lucius does his best to try and recreate his findings, usually inferior in quality due to his circumstances. However, the sheer ingenuity may be just enough to gain the attention of the citizens and regain his reputation as an architect. To get even remotely interesting it needed to get out of its way, but this anime is deliberately crude and amateurish and silly gags-centric.   Overall Rating: 5/10   22. Tantei Opera Milky Holmes Dai 2 Maku Detective Opera Milky Holmes 2 探偵オペラ ミルキィホームズ 第2幕 [J.C.Staff, Artland] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Super Power Comedy, Mystery Second season of Tantei Opera Milky Holmes. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Kimi no Iru Machi: Tasogare Kousaten A Town Where You Live: Crossing at Twilight 君のいる町 黄昏交差点 [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Shounen School Drama, Romance Eba Yuzuki has mysteriously decided to go to high school in the countryside. But despite Kirishima Haruto's objections, she is living in his home. Now he has to put up with a freeloading city girl and even worse, make sure Kanzaki Nanami, the girl he likes, doesn't get the wrong idea! So this is a serious love triangle in form of two episodes. Decent at best.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Holy Knight Holy Knight (ホーリーナイト) [] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Seinen School, Vampire Fantasy, Ecchi The story centers around a timid orphan named Mizumura Shinta who goes to a missionary school in Tokyo. His seemingly normal life changes when a beautiful half-human Romanian girl named Lilith suddenly transfers into his school. Mizumura discovers that he is actually a vampire hunter and the successor of the Romuald lineage. Just as setting is paved, it's already time for an abrupt ending, so not cool.   Overall Rating: 5/10   25. Minori Scramble! みのりスクランブル!  [ufotable] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Comedy  Tamaki is an elementary school girl. Her father Dr. Yagiyama loves penguins and his excessive lectures about penguins makes Tamaki hate them. In order to get rid of her hatred of penguins, he engineers the penguin-roid "Minori". Tamaki and Minori run about the neighborhood to solve troubles caused by her father. Cute random short comedy.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Strike Witches Movie Strike Witches: The Movie ストライクウィッチーズ 劇場版 [AIC] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Military Action, Sci-Fi, Ecchi After fending off the threat of a Neuroi invasion of Romagna and destroying the enemy's nest over Venezia, Yoshika Miyafuji goes back to her home town in the Empire of Fusou. Despite the loss of her magical and healing abilities, the former officer of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing wants to continue studying medicine. This is in order to help those in need, both civilians and those on the front lines alike. She receives an invitation from a prestigious school in Europe and decides to accept the offer, embarking on a journey back to the war-torn continent. However, a new danger arises, as more and more Neuroi manage to break through human defense lines, appearing unnoticed in supposedly safe areas and disturbing the balance of power in Europe. Yoshiki's sense of duty collides with her inability to pilot a Striker Unit, but with her friends in peril, it seems that there is only one thing she can do. Bland movie with four small battles against aliens and lots of patsushots in-between, because wearing skirts in this world must be an offences as no one does that.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. .hack//The Movie: Sekai no Mukou ni .hack//The Movie セカイの向こうに [CyberConnect2, Anima] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Video Game Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi In 2024, the computer network prevails throughout daily life. Sora Yuuki is a 14-year-old girl. One day, she is invited to an online game "The World". After an accident in the game, the real world begins to deform. Full CGI is a big minus. Contents is a bit better than usual due to epic confrontation by the end and its link with the real life electricity blackout. Still, too hectic and overall is not that different from the previous titles, thus skippable.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Dragon Age: Blood Mage no Seisen Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker ドラゴンエイジ -ブラッドメイジの聖戦- [Oxybot] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Fantasy  In a time of darkness and barbarism, the Chantry has arisen - a religious order seeking to bring stability to a world corrupted by sinister magic. Led by the Divine, the Chantry's Templar warriors ruthlessly restrain the Mages and their magical cabals. But when the Templars fail, the most elite order of the Chantry takes charge - the Seekers! I'm quite the fan of Dragon Age franchise, so imagine my surprise. Full CGI, sadly. Story is nothing big - just reacting on happening events.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Magic Tree House マジック・ツリーハウス [Ajia-do] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Time Travel Adventure Based on The Magic Tree House series, award winning series of children books written by American author Mary Pope Osborne. Time and space travel through using books... collecting four medallions in different eras... and all that in a kids book...   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. s.CRY.ed Alteration II: Quan スクライド オルタレイション 後編 ＱＵＡＮ [Sunrise] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Super Power Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Second part of the s.CRY.ed recap. At least some kind of twist happens in the second half, but it's beyond salvation by this point already.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  3. kivandopulus
    No Game No Life is an ultimately enjoyable anime. Also I call honorary masterpieces Ping Pong the Animation , Mangaka-san to Assistant-san to The Animation and Sidonia no Kishi .   1. No Game No Life No Game, No Life ノーゲーム・ノーライフ [Madhouse] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Isekai, Strategy Game Comedy, Fantasy, Ecchi  Sixteen sentient races inhabit Disboard, a world overseen by Tet, the One True God. The lowest of the sixteen—Imanity—consists of humans, a race with no affinity for magic. In a place where everything is decided through simple games, humankind seems to have no way out of their predicament—but the arrival of two outsiders poses a change. On Earth, stepsiblings Sora and Shiro are two inseparable shut-ins who dominate various online games under the username "Blank." While notorious on the internet, the pair believe that life is merely another dull game. However, after responding to a message from an unknown user, they are suddenly transported to Disboard. The mysterious sender turns out to be Tet, who informs them about the world's absolute rules. After Tet leaves, Sora and Shiro begin their search for more information and a place to stay, taking them to Elkia—Imanity's only remaining kingdom. There, the duo encounters Stephanie Dola, an emotional girl vying for the kingdom's sovereignty. In desperation, she attempts to regain her father's throne, but her foolhardiness makes her goal unachievable. Inspired by the girl's motivation and passion, Sora and Shiro decide to aid Stephanie in getting Elkia back on its feet, ultimately aiming to become the new rulers of the enigmatic realm. It's definitely an enjoyable piece of art, but it's not finished and can't compared it to genius masterpieces in enjoyment. But can call it thought-provoking, so it deserves a 9..   Overall Rating: 9/10   2. Haikyuu!! ハイキュー!! [Production I.G] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen School, Team Sports Ever since having witnessed the "Little Giant" and his astonishing skills on the volleyball court, Shouyou Hinata has been bewitched by the dynamic nature of the sport. Even though his attempt to make his debut as a volleyball regular during a middle school tournament went up in flames, he longs to prove that his less-than-impressive height ceases to be a hindrance in the face of his sheer will and perseverance. When Hinata enrolls in Karasuno High School, the Little Giant's alma mater, he believes that he is one step closer to his goal of becoming a professional volleyball player. Although the school only retains a shadow of its former glory, Hinata's conviction isn't shaken until he learns that Tobio Kageyama—the prodigy who humiliated Hinata's middle school volleyball team in a crushing defeat—is now his teammate. To fulfill his desire of leaving a mark on the realm of volleyball—so often regarded as the domain of the tall and the strong—Hinata must smooth out his differences with Kageyama. Only when Hinata learns what it takes to be a part of a team will he be able to join the race to the top in earnest. I'm surprised to learn that there is such a popular anime about volleyball. But all I see is better than usually done shounen spokon with characters that I don't like, nothing really exceptional.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Part 3: Stardust Crusaders JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders ジョジョの奇妙な冒険 スターダストクルセイダース [David Production] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Supernatural Years after an ancient evil was salvaged from the depths of the sea, Joutarou Kuujou sits peacefully within a Japanese jail cell. He's committed no crime yet demands he not be released, believing he's been possessed by an evil spirit capable of harming those around him. Concerned for her son, Holy Kuujou asks her father, Joseph Joestar, to convince Joutarou to leave the prison. Joseph informs his grandson that the "evil spirit" is in fact something called a "Stand," the physical manifestation of one's fighting spirit which can adopt a variety of deadly forms. After a fiery brawl with Joseph's friend Muhammad Avdol, Joutarou is forced out of his cell and begins learning how to control the power of his Stand. However, when a Stand awakens within Holy and threatens to consume her in 50 days, Joutarou, his grandfather, and their allies must seek out and destroy the immortal vampire responsible for her condition. They must travel halfway across the world to Cairo, Egypt and along the way, do battle with ferocious Stand users set on thwarting them. If Joutarou and his allies fail in their mission, humanity is destined for a grim fate. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei The Irregular at Magic High School 魔法科高校の劣等生 [Madhouse] (Finished 8/26) Tags: School Action, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi In the dawn of the 21st century, magic, long thought to be folklore and fairy tales, has become a systematized technology and is taught as a technical skill. In First High School, the institution for magicians, students are segregated into two groups based on their entrance exam scores: "Blooms," those who receive high scores, are assigned to the First Course, while "Weeds" are reserve students assigned to the Second Course. Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei follows the siblings, Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba, who are enrolled in First High School. Upon taking the exam, the prodigious Miyuki is placed in the First Course, while Tatsuya is relegated to the Second Course. Though his practical test scores and status as a "Weed" show him to be magically inept, he possesses extraordinary technical knowledge, physical combat capabilities, and unique magic techniques—making Tatsuya the irregular at a magical high school. I remember liking the beginning and characters, but it got stale and boring eventually as interest in the possible story developments got lost. It seemed to have all the right cards, but it did not work out for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Fairy Tail (2014) Fairy Tail Series 2 FAIRY TAIL（フェアリーテイル） [A-1 Pictures, Bridge] (Finished 1/102) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Fantasy The Grand Magic Games reaches its climax following Natsu Dragneel and Gajeel Redfox's stunning victory over Sting Eucliffe and Rogue Cheney of the Sabertooth guild. This success pushes the Fairy Tail guild closer to being crowned the overall champions, but obtaining victory isn't the only challenge they face. A mystery still surrounds a hooded stranger and the ominous Eclipse Gate, leaving more questions than answers. More crazy adventures are on the horizon for Fairy Tail as their destructive antics and joyful rowdiness continue unabated. Their greatest trial is quickly approaching, but united as a family, the guild will always be ready to face any threat that comes their way. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Black Bullet ブラック・ブレット　BLACK BULLET　［黒の銃弾］ [Kinema Citrus, Orange] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi  In the year 2021, a parasitic virus known as "Gastrea" infects humans and turns them into monsters. What is left of mankind now lives within the Monolith walls, walls that are made of Varanium, the only material that can hurt Gastrea. To counter the threat that the Gastrea pose, "Cursed Children"—female children whose bodies contain trace amounts of the virus which grant them superhuman abilities—officially called Initiators by the Tendo Civil Security, are given partners called Promoters, people who work to guide and protect the young Initiators. These teams of two are sent out on missions to fight the monsters created by the Gastrea virus and keep them at bay. Black Bullet revolves around the team of Enju Aihara, an Initiator, and Satomi Rentaro, a Promoter, as they go on missions to fight the growing threat of Gastrea in their hometown of Tokyo. I remember dropping it, because it was too unserious and ridiculous to my taste. It just does not live up to expectations and disappoints on the way.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Date A Live II デート・ア・ライブⅡ [Production IMS] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Harem, Mecha, School Action, Romance, Sci-Fi Spirits are otherworldly entities with immense power, capable of creating spatial quakes whenever they appear. One way of dealing with them is through brute force and killing them... or making them fall in love and sealing their powers. Having sealed three Spirits, Shidou Itsuka continues his mission with Ratatoskr in locating more spirits and dating them, to ensure the world's safety from further destruction. However, this time around, their problems will not be limited to Spirits as a more imposing threat seems to have noticed their activities. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Mekakucity Actors メカクシティアクターズ [Shaft] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Super Power Sci-Fi, Supernatural On the hot summer day of August 14, Shintarou Kisaragi is forced to leave his room for the first time in two years. While arguing with the cyber girl Ene who lives in his computer, Shintarou Kisaragi accidentally spills soda all over his keyboard. Though they try to find a replacement online, most stores are closed due to the Obon festival, leaving them with no other choice but to visit the local department store. Venturing outside makes Shintarou extremely anxious, but the thought of living without his computer is even worse. It's just his luck that on the day he finally goes out, he's caught in a terrifying hostage situation. Luckily, a group of teenagers with mysterious eye powers, who call themselves the "Mekakushi Dan," assist Shintarou in resolving the situation. As a result, he is forced to join their group, along with Ene. Their abilities seem to be like pieces of a puzzle, connecting one another, and as each member's past is unveiled, the secret that ties them together is slowly brought to light. It's abstract and pretentious, plus each episode has different characters who probably meet by the end in some combined story. Basically, I just don't care about these characters and these stories - they are plainly not interesting.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Ping Pong the Animation ピンポン THE ANIMATION [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Seinen Award Winning, Drama, Sports Despite being polar opposites, Makoto "Smile" Tsukimoto and Yutaka "Peco" Hoshino have been best friends since childhood. Although the overly confident Peco strives to be the best ping-pong player in the world, he often skips practice, earning the ire of his fellow teammates on the Katase High School ping-pong team. Meanwhile, Smile—in spite of his innate talent for the sport—cannot help but hold back his full strength when playing against others. Through their mutual love for ping-pong, the two have developed a bond that is seemingly unbreakable. When Peco hears that an ex-national team player from China is coming to Japan, he drags Smile over to rival Tsujido High School to observe them. The subsequent trip leads to a clash between Peco and Kong Wenge, who overwhelmingly defeats the former in one game. Stunned by such a comprehensive loss, Peco finds himself questioning why he plays to begin with. Seeing his potential as a player, Katase's coach begins to train Smile to overcome his hesitation, but he is reluctant to play if it is not for enjoyment. As the two struggle to find meaning in the sport, a plethora of stronger players—each with their own internal strifes—await them at the inter-high tournament, where only the very best can persevere. But when these young athletes let their unbridled ambition go unchecked, the hardships they face paint a somber reality as they pursue glory. I skipped it before thinking it's another spokon, but I heard in podcasts that it's not usual spokon and that it's unique in what it does, so here I am. It's more about backgrounds and motivations and paths and relations, but I keep comparing it with old The Ping-Pong club anime which seem to have a lot of roots for this one. Anyway, it's short and meaningful, it deserves a honorary masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 7/10   10. Bokura wa Minna Kawai-sou The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior 僕らはみんな河合荘 [Brain's Base] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Romantic Subtext, School Slice of Life Kazunari Usa is a high school freshman who will start living alone due to his parents now working in a different area. Excited for his new independent life, he hopes to go about his teenage days without the worry of dealing with any strange people, but as he soon discovers, his new boarding house Kawai Complex is far from ordinary. The various tenants at Kawai Complex are all quite eccentric characters. Shirosaki, Kazunari's roommate, is a pervert and masochist; Mayumi Nishikino, a borderline alcoholic office lady, hates couples because of her unfortunate luck with men; and Sayaka Watanabe, a seemingly innocent college student, enjoys leading men on. Shocked with the lack of decent individuals at his new residence, Kazunari is about to leave when he runs into shy senior student Ritsu Kawai and finds himself slowly falling in love with her. Maison Ikkoku is a pretty good setting, so it was only a matter of time till it inspired a similar work. I probably dropped it on the way, but don't remember where or why, so it's time to finish it. And now I get the reasons - this show is slow, aimless. repetitive and somewhat immature. Protagonists in modern anime are much more realistic and complex.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Hitsugi no Chaika Chaika -The Coffin Princess- 棺姫のチャイカ [Bones] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance  For 500 years, the Taboo Emperor, Arthur Gaz, ruled the Gaz Empire with an iron fist and conducted inhumane experiments on his own people. But his reign came to an end five years ago, when mighty warriors—later known as the Eight Heroes—defeated him in a battle for the capital. His death ended the 300-yearlong war between the Gaz Empire and the alliance of six nations. In the present day, Tooru Acura is a former saboteur from the war who has difficulty settling into the peaceful world, as he cannot find a job where he can put his fighting skills to use. An opportunity appears before him, however, when he meets a white-haired Wizard named Chaika Trabant. With a coffin on her back, she is searching for the scattered remains of her father in order to give him a proper burial, and she hires Tooru and his adoptive sister Akari to help her. However, the six nations alliance, which have now formed the Council of Six Nations, dispatches Albéric Gillette and his men from the Kleeman Agency to pursue and apprehend the late Emperor Gaz's daughter—Chaika. With the shocking revelation of Chaika's identity, the Acura siblings must choose between helping her gather the remains of the tyrannical emperor and upholding the peace the continent strives to maintain. I remember dropping it after first episode, because pilot is disastrous. But it gets to be just above average fantasy travel anime. With such story and quite bland characters there's not much to expect or enjoy.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Gokukoku no Brynhildr Brynhildr in the Darkness 極黒のブリュンヒルデ [Arms] (Finished 4/13) Tags: Seinen Super Power Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi Venturing into the wilderness, the skeptical Ryouta Murakami and the ambitious Kuroneko were on a quest to prove the existence of extraterrestrial life when a tragic accident occurred, reaping Kuroneko of her life and leaving Ryouta in a critically injured state. Ten years have passed since the disaster, and Ryouta is now living a normal life in high school. He vows to prove that aliens are real in honor of his late friend. A transfer student named Neko Kuroha unexpectedly arrives one day, bearing a striking resemblance to the late Kuroneko—even sharing a similar name. Most mysteriously, she seems to possess supernatural powers. As Ryouta takes more interest in Neko, he is drawn into a deadly world where dangerous scientists hunt magic-wielding witches that have escaped from their secret research laboratory. Neko is one of these escapees, but there are many others who are in similar situations, and it's up to Ryouta to protect them from their would-be captors. This time mystery is about runaway magician girls who can foresee future. My old self dropped it early, but can't find anything worthwhile in it to go on either .   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Isshuukan Friends. One Week Friends 一週間フレンズ。 [Brain's Base] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen School Comedy Sixteen-year-old Yuuki Hase finally finds the courage to speak to his crush and ask her if she wants to become friends. The object of his affection, Kaori Fujimiya, is a quiet and reserved girl who cuts herself off from everyone and does not spare him the same blunt rejection she gives everybody else. Some time after, Yuuki finds her eating lunch on the roof where she secludes herself during break. He decides to start meeting with Kaori every day in the hopes of beginning to understand her better. The more time they spend together, the more she begins to open up to him. However, nearing the end of the week, she starts to push him away once more. It is then revealed to him the reason for Kaori's cold front: at the end of the week, her memories of those close to her, excluding her family, are forgotten, as they are reset every Monday. The result of an accident in middle school, the once popular and kind Kaori is now unable to make friends in fear of hurting the people dear to her. Determined to become more than just one week friends, Yuuki asks her the exact same question each Monday: "Would you like to be friends?" Because he knows that deep down, Kaori wishes for that more than anything. Cycled amnesia is super bad and cheesy way to execute romance ... I could never understand the appeal and never liked such works .   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Soredemo Sekai wa Utsukushii The World is Still Beautiful それでも世界は美しい [Pierrot] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shoujo Adventure, Fantasy, Romance In the Sun Kingdom, sunshine is part of its citizens' everyday lives, and rain is something that they have never even heard of. However, in a faraway land called the Rain Dukedom, the weather is reversed, and everybody has the power to create rain with their voices. Livius Ifrikia has conquered the entire world and expanded the Sun Kingdom's influence in the three short years since he was crowned king. Upon learning about the powers to create rain, Livius decides to marry Nike Remercier, one of the princesses of the Rain Dukedom. However, those outside the Sun Kingdom have spread a rumor that Livius is a cruel, ruthless, and tyrannical ruler, and as word reaches the princess, she begins to prepare herself for the worst. But when she finally meets her fiancé, Nike discovers that he is an entirely different person from what she originally expected. Of course I dumped it before, because it's just fantasy romance in artificial kingdoms. I require something more substantial.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Mushishi Zoku Shou Mushi-shi: Next Passage Part 1 蟲師 続章 [Artland] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Historical, Iyashikei Adventure, Mystery, Slice of Life, Supernatural Perceived as strange and feared by man, over time the misshapen ones came to be known as Mushi. Although they harbor no ill intentions towards humans, many suffer from the side effects of their existence and strange nature; exploiting the Mushi without understanding them, even unintentionally, can lead to disaster and strife for any involved. Mushishi Zoku Shou continues the story of Mushishi Ginko on his journey to help the visible world to coexist with the Mushi. During his travels, Ginko discovers various gifted individuals—those cursed by circumstance and those maintaining a fragile symbiosis with the Mushi—inevitably confronting the question of whether humanity, talented and tortured alike, can manage the responsibility of the unseen. Moreover, as a Mushishi, Ginko must learn more about these strange beings and decide if he has the right to interfere with the complex relationships between Mushi and mankind. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Mangaka-san to Assistant-san to The Animation The Comic Artist and His Assistants マンガ家さんとアシスタントさんと THE ANIMATION [Zexcs] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Harem Comedy, Ecchi Yuuki Aito is a perverted manga artist who appreciates panties, wishing to draw as many as he can. Being surrounded by numerous female assistants, he is constantly asking to use them as references for the manga he draws. Although Aito has an extremely degenerate mind, he can also be a very kind, generous, and helpful person. The duality of his behavior confuses his assistants—do they love the considerate side of him that he rarely displays, or do they hate him for the perverted thoughts he has most of the time? It's half-length episodic silly comedy, but I have really positive recollections, probably because I like the theme and characters here. Can't ignore the fact that I enjoy it substantially.   Overall Rating: 7/10   17. Akuma no Riddle Riddle Story of Devil 悪魔のリドル [Diomedéa] (Finished 3/12) Tags: High Stakes Game, School Action, Girls Love, Suspense Tokaku Azuma has just transferred to the elite Myoujou Academy, a private girls' boarding school. But there's a catch: she, along with 11 of her fellow students in Class Black, is an assassin taking part in the challenge to kill their sweet-natured classmate, Haru Ichinose. Whoever succeeds will be granted their deepest desire, no matter the difficulty or cost. However, each assassin only gets one chance; if they fail to kill her, they will be expelled. Despite the extraordinary reward, Tokaku decides to take a different course of action. Though Haru is her target, the young assassin soon finds herself drawn to the very girl she is supposed to kill. With the entire class out for Haru, Tokaku refuses to let her friend die, vowing to protect her from a growing bloodlust. It's pretty straightforward - 11 assassins are enough to fill 10 episodes, plus two for intro. I require some special mood to enjoy such assassin action. But just comparing to other battle royales, it does not stand out much.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Love Live! School Idol Project 2nd Season Love Live! School Idol Project 2 ラブライブ! School idol project 2期 [Sunrise] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Idols (Female), Music, School Award Winning, Slice of Life Otonokizaka High School has been saved! Despite having to withdraw from the Love Live!, the efforts of μ's were able to garner enough interest in their school to prevent it from being shut down. What more, following the conclusion of the first, a second Love Live! is announced, this time on an even larger stage than before. Given a chance for redemption, the nine girls come together once more to sing their hearts out and claim victory. However, with the end of the school year approaching, the graduation of the third years draws near. As they attempt to reach the top of the Love Live!, they must also consider their future and choose what path the group will take. Though the question of whether to continue without the third years or disband weighs heavily on the minds of its members, μ's must quickly come to an answer with graduation right around the corner. Love Live! School Idol Project 2nd Season continues the story of the girls as they laugh, cry, sing, and dance in their journey to determine the future of their group and conquer the Love Live! in their last chance to win with all nine girls together. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Ryuugajou Nanana no Maizoukin Nanana's Buried Treasure 龍ヶ嬢七々々の埋蔵金 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 2/11) Tags: Adventure, Mystery, Supernatural  Nanae Island is a man-made island in the Pacific Ocean that holds everything necessary for the proper education and training of children. It was created by the Great Seven, a group of adventurers headed by Nanana Ryuugajou, as a place for the young to chase their dreams. After being disowned and exiled by his family, high school student Juugo Yama arrives on this island, happy to finally be free of his father. Upon moving into his new room, he discovers the ghost of Nanana Ryuugajou, bound to the island after her unsolved murder 10 years ago. Nanana tells Juugo that, just before her death, she hid items with unique and mysterious powers all across the island—items known as the Nanana Collection. Hoping to uncover clues that will help him find the culprit behind her death, Juugo, with the help of self-proclaimed "Master Detective" Tensai Ikkyuu and her cross-dressing maid Daruku Hoshino, sets out on his search. Modern full of traps treasure-hunting done by pupils looks... very weird. Add to this supernatural detective mystery, trap, puzzles and ghosts and it becomes evident that I can't bear this nonsense for long.   Overall Rating: 5/10   20. Gochuumon wa Usagi desu ka? Is the Order a Rabbit? ご注文はうさぎですか？ [White Fox] (Finished 2/12) Tags: CGDCT, Iyashikei, Workplace Slice of Life Kokoa Hoto is a positive and energetic girl who becomes friends with anyone in just three seconds. After moving in with the Kafuu family in order to attend high school away from home, she immediately befriends the shy and precocious granddaughter of Rabbit House cafe's founder, Chino Kafuu, who is often seen with the talking rabbit, Tippy, on her head. After beginning to work as a waitress in return for room and board, Kokoa also befriends another part-timer, Rize Tedeza, who has unusual behavior and significant physical capabilities due to her military upbringing; Chiya Ujimatsu, a waitress from a rival cafe who does everything at her own pace; and Sharo Kirima, another waitress at a different cafe who has the air of a noblewoman despite being impoverished. With fluffy silliness and caffeinated fun, Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka? is a heartwarming comedy about five young waitresses and their amusing adventures in the town they call home. When it comes to cute girls doing moe stuff, K-On is the measure, and this rabbit whatever falls short in comparison.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Sidonia no Kishi Knights of Sidonia シドニアの騎士 [Polygon Pictures] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Mecha, Space Action, Sci-Fi After destroying Earth many years ago, the alien race Gauna has been pursuing the remnants of humanity—which, having narrowly escaped, fled across the galaxy in a number of giant seed ships. In the year 3394, Nagate Tanikaze surfaces from his lifelong seclusion deep beneath the seed ship Sidonia in search of food on the upper levels, only to find himself dragged into events unfolding without his knowledge. When the Gauna begin their assault on Sidonia, it's up to Tanikaze—with the help of his fellow soldiers and friends Shizuka Hoshijiro, Izana Shinatose, and Yuhata Midorikawa—to defend humanity's last hope for survival, and defeat their alien foes. Sidonia no Kishi follows Tanikaze as he discovers the world that has been above him his entire life, and becomes the hero Sidonia needs. I always enjoyed Knights of Sidonia. It's that rare mecha that does not feel like mecha. But nine years later I see more shortcomings here, so I'll settle with borderline masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 7/10   22. Seikoku no Dragonar Dragonar Academy 星刻の竜騎士 [C-Station] (Finished 2/12) Tags: School Comedy, Fantasy, Ecchi  Learning to ride and tame dragons comes easy to most students at Ansarivan Dragonar Academy—except for first-year student Ash Blake, who is known by his fellow classmates as the "number one problem child." Poor Ash is the laughing stock at school because, despite his unfashionably large star-shaped brand that marks him as a future dragon master, he has nothing to show for it. His dragon has never appeared. Until now, that is. One fateful day, Ash's dragon awakes in full glory, but appears different than any dragon ever seen before—in the form of a beautiful girl! What's worse, Ash soon discovers that this new dragon has attitude to spare, as she promptly informs him that she is the master, and he, the servant. Ash's problems with dragon riding have only just begun. Just altered Zero no Tsukaima with more fanservice and darkness involved. It failed to catch my interest both then and now.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Soul Eater NOT! ソウルイーターノット！ [Bones] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen School Action, Comedy, Fantasy Soul Eater NOT! is a spin-off and side story that takes place one year prior to the events of the original Soul Eater. At the Death Weapon Meister Academy, humans born with the power to transform into weapons and those with the power to wield these weapons (Meisters) train to hone their natural talent. The characters of the main series are enrolled in the Especially Advantaged Talent class, where they train to become warriors of justice capable of defeating what threats prey on innocent lives—or even the entire world. Other students at the DWMA are less talented. Members of the Normally Overcome Target class focus less on being warriors of justice and more on controlling their powers so they don't hurt themselves or anyone around them. Tsugumi Harudori, a new halberd-transforming student, meets Meisters Meme Tatane and Anya Hepburn and quickly grows indecisive about which of the two new friends should be her partner. As they learn to use these powers and settle in, their lives as everyday students will be far from normal. Sequel or spin-off or whatever. Never liked Soul Eater to begin with, not enjoying SOL in this silly universe either.   Overall Rating: 5/10   24. Kanojo ga Flag wo Oraretara If Her Flag Breaks 彼女がフラグをおられたら [Hoods Entertainment] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance  In visual novels, an imaginary flag is defined as an event that serves as a turning point for the whole story. A player triggering the romance flag for a heroine will proceed to her route, or a death flag will signify that a certain character will die afterwards. High school student Souta Hatate can see these flags above a person's head, and has the ability to bring them down to stop certain events from happening. Using this power, he has prevented other people's deaths. But, after a past accident with him as a sole survivor, he ended up believing that only misfortune will befall those who are near him, and has refrained from making friends or having relationships ever since. However, everything starts to change after transferring to a new school. After toppling another death flag, his classmate Nanami Knight Bladefield notices his powers and tries to learn more about him, promising that she will remain at his side no matter what may happen. Thus begins Souta's journey as he meets new friends and acquaintances while uncovering the mysteries of his ability—which might run deeper than what anyone expects. Protagonist with foreseeing superpower becomes popular at school and gathers all kinds of lolis around. There aren't many good harems, and among them it's quite ok.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Dragon Ball Kai (2014) Dragon Ball Z Kai: The Final Chapters ドラゴンボール改 [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/61) Tags: Shounen Martial Arts, Super Power Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy Remastered version of the Majin Buu saga that adheres more to the manga's story. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Selector Infected WIXOSS  [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/12) Tags: High Stakes Game, Psychological, Strategy Game Suspense Things are not always what they seem. This is especially true for Ruuko Kominato, when she receives a deck of cards for the popular card game WIXOSS, only to find a girl trapped inside her LRIG, or avatar card. Upon meeting others in the same situation, Ruuko discovers that she has now become a "Selector," a player in a special version of WIXOSS where girls can battle each other for a chance to have their deepest desires come true. However, there is a catch. In contrast to the glory that awaits them after their victories, there is a cruel fate: if they lose three times, their lives will be destroyed. In an ominous game filled with lies and deceit, Ruuko and her newfound friends must uncover the secrets behind WIXOSS and realize what is truly most important to them before it is too late. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   27. Baby Steps ベイビーステップ [Pierrot] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen School Sports Diligent and methodical honor student Eiichirou Maruo decides to exercise more during the little free time he has available because he is worried about his health. For this reason, after seeing a flyer, he joins the Southern Tennis Club at the beginning of his freshman year. During his free trial at the club, he meets Natsu Takasaki, another first year student, who is determined on becoming a professional tennis player due to her love for the sport. In contrast, Eiichirou's study-oriented life exists because he believes that it is what he has to do, not because he enjoys it. However, his monotonous days come to an end as the more he plays tennis, the more he becomes fascinated by it. Baby Steps is the story of a boy who makes the most of his hard-working and perfectionist nature to develop his own unique playing style. Little by little, Eiichirou's skills begin to improve, and he hopes to stand on equal footing with tennis' best players. Since Hajime no Ippo concept has not changed, so it just gets applied to different sports, but this one is lighter and with super-nerdy protagonist.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Initial D Final Stage 頭文字 D Final Stage [SynergySP] (Finished 1/4) Tags: Seinen Racing  In the final match against the Kanagawa street racing team Sidewinder, Project D street racer Takumi Fujiwara is faced with a surprising challenger: Shinji Inui, a 17-year-old high school student. Beginning to drive at a very young age, Shinji is not only familiar with the mountain pass where the race is taking place, but he also drives a Toyota AE86—the same car model Takumi uses. Initially reluctant to participate due to a lack of enthusiasm, Shinji becomes motivated after witnessing the fiery battle between Keisuke Takahashi and Gou Houjou. Undefeated in his home course known as the Tsubaki Line, Shinji might prove to be Takumi's most formidable opponent yet. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Blade & Soul ブレイドアンドソウル [Gonzo] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Martial Arts Action, Adventure, Fantasy Alka is an assassin for the Clan of the Sword. She's on a journey to find the woman Jin Valel, who killed her master Hon without feeling—not unlike how Alka has learned to kill in her work as an assassin. On her journey, Alka encounters three strange women, each a great warrior in her own right and grapples with her slain master's wish that she leaves the life of an assassin behind. I remember that I liked action and gore here, but overall it was a big letdown with story , characters and lots of things that did not make much sense.   Overall Rating: 6/10   30. Break Blade Broken Blade ブレイク ブレイド [Production I.G, Xebec] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Adult Cast, Mecha, Military Action, Fantasy In the continent of Cruzon, an impending war between the Kingdom of Krisna and the nation of Athens is brimming. The people of this land are able to use quartz for whatever purpose they desire. Yet one person, Rygart Arrow, is not. He is an "un-sorcerer," a person unable to use quartz. But this characteristic will enable him to pilot an ancient Golem, one strong enough to put up a fight against the invading army of Athens. Six movies were short, under 50 minutes each, so it fits well into 12 episodes. It was above average in every aspect, and don't see much change in the series.   Overall Rating: 6/10   31. Kenzen Robo Daimidaler Daimidaler: Prince vs. Penguin Empire 健全ロボ ダイミダラー [TNK] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Mecha Action, Comedy, Ecchi Battles continue between "Penguin Empire", the mysterious life form which arrived on earth all of a sudden, and "Beauty Salon Prince", the secret anti-Penguin organization. In order to fight Penguin Empire's gigantic "Penguin Robot", Beauty Salon Prince has developed their ultimate weapon, "Daimidaler", and is now looking for the pilot. They choose Koichi Madanbashi, a hot-blooded high school boy who is mad about big boobs, because he is the factor of "Hi-ERo particles", the source of unknown energy. Ecchi and mecha has always been a trashy mix, but adding parody to it makes it a crazy circus that I don't want to be part of.    Overall Rating: 5/10   32. Captain Earth キャプテン・アース  [Bones] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Mecha, Space Action, Romance, Sci-Fi One night, right before summer vacation, Manatsu Daichi, a second-year in high school, sees a weird round rainbow floating in the sky above Tanegashima and ventures there alone. He has seen this rainbow before. With the memories of his father's mysterious death and an encounter of a strange boy and girl, Daiji arrives on the island while the alarm of a building labeled Earth Engine is going off. Someone asks him if he is a captain, just as robotic intruders from Uranus called Kill-T-Gang arrive. The battle around the shining stars is about to begin. Feels like generic compilation mecha with stereotypical characters, and nothing here makes me want to explore it past pilot episode.   Overall Rating: 6/10   33. Yu☆Gi☆Oh! Arc-V Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V 遊☆戯☆王　アーク・ファイブ ARC-V [Gallop] (Finished 1/148) Tags: Shounen Strategy Game Action, Fantasy Action Duels, which allow duelists to soar and swing alongside their Duel Monsters, are taking the world by storm. Due to an evolutionary breakthrough, the "Solid Vision" system is now able to provide Duel Monsters with mass. Yuuya Sakaki is Yuusho Sakaki's son, the latter being the founder of You Show Duel School in Miami City. Yuusho insists that duels are not a tool of war, but rather are to bring smiles to people and thus introduced the concept of Entertainment Dueling. However, at the height of his fame, Yuusho disappears and fails to attend his duel with Strong Ishijima, the Action Duel champion. Although scarred by this sudden leave, Yuuya vows to become an Entertainment Duelist like his father. Several years later, in the midst of a battle with Strong Ishijima, Yuuya's desperation to win brings forth a miracle. His pendant begins glowing, turning his cards into Pendulum Cards, which enables him to perform a Pendulum Summon—a summoning method unknown to the world and himself—gaining him fame overnight. As a result, Reiji Akaba, CEO of Leo Corporation and founder of the elite Leo Duel School, starts producing new Pendulum Cards to incorporate Pendulum Summoning into the system. Thus, the mysteries that surround Pendulum Summoning and Yuuya's father start to unravel, and Yuuya learns bit by bit what it takes to become an Entertainment Duelist. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   34. Escha & Logy no Atelier: Tasogare no Sora no Renkinjutsushi エスカ&ロジーのアトリエ ～黄昏の空の錬金術士～ [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Fantasy  This world has gone through many Dusks, and is slowly nearing its end. Within this world, in the western reaches of the "Land of Dusk," there was a nation that prospered thanks to its use of alchemy. There, in order to survive the eventual arrival of the "Dusk End," the people devoted their efforts to rediscover and recreate lost alchemic technologies. Rediscovered technology from the past era was gathered in the alchemy research city known as "Central," where research was conducted on how to halt the advance of the twilight. One of the heroes is a young man who researched alchemy in Central, the other a girl living in a small town on the frontier. This girl's name is Escha. In the process of using her knowledge of ancient alchemy to help others, she was assigned to the Development Department. The young man's name is Logy. Having learned the newest alchemic techniques in Central, he requested a transfer to this understaffed town to make use of his abilities, and meets Escha when he is assigned to the Development Department as well. The two make a promise to use their alchemy together, and bring success to the Development Department. Can't stand the games, can't stand the anime. It's grand mystery for me how it can be appreciated.   Overall Rating: 5/10   35. M3: Sono Kuroki Hagane M3～ソノ黒キ鋼～ [Satelight] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Mecha, Psychological Action, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi In a dark void known as the Lightless Realm, a group of children meet and bond, but are then separated and returned to their own dimension. Years later, these children reunite to fight "Admonitions," monsters that originate from the same void, using robots known as "Vess." However, their efforts only slow the ever-encroaching and expanding Lightless Realm from infecting their world. Their lives take a drastic turn when a new foe appears in the form of a "Corpse," whose song is rumored to kill any who hear it within nine days. The "Corpse Song" is heard by the group, and with this, they each begin to pull away and become caught up in their own personal problems—ultimately threatening the fate of humanity. When mecha and mystery come together, I expect nothing good. When it's accompanied by sci-fi and  supernatural, it's already hitting trash level which is hard to overcome. But M3 does not even try to - it enjoys being trash, so who am I to bother it in its cringe.   Overall Rating: 5/10   36. Fuuun Ishin Dai☆Shogun Dai-Shogun: Great Revolution 風雲維新ダイ☆ショーグン [J.C.Staff, A.C.G.T.] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Historical, Mecha Action In the late Edo period, Japan had experienced an unprecedented crisis by Kurofune (Black Ships), the ships from foreign countries. But a giant robot called Onigami, which has existed since ancient time, dispelled the Kurofune ships and the exclusion of foreigners was accomplished. The story begins in Japan where Meiji restoration in 1868 didn't happen. The tagline says, "I can be the greatest man in the world, because I am a virgin!!" Samurai and ninja never go well with mecha... just saying. Great conqueror of Nagasaki never killed anyone and easily gets beaten by his granny caretaker or gets scolded by a small official or faints with a single boob touch as a virgin... The amount of nonsense is sky high, but main dish is soft ecchi here.   Overall Rating: 5/10   37. Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo Returns The File of Young Kindaichi Returns 金田一少年の事件簿R【リターンズ】 [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen Mystery High school student Hajime Kindaichi is the supposed grandson of famous private detective Kosuke Kindaichi. Visiting Hong Kong for a fashion event with Kindaichi, our hero's girlfriend Miyuki is captured by a stranger in a case of mistaken identity. The journey to save Miyuki itself leads to yet another crime case... Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   38. Cardfight!! Vanguard: Legion Mate-hen Cardfight!! Vanguard Legion Mate カードファイト!! ヴァンガード レギオンメイト編 [Dentsu, Sotsu, Bushiroad] (Finished 1/33) Tags: Strategy Game Action TMS Entertainment Several days after the mortal battle against Link Joker which embroils the whole world, the world has returned to peace. But Kai Toshiki faces a surprising situation. Sendou Aichi, the hero who saved the world from the invasion of Link Joker, has suddenly disappeared. In addition, everyone's memory about Aichi is lost...Almost all hints have been lost, and Kai starts to search Aichi with "Blaster Blade" and the deck of Royal Paladin, the only existing hint and the proof of their bonds. Kai is approached by fighters who call themselves "Quatre Knights". The four---Gaillard, Neve, Ratie and Sarah---are fighters with world-class power in vanguard fights. They control mysterious power and urge Kai to give up searching Aichi. What is their purpose...!? And what is their relationship with Aichi...!? Kai, with the new power "Legion" in his hand, fights to take Aichi back. Now, the war has begun! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   39. Lady Jewelpet レディ ジュエルペット [Studio Comet, Zexcs] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Anthropomorphic, Mahou Shoujo Fantasy, Romance Momona is an ordinary junior-high school student hailing from Jewel Land. At her cousin's wedding, she envies the bride, Lady Diana, due to the fact that she is marrying the cousin who she had a slight crush on. However, once she sees Lady Diana and her cousin together, Momona begins to like her, and accepts her as her cousin's bride. Just as Lady Diana is about to properly meet her and introduce herself, Momona is transported to a snowy place in Jewel Land where the ruler, Lady Jewel, is giving a speech to the Petit Ladies, girls who are chosen as Jewel Candidates to be the next Lady Jewel. Momona meets her partner and mentor, Ruby, a white rabbit, who will guide her through the tasks in becoming Lady Jewel. Whoever passes the most tasks wins and becomes the next Lady Jewel, but standing in her way is Lillian, a girl who also aims to win the title of Lady Jewel, so she can choose her brother, Cayenne, to be her King alongside her. Momona soon also begins to fall in love with Cayenne, yet Lillian doesn't want her to get too close to him. Cayenne also seems to harbor feelings for Momona, but who will be chosen in the end as Lady Jewel to decide it all? And will Momona and Lillian ever become true friends and will Cayenne and Momona ever be together? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   40. Majin Bone マジンボーン [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Strategy Game  Anime adaptation of Majin Bone, a digital card game project. Majin, the creator of the Universe, has been resurrected in the present day. Shougo Ryuujin, an ordinary high school student who transforms into the Bone Fighter Dragonbone with the Bone Card in order to save Earth. Together, with the other White Bone warriors take a stand against the Dark Bone, a foe that has appeared from darkness to devastate Earth. However, "could the true enemy be ourselves?" Another shounen cards trash for kids.   Overall Rating: 5/10   41. Abarenbou Rikishi!! Matsutarou Rowdy Sumo Wrestler Matsutaro!! 暴れん坊力士！！松太郎 [Toei Animation] (Finished 9/23) Tags: Seinen Combat Sports Matsutarou Sakaguchi is a giant roughneck man with strength far beyond ordinary people. He never uttered words like "work hard," "strive," and "dream" like the typical shounen manga protagonist. However, he is stronger than anyone and peerless in sumo wrestling. His greatest weakness is his own carefree personality. He grows into a full-fledged sumo wrestler. It was really funny, but it grew old and repeating by the middle and there was no incentive to go on without enjoying the flow, so dropped it eventually.   Overall Rating: 6/10   42. Dragon Collection ドラゴンコレクション [OLM] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Isekai Fantasy Through an unexpected turn of events, an ordinary elementary school student, Hiro Enryuu, finds himself in the world of the "Dragon Collection" game. This is a world called Dragon Earth, where gods, humans, and monsters exist side by side. Those who roam this world using a magic book, called a Grimoire, and cards to summon monsters and search for treasures that bear the powers of dragons are called Dracolle Battlers. Despite his bewilderment, Hiro becomes a Dracolle Battler and, together with the friends he meets there, begins his adventure to become a legendary Dragon Master! Whenever protagonist is elementary school student, there's 99% chance that anime is for kids. Summoning monsters makes it another variation of pokemon.   Overall Rating: 5/10   43. Pretty Rhythm: All Star Selection プリティーリズム・オールスターセレクション [Tatsunoko Production, Dongwoo A&E] (Finished 1/11) Tags: Shoujo Idols (Female), Music Sports This is the fourth anime series of Pretty Rhythm. The story features a girl named Laala Manaka, who desires to become an Idol. To further her debut the best, the three main protagonists from the previous Pretty Rhythm series Aira, Mia, and Naru give her lessons about how to be the best Idol. In addition to the lessons she's learning, the series also retells the events of the previous Pretty Rhythm series. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   44. Tamako Love Story たまこラブストーリー [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Award Winning, Romance, Slice of Life  As the seasons pass by, the end of Mochizou Ooji's third and final school year quickly approaches. He aims to study at a university in Tokyo, but at the cost of leaving behind his loved ones—including his beloved childhood crush, Tamako Kitashirakawa. Having no such plans for the future, Tamako will merely remain in town to work at her family's humble mochi shop. As the time for Mochizou's departure draws closer, the reserved young man must gather up the courage to confess his feelings to Tamako before it is too late—lest his love go unnoticed forever. As of late Award Winning has become a poor tag for me as it means that work is created with the aim to participate in concourse and thus it's usually kind-hearted SOL, rarely with a twist. And it's just not entertaining.   Overall Rating: 6/10   45. Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Ghost in the Shell - Border:3 Ghost Tears Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 3: Ghost Tears 攻殻機動隊ARISE -GHOST IN THE SHELL- border:3 Ghost Tears [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective, Mecha, Psychological Sci-Fi Third movie of Ghost in the Shell: Arise. Motoko and Batou work to try to stop a terrorist organization whose symbol is the Scylla. Meanwhile, Togusa investigates a murder of a man who possessed a prosthetic leg manufactured by the Mermaid's Leg corporation. I did not like it, primarily because it's mostly a detective, and Kusanagi lover made no sense to me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   46. Crayon Shin-chan Movie 22: Gachinko! Gyakushuu no Robo To-chan Crayon Shin-chan: Serious Battle! Robot Dad Strikes Back 映画クレヨンしんちゃん　ガチンコ! 逆襲のロボとーちゃん [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Award Winning, Comedy, Sci-Fi Hiroshi got a slipped disk due to a back injury. He was taken to an Este salon by a mysterious beautiful girl who appeared suddenly, to receive a free trial of beauty treatment as well as a massage. When Hiroshi returned home after a beauty treatment, he was surprised to see himself in the form of a robot. Shinnosuke gets overjoyed, whereas Misae gets worried on seeing him as a naked robot. The robot version of Hiroshi turns out to be convenient. The robot Hiroshi could be controlled by a remote control and pretty much do anything including cooking and cleaning. Meanwhile, Hiroshi realizes that his turning into a robot has to do something with that Este salon. However, this new change was a dark conspiracy hatched by “Chichi Yure Doumei (The Association of Fathers)” to create a strong father figure for all the fathers in Japan. Soon, many dads in the whole nation go out of control, and the Nohara family (Shinnosuke's family) and Kasukabe start falling apart. Before the near-collapse of Kasukabe, Shinnosuke and Hiroshi i.e. Robot dad stand up to save the day. Featuring the most intense battle of middle-aged men, the movie brings a touching story that makes all fathers and families in Japan cry. I'm not enojying these thematic adventures, not sure why I keep watching them, probably because there aren't many left.   Overall Rating: 6/10   47. Nemure Omoigo, Sora no Shitone ni ねむれ思い子 空のしとねに [Hand to Mouse.] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Space Adventure, Drama A family was riding a car on their way home from a maternity hospital. Satomi and Yasunori were taking their newborn baby named "Orine" home and were filled with happy expectation. However, a sudden accident attacked them. Orine lost her parents, and she became alone. Nineteen years have passed, and she has grown up. She was pursued by the police because of an incident. She continued to escape, but Yuri Aoshima, a member of a shady organization, tried to contact her. Orine agreed to Yuri's demand, which was going to an experimental space station. Yuri will help her to escape, instead. Somehow, only Orine can enter an unmanned space station. Surprisingly, the person who was waiting for Orine was her mother, Satomi. She appeared in the similitude of her twenties. Orine was perplexed, and Yuri demanded to turn the power off of the station. Unwillingly, she started to place the shut-down device, but she believed that it will solve the mystery and help her mother. As Orine and Satomi spend time together, they made up for their lost time. Yuri's aim, Satomi's true identity, and a man called "SENSEI" who is involved in taking over the station. While the mystery deepens, Orine gets closer to the "truth"... Full CGI is a huge minus. Plot and mystery are ridiculous.   Overall Rating: 5/10   48. Ghost Messenger Movie 고스트 메신저 극장판 [Studio Animal] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Supernatural In this anime fantasy, Kanglim is a 5th grade Ghost Messenger on a supernatural mission. When he finds himself trapped in a Soul Phone, Kanglim, who has the power to see mystical spirits, must successfully capture one of them to free himself from the trap. The feature film is primarily a re-cut of the first two episodes of the OVA. It's an average shounen with two unlikable protagonists.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  4. kivandopulus

    Anime of the Year 2015-III Summer - Overlord

    By kivandopulus,


    Anime of the Year
    Overlord is the best thing that happened to this season. Prison School is the first ecchi that I liked.   1. Charlotte Charlotte（シャーロット）  [P.A. Works] (Finished 13/13) Tags: School, Super Power Drama If not for his ability to take over people's mind and body, Yuu Otosaka would be an ordinary high school student. Though it only lasts for five seconds at a time, Yuu's mysterious power allowed him to cheat his way to the top of his class and enter a prestigious high school, where he continues his dishonest acts. His shenanigans are eventually stopped by Nao Tomori—the headstrong student council president from Hoshinoumi Academy—who sees through his deceit. Through coercion, Nao convinces Yuu to transfer to Hoshinoumi and join the student council. Hoshinoumi Academy is secretly an institution created for adolescents who possess supernatural abilities—with the student council serving as a means of locating those who abuse their powers. With Yuu begrudgingly assisting in council affairs, the group sets out to find and protect new ability users from harm. However, as they further investigate the abilities, their findings entangle them in far more complicated matters than they could ever imagine. The worst kind of superpowers paired with time travel. And of course with a terrible ending.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Overlord オーバーロード [Madhouse] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Isekai Action, Adventure, Fantasy The final hour of the popular virtual reality game Yggdrasil has come. However, Momonga, a powerful wizard and master of the dark guild Ainz Ooal Gown, decides to spend his last few moments in the game as the servers begin to shut down. To his surprise, despite the clock having struck midnight, Momonga is still fully conscious as his character and, moreover, the non-player characters appear to have developed personalities of their own! Confronted with this abnormal situation, Momonga commands his loyal servants to help him investigate and take control of this new world, with the hopes of figuring out what has caused this development and if there may be others in the same predicament. I like the setting, but it's not going anywhere in particular, and underlings are quite irritating. When it comes to battles, it gets much more interesting, though, so I'll settle with 8.   Overall Rating: 8/10   3. Prison School 監獄学園〈プリズンスクール [J.C.Staff] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Gag Humor, School Comedy, Ecchi Located on the outskirts of Tokyo, Hachimitsu Private Academy is a prestigious all-girls boarding school, famous for its high-quality education and disciplined students. However, this is all about to change due to the revision of the school's most iconic policy, as boys are now able to enroll as well. At the start of the first semester under this new decree, a mere five boys have been accepted, effectively splitting the student body into a ratio of two hundred girls to one boy. Kiyoshi, Gakuto, Shingo, Andre, and Jo are quickly cast away without having a chance to make any kind of a first impression. Unable to communicate with their fellow female students, the eager boys set their sights on a far more dangerous task: peeping into the girls' bath! It's only after their plan is thoroughly decimated by the infamous Underground Student Council that the motley crew find their freedom abruptly taken from them, as they are thrown into the school's prison with the sentence of an entire month as punishment. Thus begins the tale of the boys' harsh lives in Prison School, a righteous struggle that will ultimately test the bonds of friendship and perverted brotherhood. The first ecchi series that get a borderline masterpiece from me. Yes, it's stilly and pervy and using lots of dirty tricks, but it was fun to watch back then and I even watched it fully again as it has nice characters and situations and even some food for memes.   Overall Rating: 7/10   4. Dragon Ball Super ドラゴンボール超（スーパー） [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/131) Tags: Shounen Martial Arts, Super Power Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy Seven years after the events of Dragon Ball Z, Earth is at peace, and its people live free from any dangers lurking in the universe. However, this peace is short-lived; a sleeping evil awakens in the dark reaches of the galaxy: Beerus, the ruthless God of Destruction. Disturbed by a prophecy that he will be defeated by a "Super Saiyan God," Beerus and his angelic attendant Whis start searching the universe for this mysterious being. Before long, they reach Earth where they encounter Gokuu Son, one of the planet's mightiest warriors, and his similarly powerful friends. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai SHIMONETA: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn't Exist 下ネタという概念が存在しない退屈な世界 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Gag Humor, School Comedy, Ecchi With the introduction of strict new morality laws, Japan has become a nation cleansed of all that is obscene and impure. By monitoring citizens using special devices worn around their necks, authorities have taken extreme measures to ensure that society remains chaste. In this world of sexual suppression, Tanukichi Okuma—son of an infamous terrorist who opposed the chastity laws—has just entered high school, offering his help to the student council in order to get close to president Anna Nishikinomiya, his childhood friend and crush. Little does he know that the vice president Ayame Kajou has a secret identity: Blue Snow, a masked criminal dedicated to spreading lewd material amongst the sheltered public—and Tanukichi has caught the girl's interest due to his father's notoriety. Soon, Tanukichi is dragged into joining her organization called SOX, where he is forced to spread obscene propaganda, helping to launch an assault against the government's oppressive rule. With their school set as the first point of attack, Tanukichi will have to do the unthinkable when he realizes that their primary target is the person he admires most. Don't know why I finished this, but despite being also pervy comedy this is like the opposite of Prison School. Silly, unfunny, full of nonsense and just not delivering in any aspect.   Overall Rating: 5/10   6. Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri GATE GATE（ゲート）自衛隊　彼の地にて、斯く戦えり [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Isekai, Military Action, Adventure, Fantasy Off-duty Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) officer and otaku Youji Itami is on his way to attend a doujin convention in Ginza, Tokyo when a mysterious portal in the shape of a large gate suddenly appears. From this gate, supernatural creatures and warriors clad in medieval armor emerge, charging through the city, killing and destroying everything in their path. With swift actions, Youji saves as many lives as he can while the rest of the JSDF direct their efforts toward stopping the invasion. Three months after the attack, Youji has been tasked with leading a special recon team, as part of a JSDF task force, that will be sent to the world beyond the gate—now being referred to as the "Special Region." They must travel into this unknown world in order to learn more about what they are dealing with and attempt to befriend the locals in hopes of creating peaceful ties with the ruling empire. But if they fail, they face the consequence of participating in a devastating war that will engulf both sides of the gate. I sort of liked it when I watched it back then. But it's hardly really interesting - just OP armored vehicles destroying primitive forces. And characters aren't memorable after all this time, so just above average.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Monster Musume no Iru Nichijou Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls モンスター娘のいる日常 [Lerche] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Anthropomorphic, Harem Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi With his parents abroad, Kimihito Kurusu lived a quiet, unremarkable life alone until monster girls came crowding in! This alternate reality presents cutting-edge Japan, the first country to promote the integration of non-human species into society. After the incompetence of interspecies exchange coordinator Agent Smith leaves Kimihito as the homestay caretaker of a Lamia named Miia, the newly-minted "Darling" quickly attracts girls of various breeds, resulting in an ever-growing harem flush with eroticism and attraction. Unfortunately for him and the ladies, sexual interactions between species is forbidden by the Interspecies Exchange Act! The only loophole is through an experimental marriage provision. Kimihito's life becomes fraught with an abundance of creature-specific caveats and sensitive interspecies law as the passionate, affectionate, and lusty women hound his every move, seeking his romantic and sexual affections. With new species often appearing and events materializing out of thin air, where Kimihito and his harem go is anyone's guess! I don't dig Monmusu concept - both games and anime. Just fantasy fetish pervy stuff without anything substantial.   Overall Rating: 5/10   8. Himouto! Umaru-chan  干物妹！うまるちゃん [Doga Kobo] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Otaku Culture, School Comedy People are not always who they appear to be, as is the case with Umaru Doma, the perfect high school girl—that is, until she gets home! Once the front door closes, the real fun begins. When she dons her hamster hoodie, she transforms from a refined, over-achieving student into a lazy, junk food-eating otaku, leaving all the housework to her responsible older brother Taihei. Whether she's hanging out with her friends Nana Ebina and Kirie Motoba, or competing with her self-proclaimed "rival" Sylphinford Tachibana, Umaru knows how to kick back and have some fun! Himouto! Umaru-chan is a cute story that follows the daily adventures of Umaru and Taihei, as they take care of—and put up with—each other the best they can, as well as the unbreakable bonds between friends and siblings. Slightly tweaked idea of heroine from His and Her circumstances from standpoint of older brother, but nothing exceptional or funny in this SOL comedy.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Akagami no Shirayuki-hime Snow White with the Red Hair 赤髪の白雪姫 [Bones] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shoujo Drama, Fantasy, Romance  Although her name means "snow white," Shirayuki is a cheerful, red-haired girl living in the country of Tanbarun who works diligently as an apothecary at her herbal shop. Her life changes drastically when she is noticed by the silly prince of Tanbarun, Prince Raji, who then tries to force her to become his concubine. Unwilling to give up her freedom, Shirayuki cuts her long red hair and escapes into the forest, where she is rescued from Raji by Zen Wistalia, the second prince of a neighboring country, and his two aides. Hoping to repay her debt to the trio someday, Shirayuki sets her sights on pursuing a career as the court herbalist in Zen's country, Clarines. Akagami no Shirayuki-hime depicts Shirayuki's journey toward a new life at the royal palace of Clarines, as well as Zen's endeavor to become a prince worthy of his title. As loyal friendships are forged and deadly enemies formed, Shirayuki and Zen slowly learn to support each other as they walk their own paths. I see a rather clear reverse harem here. Of course main heroine is the talk of the castle and everyone inside as everyone is planning something around her... feels very cringy.   Overall Rating: 5/10   10. Rokka no Yuusha Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers 六花の勇者 [Passione] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery An ancient legend states that with the revival of the Demon God, six heroes—the Braves of the Six Flowers—will be chosen by the Goddess of Fate, granting them power to rise up against the fiends attempting to turn the world into a living hell. Adlet Mayer, self-proclaimed "Strongest Man in the World," has arrived at the continent of Piena in hopes of becoming a Brave. Although it doesn't go as smoothly as he had planned, Adlet is ultimately chosen as one of the six heroes shortly after being greeted by Nashetania Loei Piena Augustra, crown princess and fellow Brave. Rokka no Yuusha follows the two as they embark upon their destined journey to fight the Demon God, intending to meet up with their fellow heroes at a small temple outside of the Land of the Howling Demons, the fiends' domain. However, when they finally unite, seven heroes are present, and soon the others begin to suspect Adlet to be a fraud. Now on the run, Adlet must utilize his unique skill set and wit in a fight for his life to identify which member of the group is the true impostor before it's too late! Mystery makes everything worse as it becomes a drag with the insignificant intrigue pushed to the end. And I see no worthy characters, so no reason to treat it even as a decent piece.   Overall Rating: 5/10   11. Gangsta. GANGSTA. ギャングスタ [Manglobe] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Organized Crime Action, Drama Nicholas Brown and Worick Arcangelo, known in the city of Ergastalum as the "Handymen," are mercenaries for hire who take on jobs no one else can handle. Contracted by powerful mob syndicates and police alike, the Handymen have to be ready and willing for anything. After completing the order of killing a local pimp, the Handymen add Alex Benedetto—a prostitute also designated for elimination—to their ranks to protect her from forces that want her gone from the decrepit hellhole of a city she has come to call home. However, this criminal’s paradise is undergoing a profound period of change that threatens to corrode the delicate balance of power. Ergastalum was once a safe haven for "Twilights," super-human beings born as the result of a special drug but are now being hunted down by a fierce underground organization. This new threat is rising up to challenge everything the city stands for, and the Handymen will not be able to avoid this coming war. Watched it before and somewhat liked as this anime has nice world and characters. But, to be honest, it all comes down to classy fighting action, and confusing abrupt ending. Can't say it had a lasting impact on me, and without proper ending or sequel or additional manga to research can't call it a masterpiece .   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. God Eater  [ufotable] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Military Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi The year is 2071. Humanity has been pushed to the brink of extinction following the emergence of man-eating monsters called "Aragami" that boast an immunity to conventional weaponry. They ravaged the land, consuming almost everything in their path and leaving nothing in their wake. To combat them, an organization named Fenrir was formed as a last-ditch effort to save humanity through the use of "God Eaters"—special humans infused with Oracle cells, allowing them to wield the God Arc, the only known weapon capable of killing an Aragami. One such God Eater is Lenka Utsugi, a New-Type whose God Arc takes the form of both blade and gun. Now, as one of Fenrir's greatest weapons, Lenka must master his God Arc if he is to fulfill his desire of wiping out the Aragami once and for all. The monsters continue to be born en masse while the remnants of humanity struggle to survive the night. Only God Eaters stand between the Aragami and complete and total annihilation of the human race. Action anime based on action game is always met with a grade of doubt by me. And this story is deadly boring.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Gakkougurashi! School-Live! がっこうぐらし！ [Lerche] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Psychological, School, Survival Horror, Mystery, Slice of Life, Supernatural Carefree high school senior Yuki Takeya every day looks forward to the School Living Club. Consisting of the president Yuuri Wakasa, the athletic Kurumi Ebisuzawa, the mature Miki Naoki, the supervising teacher Megumi Sakura, and club dog Taroumaru, the club prides itself on making the most of life at school. There is only one rule the club members have to follow: all members must live their entire lives within school grounds. Gakkougurashi! follows the adventures of the School Living Club as they promote independence and self-determination through their lively time residing at Megurigaoka Private High School. It has a bit of everything, but no clear direction. So it does some things nicely, even has some yuru yuri vibes at times, but the other times it throws nonsense and silly drama and just tediousness like any mystery.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Durarara!!x2 Ten デュラララ!!×２ 転 [Shuka] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Action, Mystery, Supernatural  In Ikebukuro, the lives of its citizens continue intertwining with each other as if their fates are predestined. Mikado Ryuugamine is now one step closer to his goal of living an exciting life, and in turn, delves deeper into the darker side of Ikebukuro. After gaining absolute control over a former rival, he uses his newfound power as he pleases, purging the Dollars from the inside to mold it into the ideal organization. This proves to be as challenging as it sounds as Mikado must now deal with unwanted outside interference, most notably a re-emerging and dearly missed friend. Meanwhile, Izaya Orihara still has some schemes up his sleeve, although a rival information exchange center has proven to be quite the hindrance, lurking within everyone's favorite downtown district. Undoubtedly, sooner or later, chaos will strike again. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Okusama ga Seitokaichou! My Wife is the Student Council President!  おくさまが生徒会長！ [Seven] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Shounen School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Hayato Izumi is running for student council president. He's studious, responsible, down to earth...and completely outmatched by his rival, Ui Wakana. Ui wins in a landslide after promising comprehensive sex education, free condoms, and other exciting reforms. Bloodied but not discouraged, Hayato licks his wounds and settles for vice president. Then Ui moves in with him. As it turns out, their parents made a drunken promise decades ago that their children would one day marry. Ui and Hayato must now balance school life with matrimony, keeping their relationship secret from a prudish student body and learning to live with each other. Can they keep the student council in line and find happiness together? Find out in Okusama ga Seitokaichou! Episodes are only 8 minutes long, so it just could not be anything serious. Just episodic and not really funny ecchi comedy.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Jitsu wa Watashi wa Actually, I am... 実は私は [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 4/13) Tags: Shounen Harem, School, Vampire Comedy, Fantasy, Romance One day after school, Asahi Kuromine stumbles upon the truth that Youko Shiragami, the girl he has a crush on, is actually a vampire. According to her father's rules, Youko must now quit school in order to keep her family safe. However, Asahi does not want her to go and promises that he will keep her true nature secret. Unfortunately, this turns out to be easier said than done, as Asahi is a man who is easy to read and is unable to keep any secrets to himself. And this is only the beginning of his troubles—more supernatural beings enter his life, and he is forced to protect all of their identities or face the consequences. Jitsu wa Watashi wa follows Asahi as he deals with his new friends and the unique challenges they bring, struggles to keep his mouth shut, and desperately tries to win Youko's heart in the process. Reminds me of seven witches harem, decent at best.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. To LOVE-Ru Darkness 2nd To LOVE Ru Darkness 2 To LOVEる -とらぶる- ダークネス2nd [Xebec] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi, Ecchi The dispassionate, transforming assassin Golden Darkness returns to peer deeper into the mysteries surrounding her new life, while a sinister Nemesis manipulates her younger sister Mea from the shadows. Along with their newly discovered mother, Tearju, this previously estranged family quickly becomes the center of everyone's attention. On the other hand, Princess Momo's Harem Plan stands on shaky ground amidst Rito's inability to confess to his longtime crush Haruna, who has grown feelings of her own. But things aren't as peaceful as they seem; an evil force looms amidst the innocuous commotion, threatening to eclipse the love, happiness, and friendship of Rito and his harem. Only the light of love can hope to banish the shadow. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   18. Kuusen Madoushi Kouhosei no Kyoukan Sky Wizards Academy 空戦魔導士候補生の教官 [Diomedéa] (Finished 4/12) Tags: School Action, Drama, Fantasy  Years ago, humanity almost got wiped out by huge magical armored insects that had become too strong and aggressive to handle. Because of these giant bugs, humans do not live on the earth anymore, but in floating cities instead. However, this does not mean that everything is lost, because the wizards from prestigious floating wizard academies are fighting these monsters. Kanata Age is a young man now labelled as a traitor even though he was once praised as the "Black Master Swordsman." He gets a chance to repair his reputation by instructing the team E601, which seems to be facing some difficulties. It consists of three girls, Misora Whitale, Lecty Eisenach, and Rico Flamel, each with problems of their own. It appears that Kanata will get in deep waters more than once because of them... It feels like an average visual novel with fighting - protagonist is teaching several flying witches fighting and act as a team. Watchable, but everything here seen elsewhere.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Working!!! Wagnaria!!3 ワーキング!!! [MAPPA, Studio VOLN] (Finished 26/26) Tags: Shounen Mythology Action, Adventure, Supernatural Ushio Aotsuki is a stubborn middle school student and son of an eccentric temple priest who goes about life without care for his father's claims regarding otherworldly monsters known as youkai. However, as he is tending to the temple while his father is away on work, his chores lead him to a shocking discovery: in the basement he finds a menacing youkai impaled by the fabled Beast Spear. The beast in question is Tora, infamous for his destructive power, who tries to coerce Ushio into releasing him from his five hundred year seal. Ushio puts no trust in his words and refuses to set him free. But when a sudden youkai outbreak puts his friends and home in danger, he is left with no choice but to rely on Tora, his only insurance being the ancient spear if he gets out of hand. Ushio and Tora's meeting is only the beginning of the unlikely duo's journey into the depths of the spiritual realm. With the legendary Beast Spear in his hands, Ushio will find out just how real and threatening the world of the supernatural can be. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Ushio to Tora (TV) Ushio & Tora (2015) うしおととら [MAPPA, Studio VOLN] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Shounen Mythology Action, Adventure, Supernatural Ushio Aotsuki is a stubborn middle school student and son of an eccentric temple priest who goes about life without care for his father's claims regarding otherworldly monsters known as youkai. However, as he is tending to the temple while his father is away on work, his chores lead him to a shocking discovery: in the basement he finds a menacing youkai impaled by the fabled Beast Spear. The beast in question is Tora, infamous for his destructive power, who tries to coerce Ushio into releasing him from his five hundred year seal. Ushio puts no trust in his words and refuses to set him free. But when a sudden youkai outbreak puts his friends and home in danger, he is left with no choice but to rely on Tora, his only insurance being the ancient spear if he gets out of hand. Ushio and Tora's meeting is only the beginning of the unlikely duo's journey into the depths of the spiritual realm. With the legendary Beast Spear in his hands, Ushio will find out just how real and threatening the world of the supernatural can be. It's a remake of old shounen, so it's too morally old to move further.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Aoharu x Kikanjuu Aoharu x Machinegun 青春×機関銃 [Brain's Base] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Crossdressing, Team Sports  Hotaru Tachibana has a strong sense of justice and just cannot help confronting those who choose to perform malicious acts. Furthermore, Hotaru is actually a girl who likes to disguise herself as a boy. After hearing rumors that her best friend was tricked by the popular host of a local club, Hotaru seeks to punish the evildoer. Upon arriving at the club, however, she is challenged to a so-called "survival game" by the host Masamune Matsuoka, where the first person hit by the bullet of a toy gun will lose. After a destructive fight which results in Hotaru's loss, Masamune forces the young "boy" to join his survival game team named Toy Gun Gun, in order to repay the cost of the damages that "he" has caused inside the club. Although she is initially unhappy with this turn of events, Hotaru quickly begins to enjoy what survival games have to offer and is determined to pay off her debt, much to the dismay of Tooru Yukimura, the other member of Toy Gun Gun. As time goes on, Hotaru begins to develop a close friendship with the rest of the team and hopes to take part in realizing their dream of winning the Top Combat Game (TCG), a tournament to decide the best survival game team in Japan. Although Hotaru tries her best, there are just two little problems: she is absolutely terrible at the game, and Toy Gun Gun doesn't allow female members on their team! Crossdressing and survival games make pretty much everything boring for me, but together it's squared.   Overall Rating: 5/10   22. Non Non Biyori Repeat のんのんびより りぴーと [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen CGDCT, Iyashikei, School Slice of Life Far from the hustle and bustle of urban life, and with only a single candy store and bus route to its name, the rural Asahigaoka is certainly not a place for everyone. Nevertheless, the village's children still manage to cheerfully spend their days exploring and having fun in the wilderness around them. One such child, Renge Miyauchi, the youngest of the group, looks forward to the entrance ceremony of the upcoming school year, signalling her entry into first grade and the beginning of her elementary school life. Attending the only school in town, Renge and her friends, seventh grader Natsumi Koshigaya and her eighth grade sister Komari, make the most out of their rural lifestyle, playing and studying everyday. Meanwhile, fifth grader Hotaru Ichijou has just moved to Asahigaoka from Tokyo, unaware of the numerous adventures and memories that await her. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Joukamachi no Dandelion Castle Town Dandelion 城下町のダンデライオン [Production IMS] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen Super Power Comedy, Supernatural The Sakurada siblings live a normal life in a typical Japanese household. Well, that's what their father, the king, wants for them at least. As members of the royal family, each sibling possesses a unique ability, and over two thousand security cameras have been placed around town to make sure the children are safe and sound. Moreover, all nine of them have been designated as a potential successor to the throne with the decision that the next ruler will be selected through an election. However, for the timid Akane Sakurada, the third eldest daughter who wields the power to manipulate gravity, all of this attention is a complete nightmare. With all the cameras constantly monitoring the candidates and even broadcasting their actions on the Sakurada-dedicated news channel, she decides that if she becomes king, the cameras have got to go. But just how will she convince the public that she is the most suited to rule if she can't even overcome her own shyness?! Election season is in full swing as the search for the next king begins in Joukamachi no Dandelion. Why would I be interested in some kingdom election... and this royal SOL is all this show provides. Pretty tasteless comedy.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya 2wei Herz! Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya 2Wei Herz! Fate/kaleid liner プリズマ☆イリヤ ツヴァイ ヘルツ！ [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Comedy, Fantasy Based on the Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma☆Illya 2wei! manga by Hiroshi Hiroyama, which is a spin-off of the Fate/stay night erotic visual novel by Type-Moon. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   25. Classroom☆Crisis クラスルーム☆クライシス [Lay-duce] (Finished 13/13) Tags: School, Space Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi  In Martian colony Fourth Tokyo lies a classroom of Kirishina Corporation's brightest minds spearheading aerospace development: A-TEC, led by genius engineer Kaito Sera, eagerly anticipating the arrival of their newest member. It soon becomes clear, however, that the transfer student is hardly ordinary—Nagisa Kiryuu, newly appointed chief of A-TEC and the younger brother of the corporation's CEO, is sent to shut the program down. To keep the classroom alive, Kaito and his students desperately work to develop a successor to their most powerful rocket, the X-2; meanwhile, Nagisa climbs the corporate ladder in pursuit of his own mission. In spite of this, their separate battles soon reveal that much more is going on in Kirishina Corporation than meets the eye. Classroom☆Crisis follows Kaito and Nagisa, as well as Kaito's younger sister Mizuki and A-TEC's test pilot Iris Shirasaki, in a story of intrigue, political warfare, and, against all odds, romance. As Nagisa and A-TEC are dragged further and further into Kirishina Corporation's conspiracies, friendships grow and pasts are unveiled as they fight to avert their classroom crisis. I can't stand all shows about building spaceships, but among them Classroom Crisis is so far the best one as there is quite some intrigue and unexpected moves. Does not make me enjoy it though.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace Rampo Kitan: Game of Laplace 乱歩奇譚 Game of Laplace [Lerche] (Finished 3/11) Tags: Detective, Gore, Psychological Mystery, Suspense After what appears to be just another ordinary day, middle school student Yoshio Kobayashi wakes up in his classroom to make a terrifying discovery: his teacher has been mutilated, and Yoshio happens to be holding the weapon used to commit the crime. Despite the initial shock of finding himself in this predicament, the curious and detached Yoshio can't help but be secretly thrilled about this attempt to frame him. His put-upon friend Souji Hashiba is turned into a willing accomplice, and together, they are determined to prove Yoshio's innocence. Additionally, Kogorou Akechi, a genius high school detective, has come to the scene of the crime in order to investigate the case and when Kogorou meets the young man found guilty, an intense mutual interest sparks between the two of them. Kobayashi wishes to enter Akechi's world of crime solving as his assistant, and Akechi is determined to see if the enthusiastic boy is up to the challenge. Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace is a surreal mystery and horror anime that contains brutal and bizarre crimes, loosely based on stories written by Ranpo Edogawa, who is famous for his influence on Japanese fiction. Detective suspense mystery, so not feeling anything towards it, I'm just not target audience.   Overall Rating: 6/10   27. Chaos Dragon: Sekiryuu Seneki Chaos Dragon ケイオスドラゴン 赤竜戦役 [ SILVER LINK., Connect] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Action, Fantasy  In 3015, the year of Huanli, two countries, Donatia and Kouran, are embroiled in a war of supremacy that is tearing the world around them apart. The small island Nil Kamui has suffered exceptionally from the war, with lands conquered in the name of each kingdom and stolen away from the people. To make matters worse, their deity, the Red Dragon, has gone mad, rampaging about Nil Kamui burning villages and killing people indiscriminately. Ibuki, a descendant of Nil Kamui's royal family, resides at an orphanage and refuses to take on the role of king. Abhorring conflict, Ibuki desires a peaceful resolution, however the chaotic world will not allow for such pacifism when it is being torn asunder by war. Despite his reluctance, Ibuki is drawn deep into this conflict. Can he rise to the occasion and save his country? A huge chaotic mess with revivals and other nonsense.   Overall Rating: 5/10   28. Gatchaman Crowds Insight GATCHAMAN CROWDS insight（インサイト） [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Super Power Action, Sci-Fi One day, a huge UFO spins over Japan and crashes into a rural farmland outside Nagaoka, disrupting Tsubasa Misudachi's ordinary life. As the Gatchaman, the legendary defenders of Tachikawa City, supervise the ordeal, a peaceful alien creature emerges from the spacecraft. In the ensuing chaos, Tsubasa is given a special high-tech notebook, or NOTE, from Gatchaman founder J.J. Robinson, signaling Tsubasa's sudden recruitment into their group. Under the tutelage of fellow hero Hajime Ichinose, Tsubasa slowly begins to adjust to life as a defender of justice. Meanwhile, the CROWDS technology, which enables users to manifest their consciousness' into a physical form, is spreading amongst the public, as well as being endorsed by Prime Minister Sugayama. However, a mysterious organization known as VAPE has gained notoriety by using unique red CROWDS to wreak havoc, shifting public opinion against the CROWDS technology. The Gatchaman, along with new recruit Tsubasa, must put a stop to their destructive activities before it's too late. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Sore ga Seiyuu! Seiyu's Life! それが声優！ [Gonzo] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Showbiz, Workplace Comedy, Slice of Life Dreaming of becoming a top-tier professional in the fast-paced, competitive world of voice acting, rookie Futaba Ichinose frantically scurries around, searching for auditions and performance sessions. Rubbing elbows with some of the biggest names in the industry, she tries to find her own unique voice and style. Along the way, she befriends two important allies: Ichigo Moesaki, an aspiring idol who claims to be a princess from another planet, and Rin Kohana, a cheerful child actress who tries her best to balance her career and school at the same time. Together, the girls brave the ups and downs of the entertainment industry—but as for Futaba, whose performance assessment at her agency is just around the corner, her career might be over sooner than expected! Sore ga Seiyuu! is a humorous and sincere celebration of the industry that gives anime its voice. Unremarkable character designs and little humor make it just another Nichijou with seiyuu flavor.   Overall Rating: 6/10   30. Senki Zesshou Symphogear GX Symphogear GX 戦姫絶唱シンフォギアGX [Satelight] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Idols (Female), Music  Action, Sci-Fi Following the events of Senki Zesshou Symphogear G, Hibiki Tachibana, Tsubasa Kazanari, and Chris Yukine continue to operate under the command of Genjuurou Kazanari. Meanwhile, Maria Cadenzavna Eve, Kirika Akatsuki, and Shirabe Tsukuyomi are taken into protective custody. With peace restored, everyone returns to their daily lives; however, the appearance of the alchemist Carol Malus Dienheim and her subordinates—the "Autoscorers"—threatens to draw everyone back into a conflict. Armed with a strange and magical power, Carol wishes to initiate the apocalypse and bring destruction to the world... and she is willing to sacrifice everything to do so. Against this mysterious new foe, the six Symphogear wielders must rise to the challenge in order to protect what they hold dear. However, will Carol and her Autoscorers prove to be too much to handle in this fight to protect the fate of the world? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   31. The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls 2nd Season アイドルマスター シンデレラガールズ 2ndシーズン [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Comedy, Drama Second season of The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   32. Aquarion Logos アクエリオンロゴス [Satelight] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Mecha Action, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi For thousands of years after its development, mankind used the written word for communication between people and generations. As millenia passed and technology became more prevalent, writing - and thus, communication as a whole - diminished, until it could only be found on cell phones and computer screens. Seeing an opportunity, the sorcerer Sogan Kenzaki starts infecting words with the Nesta Virus, which brings them to life and turns them into monsters called MJBK (Menace of Japanese with Biological Kinetic energy). To counter this attack against humanity, an organization known as DEAVA (Division of EArth Verbalism Ability) assembles a group of youths with the ability of "Verbalism". They have to pilot the vector machines, which are used to form the mechas dubbed "Aquarions". The one wild card in the situation is the self-dubbed "savior", a young man who is the direct relative of a famous calligrapher, named Akira Kaibuki. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   33. Venus Project: Climax VENUS PROJECT（ヴィーナス プロジェクト）－CLIMAX－ [Nomad] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Action  In the near future, Japan has developed sophisticated digital and image technology. People are enthusiastic for a new type of entertainment called "FORMULA VENUS." Abbreviated as "F-V," it is a sorted live battle of the top idol performances based on the idols' power, techniques, and developed experience. The story is about the drama that happens among the girls in VENUS PROJECT as they aim for the top by concentrating on difficult battles, passion, and friendship. A usual idol show with the exception that singing animates avatars that fight, nothing special.   Overall Rating: 5/10   34. Chu Feng: B.E.E School Shock 雛蜂-B.E.E- [Haoliners Animation League] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Mecha, School Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi  In 2017, a group of genius scientists achieve a remarkable breakthrough in bioengineering. However, all the new technologies are put into military use, beginning a new round of arms race. Vanguards, as the most significant achievement of the modern bioengineering and the most advanced weapon, are widely utilized in the race. Although vanguards are exceptionally combat-effective, their life expectancy is shortened by the nanomachines they use. Usually, most vanguards will retire from the army after a number of years in service. The heroine Liuli has also consumed too much of her lifespan after executing missions for a long time. With only 380 days left in her life, Liuli receives a new mission, to rescue a hostage being held in a civilian facility. It is without doubt a difficult mission for a vanguard like Liuli, who only knows how to kill and battle. However, Liuli obediently decides to accept the mission in the end. During the mission, Liuli surprisingly finds that the man who holds the hostage was once a vanguard. The former vanguard Zhongrong Zhou cries and asks the government to hand over the son of Eden. As a vanguard, Liuli feels deep contempt against Zhou. To eliminate the scum of the vanguards, a battle between two vanguards begins... It begins in a very favorable way, but falls into Chinese trash eventually. At least it's normal animation and not CGI this time.   Overall Rating: 6/10   35. Heibai Wushang The Unparalleled Black & White 黑白无双 [Wawayu Animation] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Action, Comedy, Supernatural  A story about two young demons who are always slacking off at work, a place that happens to be an organization that vows to keep the balance between the worlds of the living and dead by killing humans! Only couple episodes seem to be translated. Normal gory shounen fighting action with spirits, nothing exceptional unless you like silly Chinese episodic humor.   Overall Rating: 6/10   36. Ze Tian Ji 择天记 [Foch Films] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy  At the beginning of time, a mystical meteor came crashing down from outer space and scattered all over the world. A piece of it landed in the Eastern Continent. There were mysterious totems carved upon the meteor, and people gathered around it wanting to discover its usage. They discovered the Way, and established The Tradition. Several thousand years later, the fourteen years old orphan Chen Chang Shang left his master to cure his illness and change his fate. He brought a piece of marriage vow with him to the capital, thus began the journey of a rising hero. It's ultra soaked with Chinese mythology and symbols which makes it truly nauseating for me.   Overall Rating: 5/10   37. Feng Wei Ying Xiong Beyond the Worlds 疯味英雄 [YHKT Entertainment] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Action, Fantasy  A villa, involved in strange circumstances in the 1990s, is bulldozed and new homes are built on top. The ostensibly peaceful town and its inhabitants will soon have its cover blown wide open. Mysterious forces are at play, rooted in a disturbing truth. Caricaturish silly full CGI fighting action based on Heroes of the Storm, kids stuff, as for me.   Overall Rating: 5/10   38. Ying Xiong Bie Nao Heroes Don't Bi-Bi 英雄别闹 [Vasoon Animation] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Action, Fantasy  The series takes place on a parallel world filled with superhumans. Allegiances are formed between heroes and villains. Another full CGI shounen parody, another unfunny mess.   Overall Rating: 5/10   39. Bakemono no Ko The Boy and the Beast バケモノの子 [Studio Chizu] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Anthropomorphic, Isekai Adventure, Fantasy Two souls, living very different lives, wander alone and isolated in their respective worlds. For nine-year-old Ren, the last person who treated him with any form of kindness has been killed, and he is shunned by what is left of his family. With no parents, no real family, and no place to go, Ren escapes into the confusing streets and alleyways of Shibuya. Through the twists and turns of the alleys, Ren stumbles into the intimidating Kumatetsu, who leads him to the beast realm of Shibuten. For Kumatetsu, the boy represents a chance for him to become a candidate to replace the lord of the realm once he retires. While nearly unmatched in combat, Kumatetsu's chilly persona leaves him with no disciples to teach and no way to prove he is worthy of becoming the lord's successor. While the two share different goals, they agree to help each other in order to reach them. Kumatetsu searches for recognition; Ren, now known as Kyuuta, searches for the home he never had. As the years pass by, it starts to become apparent that the two are helping each other in more ways than they had originally thought. Perhaps there has always been less of a difference between them, a boy and a beast, than either of the two ever realized. Watched it before, but was not impressed, although it's better than almost any Ghibli anime.   Overall Rating: 6/10   40. Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda. The Anthem of the Heart 心が叫びたがってるんだ。 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Performing Arts, School Drama, Romance Jun Naruse is a chatterbox whose life is colored by fairy tales and happy endings. However, influenced by her deep belief in those tales, she is too naive and trusting, and her words soon shatter her family's bond when she inadvertently reveals her father's affair. Naruse is scarred for life after being blamed for her parent's divorce, and her regrets soon manifest into a fairy egg—a being who seals her mouth from speaking in order to protect everyone's happy ending. Now, even in high school, Naruse's speech remains locked by the fairy egg. Even trying to speak causes her stomach to twist. Though unable to convey her thoughts through words, she is unexpectedly chosen to perform in a musical alongside three other students: Takumi Sakagami, Natsuki Nitou, and Daiki Tasaki. Naruse makes her way to the club room to reject the daunting task, but changes her mind when she overhears Sakagami's beautiful singing. Perhaps the fairy egg "curse" does not apply to singing, and perhaps Sakagami is the fairy tale prince she has been seeking all along. Will Naruse be able to convey the anthem of her heart? Yay, another movie about disabled. And it's not to inform more, because some super rare case is taken. And all this boredom lasts for full two hours.   Overall Rating: 6/10   41. Wake Up, Girls! Seishun no Kage Wake Up, Girls！青春の影 [Ordet, Millepensee] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Drama Movie sequel of Wake Up, Girls!, announced at Wake Up, Girls! Festa.2014 Winter. Did not watch sequel movies earlier. Nice and still grappling.   Overall Rating: 6/10   42. Xiyou Ji: Dasheng Guilai Monkey King: Hero Is Back 西游记之大圣归来 [October Media] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical, Martial Arts Adventure, Fantasy, Supernatural Legend tells of the all-powerful Monkey King, who was unmatched in combat, and walked freely through Heaven, Earth, and Hell. After breaking some of the most important rules set by the Gods, he is imprisoned in an ice cage under the mountains, bound by the only powers able to control him. Without the great Monkey King, darkness falls across China. While fleeing from the monsters that have attacked his village, a small boy hides in the mountains as his only place of safety, and finds a strange icy pillar bound in chains. He touches the ice, breaking the spell, and begins the events of the movie Monkey King: Hero is Back. Full CGI horrible movie, does not even deserve discussing.   Overall Rating: 5/10   43. Sinbad: Soratobu Hime to Himitsu no Shima Sindbad: The Flying Princess and the Secret Island シンドバッド 空とぶ姫と秘密の島 [Nippon Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure  Sinbad dreams of voyaging to an unknown world. He and his pet monkey Mimi encounter Sana, a girl riding a flying wooden horse. Then, the wind shifts. Pretty much what you expect, no surprises.   Overall Rating: 5/10   44. Hikawa Maru Monogatari 氷川丸ものがたり [Mushi Production] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Historical Drama Hirayama Jirou has lost his mother in the Great Kanto Earthquake and now runs a soba stall with his father. He decides to join the crew of the famous ocean liner Hikawa Maru and finds work cooking in the ship's galley. Through his eyes, the film explores the ship's 85-year history. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   45. Hwasan Golae The Crimson Whale 화산고래 [Korean Academy of Film Arts] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Horror, Suspense In the year 2070, mankind faces a life threatening crisis due to huge earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Korea is in a state of anarchy and Busan is swarming with refugees. Young street dealer Ha-jin has the ability to communicate with whales – a fact she keeps hidden from everyone. One day, a onearmed woman named Baek Sang-won asks Ha-jin to join her in the gules whale hunt. Painful memories lead Ha-jin to turn down the offer initially, but she eventually ends up joining Baek. As she makes friends on the ship, she grows curious about the gules whale and learns that every crew member has a sad gules story. The madness in the crews’ eyes as they try to kill the gules brings Ha-jin’s trauma to the forefront of her mind – and she experiences her own madness. Not translated. Drawing is of low quality. Hunting lava whale and madness ensuing are super weird.   Overall Rating: 5/10   46. Changbaekhan Eolkuldeul On The White Planet 백한 얼굴들 [-] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Psychological Award Winning, Drama In an unknown time when everything is colorless, the world pale and desolate, everybody is born with pale white skin. There is absolutely no sign of color in this world at all. However, one boy is born with yellowish skin. Everybody treats him like some sort of monster, and the boy lives in isolation, in the woods with his mother. The year he turns 16, the boy’s depressed mother, unable to bear the seclusion, commits suicide. The boy blames himself for her death and dreams of becoming a normal pale-skinned person. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10
  5. kivandopulus
    In the end could only point out Musekinin Kanchou Tylor as a minor masterpiece.   1. Musekinin Kanchou Tylor The Irresponsible Captain Tylor 無責任艦長タイラー [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 26/26) Tags: Comedy, Sci-Fi Adult Cast, Military, Parody, Space Justy Ueki Tylor is an average 20-year-old man: lazy, greedy, and a passionate womanizer. He plans to land an easy job with the United Planets Space Force that pays decently and is also far away from the rigorous combat raging throughout the galaxy. However, Tylor's dreams of living a simple life are brought to a sudden halt when he stumbles into a dangerous hostage situation. Through one strange mishap after another, Tylor miraculously manages to save the hostages and is awarded command of the decrepit space-cruiser Soyokaze! Now Tylor finds himself in charge of sending mad mercenaries, proud pilots, skeptical colleagues, and harsh commanders through the infinite expanse of the universe, all the while avoiding the looming threat of the Holy Raalgon Empire. What misadventures await the irresponsible Captain Tylor? I watched Irresponsible Captain Tylor before, but not sure if 1993 or 1995 version. What struck me back in early space genius tactics Space Battleship Yamato and Legend of Galactic Heroes was that they did not really boast of good tactics compared to modern examples and often relied on luck or just sucked up damage. Tylor brings that concept to the ultimate as it's a comedy that relies on pure luck with rare exceptions. Show has great funny characters and good pace with solid humor. I've praised enough to get into masterpiece range, time to focus on negatives to derive final score. It's not intellectual, so can't surpass 8. The setup with story and characters gets finalized by the 7th episode, and then there is a series of space SOL episodes. In the second half of the series tempo receives a blow and concentration starts to fade at times. Since the story was never serious, approaching the ending brings more and more nonsense, and that's just unsatisfying. Minor masterpiece score fits just right here.   Overall Rating: 7/10   2. Wakakusa Monogatari: Nan to Jo-sensei 若草物語ナンとジョー先生 [Nippon Animation] (Finished 4/40) Tags: Historical, School Drama, Slice of Life Nan Harding is the new student at Mr. and Mrs. Bhaer's school. Everyone thinks that she is a pain in the head, but not Mrs. Jo. Together with the other kids, they all embark on their personal adventures and misfortunes while learning in school. Finally Wakakusa Monogatari loses real connection with novel and lives its own life with a new protagonist as if from Ghibli works and one of old protagonists being just one of the teachers. Usual world masterpiece theater fans can rage all they want, but it's the best world masterpiece theater series at least for the sheer amount of comedy in it. Sadly, comedy takes only a part of the time, and mostly it's just SOL with small adventures and learning important lessons, blah-blah-blah. Something adults can hardly involve into.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Miracle☆Girls ミラクル☆ガールズ  [Japan Taps] (Finished 3/51) Tags: Shoujo Drama Mikage and Tomomi Matsunaga are Miracle Girls: they have a telepathic link with each other and can teleport when they link their little fingers. Tomomi is a sports star and has a boyfriend called Noda. Mikage is the smartest student in the school and is in love with her sempai. He moved to London to study but they still kept in touch, that is until a selfish princess called Marie decides that he should come with her back to Diammas. Back in Japan the twins are having various problems of their own. But they soon realise that there is a link between Marie, an ancient legend, and a girl they know called Emma. Telepathy... teleportation... jumping for 20 meters... I'm so prejudiced against espers that it starts as a  downer already. Shoujo immature romance focus does not add points as well. It's terribly chaotic and I can't call it even decent.    Overall Rating: 5/10   4. Yuusha Tokkyuu Might Gaine 勇者特急マイトガイン [Sunrise] (Finished 3/47) Tags: Mecha Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Nouvelle Tokio City locates on the place where it used to be Tokyo Bay. At the first glance, the prosperous city seems to enjoy its freedom and peace, but the city is suffering from the crimes. Senpuuji Maito is a perfect 15-year-old boy, bright, handsome, smart, and all-around sportsman. Furthermore, he is the leader of Senpuuji Trading group, and a multimillionaire. He spends his private fortune to found "Brave Express Squad"? which consists of several robots. They are the robots that have various special abilities. Above all, the leader, Gaine, has a super artificial intelligence and has own personality. They can transform into trains. In case of incidents, they will appear anywhere in the world using the highly developed railway system. Another horrible Sunrise mecha. I welcome the fact that it's humor-focused so that there is a single reason that someone might watch it longer. A collection of beaten stamps besides that.   Overall Rating: 5/10   5. Aa! Megami-sama! ああっ女神さまっ  [AIC] (Finished 5/5) Tags: Seinen Comedy, Romance, Supernatural When college student Keiichi Morisato dials the wrong number while ordering for some food at his dormitory, he accidentally gets connected to the Goddess Hotline and a beautiful goddess named Belldandy appears out of a mirror in front of him. After getting kicked out of the dorm, Keiichi and Belldandy move to an old shrine and soon afterwards, Belldandy's sisters Urd and Skuld move in. Tenchi was the first harem, although it did not feel mature with normal protagonist and heroines that looked a bit childish. Megami-sama is an attempt to bring in harem with mature , yet fantasy-imbued females and slightly mischievous protagonist, as well as focus on actual romance rather than repelling space invaders. It's just six episodes, so as long as the whole cast gathers there's already anxiety about future parting and finale arc to start. So there's hardly anything to evaluate as the core itself between beginning and ending is missing.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Dragon Half ドラゴンハーフ [Production I.G] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Parody Comedy, Fantasy Mink is no ordinary teenage girl, being half-human and half-dragon. Her father had fallen in love with a red dragon he intended to kill, and instead of slaying the dragon, he married her. Their union gave birth to Mink, who inherited horns, a tail, retractable wings, and incredible strength—characteristics which signify her dragon half nature. Mink spends her days accompanied by her friend Pia, a dwarf girl with overprotective parents, and her best friend Lufa, an elf with great healing powers but impressively bad magic. The three find themselves mooning over the dreamy and charming dragonslayer, Dick Saucer. But in a sudden, absurd turn of events, Mink gets closer than ever to the object of her fantasies, only to realize that her love may never be reciprocated because of her dragon heritage. Thus, the trio sets out on a quest to find a potion that will make Mink fully human. They may unwittingly make enemies, but they are sure to have one heck of a good time. A comedy about cute half-dragon female and a group that sends dragon hunters after her... but she tries to get main dragon-hunter autograph all the time. It's fun enough, but too short to matter.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Moldiver モルダイバー [AIC] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Mecha Action, Romance, Sci-Fi Hiroshi Ozora invents the Mol Unit, a device that makes its user invincible. His plans of becoming a super hero are short lived however when his sister, Mirai, accidently modifies the suit configuration. Now she is forced to save Tokyo by herself from the evil Machinegal and his gang of all-female androids. What's there to like? Girl fighting mecha? Story? Action? Humor? Absolutely everything is average here, plus a fat doze of fanservice is mixed in for better digestion. It looks like Moldiver tried to play at the field of Gunbuster and humiliated itself miserably.   Overall Rating: 5/10   8. Kishin Heidan Kishin Corps 機神兵団 [AIC] (Finished 7/7) Tags: Historical, Mecha Adventure, Sci-Fi October 1941, as the second World War threatens to destroy the civilized world, an unforeseen complication suddenly occurs. An alien invasion! Despite the sudden appearance of these extraterrestrial aggressors, the Axis and Allies continue their destructive conflict. Only the Kishin Corps and their giant Geo-Armor Robots (a.k.a.: Kishin), developed from a captured alien robot soldier, stand between the Earth and total annihilation! A teenager, named Taishi, suddenly finds himself at the center of a struggle over a mysterious black attaché case entrusted to him by his father, Professor Tokamura. The case contains the controlling mechanism for one of the giant Geo-Armor Robots, and the Japanese Kanto Army, the alien invaders, and the Kishin Corps all want to recover the device! Between the spies, the armies, the aliens, and the Giant Robots, Taishi is in for an epic adventure—if he can survive it! The plot just leaves me speechless, because it's hard to imagine a person who reads this synopsis and says yeah, I'd like to watch it. I don't like mecha or action, so there's nothing to like here at all. Don't watch this stupidity. It may be contagious. .   Overall Rating: 4/10   9. Kouryuu Densetsu Villgust 甲竜伝説ヴィルガスト [animate Film] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance Villgust is a peaceful world that exists parallel to ours. However, now an evil deity has been revived and has sent evil creatures to destroy many countries, which left darkness and terror to rule the world. The peoples' prayers and cries has reached out to the goddess Windina and in order to free the world from darkness she chose eight brave warriors to defeat the evil deity. Although blessed, these warriors are unaware at the path chosen for them, thus the two groups of Kui, Chris, Fanna, and Youta must meet up with Murobo, Remi, Ryuquir, and Bostov before they can follow the path chosen for them and defeat the evil deity. Adventurer party is always great. Adventurer parties fighting each others make my blood boil. But compared to Lodoss this one is much shorter, comedy focused and even with chibi characters. Decent is all it can get.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Unkai no Meikyuu Zeguy 雲界の迷宮ZEGUY [KSS] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy Mysterious warriors appear to blast Miki into another dimension! She flees her captors only to find herself trapped in a world of monsters and madmen who plot the downfall of Earth. The only power that can possible save her (and the world) is that of the mysterious Mask of Zeguy. Miki must embark on a life-or-death quest for this talisman, with the villains who kidnapped in hot pursuit! Warp in time is usually a bad idea. Gathering famous people from different era is usually a bad idea. Cramping it all into two episodes with very little explanation is definitely a bad idea.   Overall Rating: 5/10   11. Al Caral no Isan Legacy of Aru Kararu アル・カラルの遺産 [animate Film] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Space Sci-Fi In the 26th century, humans discover a humanoid race living on the distant world GO/7498/2, a dark-skinned, golden-eyed people who seem to eke out a primitive, carefree existence. However, a scout team from Earth discovers that there is more to them than meets the eye--they live in symbiosis with vicious reptilian parasites, and the Terran scientists have upset the delicate natural balance. Another work that aims to appeal to space exploration fans. Very uninspiring development and anticlimactic ending.   Overall Rating: 5/10   12. Magma Taishi Ambassador Magma マグマ大使 [Tezuka Productions] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Shounen Space, Super Power Action, Sci-Fi The alien invader Goa plots to conquer the Earth. He first warns the Murakami family (father Atsushi, mother Tomoko, and son Mamoru) of their invasion, and demonstrates his powers by transporting them to a prehistoric jungle and destroying a Giant Dinosaur before their very eyes. But they will not agree to surrender to Goa, so hope comes in the form of Magma, an armored, golden giant with long hair and antennae. He and his human-sized wife Mol, both created by the wizard Earth are sent to defend our world against Goa. They befriend Atsushi and Mamoru, the latter has Magma emotionally touched, as he wanted to have a child with his wife Mol, so Earth creates a duplicate of Mamoru, named Gam Earth gives Mamoru a whistle, with which he can call Gam Mol and Magma in times of crisis. So when Goa unleashes his various daikaiju, chances are, Magma, Mol, and Gam will fly to the rescue. Tezuka Productions is reviving a very ancient franchise, and it's worrying since those old franchises are usually too simple for 1990s already. It's not something I'd usually watch, but I'm interested in studio evolution. It did pretty well with Oniisama e... , but this time story is much more comples with multiple protagonists - Mamoru, his clone Namu and superpower wielding Magma. They rarely are in one place, so there are constant shifts between different stages, and that irritates a lot, especially if we're getting distracted for nothing like Magma fighting just one more giant octopus or something. There's not enough verbal explanation, and there are often unexplained actions happening and new actors encountered. Another pain is Mamoru himself, as he always shouts hysterically. Setting gets finalized only by the end of 6th episodes, and, needless to say, few would wait up to this point. The giant and dinosaur happen only in 11th episodes with 13 episodes total. It's all very confusing. As I see it, Tezuka Productions took this manga up for staging because it was moderately interesting, old and because it had some environmentalism with Mother Earth as one of the characters. What I like in this work is visuals, animation techniques occasionally used, one continuous story where each episode is totally different, character and monster designs. What I don't like is pretty much everything else - story, huge number of characters, confusion, hysterical protagonist, magma himself as invulnerable pseudo-mecha, many remnants of the ancient 60s works.   Overall Rating: 5/10   13. Anata ga Furikaeru Toki あなたが振り返るとき  [Grouper Productions] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shoujo School Romance Three shorts based on stories by Hanai Aiko, who also directed this OVA. Not translated. Omnibus with 30 minutes length means it's 10 minutes per school romance story. But it's not the worst thing here. Basically, it's colored still images and camera just moves left-right, corner-corner, zoom in-out. There are rare exceptions, but it can't be called anime, just a shame.   Overall Rating: 4/10   14. Offside オフサイド  [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Drama, Sports Main character Goro Kumagai leads a small soccer high school club to success. Not translated. Length is just 50 mins, so there is only some match, sudden drama of love interest girl, then credits for the first half, and second half begins with all drama forgotten, another match ensues. What nonsense.   Overall Rating: 4/10   15. Ganbare Goemon: Jigen Jou no Akumu がんばれゴエモン 次元城の悪夢 [AIC] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Comedy It was originally released in 1991 as part of a campaign to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Ganbare Goemon series, being distributed as a lottery prize for purchasers of the Super Famicom game Ganbare Goemon: Yukihime Kyūshutsu Emaki (known outside of Japan as The Legend of the Mystical Ninja). It was later distributed as a user gift tie-in for purchasers of Ganbare Goemon 3: Shishijūrokubē no Karakuri Manji Gatame. The OVA features segments parodying three other popular Konami franchises: Gradius, Akumajō Dracula and TwinBee. Since it's just a fan story for NES game with multiple crossovers, it's 25 minutes of pure chaos. To get something from the story should wait for the series released in 1997.   Overall Rating: 4/10   16. Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama ラーマーヤナ ラーマ王子伝説 [Nippon Ramayana Film Co.] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure  Rama, the eldest prince of the Kingdom of Ayodhya, is beloved by all and the natural successor to his father's throne. However, when one of his father's wives conspires to get her son on the throne instead, Rama ends up being banished into the woods for 14 years. Accompanied by his wife, Sita, and his brother, Lakshman—Rama tries to make the most of life in exile despite his challenges. The trio's life in the forest is interrupted, however, when Demon King Ravan sets his sights on Sita. Using a crafty plan, he manages to distract Rama and steal Sita away to his castle. Heartbroken and distraught, Rama searches every corner of the world for his wife, unaware of the lengths he will have to go to rescue her. No offence intended, but story is a nonsense bore from a dated source. It was made with only Indian watchers in mind. The only way anyone would want to watch it is being Indian/needing to write report on Ramayana/being forced to watch it on TV.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Sangokushi: Dai Ni Bu - Choukou Moyu! Great Conquest: Romance of Three Kingdoms 三国志 第二部 長江燃ゆ! [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical Action An anime based on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms novel. Continuation of Sangokushi: Dai Ichi Bu - Eiyuu-tachi no Yoake that I absolutely hated as humiliation to original movies and series. This sequel again beats around the bush and kinda ends with naval battle. Why? Why ruin absolutely perfect franchise with absolutely horrible remake?.   Overall Rating: 3/10
  6. kivandopulus
    There's a scattering of minor masterpieces : Blend S , Inuyashiki , 3-gatsu no Lion 2nd Season , Juuni Taisen and Wo Shi Jiang Xiaobai with Juuni Taisen probably leaving the biggest impact on me.   1. Black Clover ブラッククローバー  [Pierrot] (Finished 5/170) Tags: Shounen Action, Comedy, Fantasy  Asta and Yuno were abandoned at the same church on the same day. Raised together as children, they came to know of the "Wizard King"—a title given to the strongest mage in the kingdom—and promised that they would compete against each other for the position of the next Wizard King. However, as they grew up, the stark difference between them became evident. While Yuno is able to wield magic with amazing power and control, Asta cannot use magic at all and desperately tries to awaken his powers by training physically. When they reach the age of 15, Yuno is bestowed a spectacular Grimoire with a four-leaf clover, while Asta receives nothing. However, soon after, Yuno is attacked by a person named Lebuty, whose main purpose is to obtain Yuno's Grimoire. Asta tries to fight Lebuty, but he is outmatched. Though without hope and on the brink of defeat, he finds the strength to continue when he hears Yuno's voice. Unleashing his inner emotions in a rage, Asta receives a five-leaf clover Grimoire, a "Black Clover" giving him enough power to defeat Lebuty. A few days later, the two friends head out into the world, both seeking the same goal—to become the Wizard King! I only tried to restart it once when mixed it up with Hai to Gensou no Grimgar - that's how lowly I evaluate Black Clover. A good shounen, but that's it, and I'm not a fan of shounens as a genre.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Shokugeki no Souma: San no Sara Food Wars! The Third Plate 食戟のソーマ 餐ノ皿 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen School Gourmet, Ecchi The Moon Festival is Tootsuki Academy's annual gourmet gala, where students compete against each other to earn the most profit through selling their cuisine of choice. But for Souma Yukihira, it is also his first opportunity to challenge the Elite Ten, the supreme council that rules over the academy. However, this is only the beginning of Souma's war against the Elite Ten; a nefarious plot is underway that will provide Souma with the challenge he desires but will also shake the very foundations of Tootsuki Academy itself. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Mahoutsukai no Yome The Ancient Magus' Bride 魔法使いの嫁 [Wit Studio] (Finished 4/24) Tags: Shounen Mythology Drama, Fantasy, Romance Chise Hatori, a 15-year-old Japanese girl, was sold for five million pounds at an auction to a tall masked gentleman. Abandoned at a young age and ridiculed by her peers for her unconventional behavior, she was ready to give herself to any buyer if it meant having a place to go home to. In chains and on her way to an unknown fate, she hears whispers from robed men along her path, gossiping and complaining that such a buyer got his hands on a rare Sleigh Beggy. Ignoring the murmurs, the mysterious man leads the girl to a study, where he reveals himself to be Elias Ainsworth—a magus. After a brief confrontation and a bit of teleportation magic, the two open their eyes to Elias' picturesque cottage in rural England. Greeted by fairies and surrounded by weird and wonderful beings upon her arrival, these events mark the beginning of Chise's story as the apprentice and supposed bride of the ancient magus. In what universe is this called shounen? It's a seriously boring shoujo through and through. Better than OVA, but still a torment. It might have some story unwind eventually, but after first four episodes it still has not and it's still typical girl investigating the unusual world in awe and her super wise instructor being patronizing. Guess it's all about the looks and the unusual world.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Blend S BLEND-S ブレンド・S [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Otaku Culture, Romantic Subtext, Workplace Comedy Wishing to be independent, 16-year-old Maika Sakuranomiya is desperate to nail down a part-time job so that she can afford to study abroad. Unfortunately, her applications are constantly rejected due to the menacing look she unintentionally makes whenever she smiles, despite her otherwise cheerful disposition. After yet another failed interview, she chances upon Café Stile, a coffee shop where the servers interact with the customers while roleplaying distinctive characteristics. The Italian store manager, Dino, becomes infatuated with Maika's cuteness at first sight, and offers her a job as a waitress with a sadistic nature. Coupled with her inherent clumsiness, she successfully manages to serve a pair of masochistic customers in accordance with her new, ruthless persona. Alongside Kaho Hinata as the tsundere and Mafuyu Hoshikawa as the younger sister, Maika decides to make the most out of her unique quirk and cements her position in the cafe with merciless cruelty! Feels like Wagnaria, but with more variation. It has good enough humor and characters, so can't deny it a masterpiece, but can't rate it too high as after a few years I completely forgot the title and the fact that I watched it.   Overall Rating: 7/10   5. Inuyashiki Inuyashiki: Last Hero いぬやしき [MAPPA] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Seinen Gore, Psychological Action, Drama, Sci-Fi Ichirou Inuyashiki is a 58-year-old family man who is going through a difficult time in his life. Though his frequent back problems are painful, nothing hurts quite as much as the indifference and distaste that his wife and children have for him. Despite this, Ichirou still manages to find solace in Hanako, an abandoned Shiba Inu that he adopts into his home. However, his life takes a turn for the worse when a follow-up physical examination reveals that Ichirou has stomach cancer and only three months to live; though he tries to be strong, his family's disinterest causes an emotional breakdown. Running off into a nearby field, Ichirou embraces his dog and weeps—until he notices a strange figure standing before him. Suddenly, a bright light appears and Ichirou is enveloped by smoke and dust. When he comes to, he discovers something is amiss—he has been reborn as a mechanized weapon wearing the skin of his former self. Though initially shocked, the compassionate Ichirou immediately uses his newfound powers to save a life, an act of kindness that fills him with happiness and newfound hope. However, the origins of these strange powers remain unclear. Who was the mysterious figure at the site of the explosion, and are they as kind as Ichirou when it comes to using this dangerous gift? Not sure I really enjoyed it, but it's a memorable thought provoking story. I see it as Death Note imitation that is done with skill as expected from Gantz author.   Overall Rating: 7/10   6. Net-juu no Susume Recovery of an MMO Junkie ネト充のススメ [Signal.MD] (Finished 10/10) Tags: Adult Cast, Video Game Comedy, Romance For the first time since graduating high school, 30-year-old Moriko Morioka is unemployed—and she couldn't be happier. Having quit her long-standing job of over 11 years, Moriko quickly turns to online games to pass her now-plentiful free time, reinventing herself as the handsome and dashing male hero "Hayashi" in the MMO Fruits de Mer. With the pesky societal obligations of the real world out of the way, she blissfully dives headfirst into the realm of the game, where she promptly meets the kind and adorable healer Lily. Befriending each other almost instantly, the two become inseparable just as Moriko herself becomes more and more engrossed in her new "life" as Hayashi. Eventually, Moriko adopts the reclusive lifestyle in its entirety, venturing out from the safety of her apartment only when absolutely necessary. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Moriko, a timid 28-year-old corporate worker named Yuuta Sakurai has also logged onto Fruits de Mer from the other side of town. Coincidentally bumping into each other at the convenience store one night, both write off their meeting as no more than just another awkward encounter with a stranger—however, fate has more in store for them than they think. MMO is a great theme for anime, but this one just sucks. First of all, the very notion of mmo junkie requiring rehabilitation, next, vigorous advertisement of lootboxes, and finally, harassment over discovering private information. So many red flags and the result is just clumsy pseudo-romance without good characters or story. Lots of cringe for absolutely nothing.   Overall Rating: 5/10   7. Houseki no Kuni Land of the Lustrous 宝石の国 [Orange] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Anthropomorphic Action, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery In the mysterious future, crystalline organisms called Gems inhabit a world that has been destroyed by six meteors. Each Gem is assigned a role in order to fight against the Lunarians, a species who attacks them in order to shatter their bodies and use them as decorations. Phosphophyllite, also known as Phos, is a young and fragile Gem who dreams of helping their friends in the war effort. Instead, they are told to compile an encyclopedia because of their delicate condition. After begrudgingly embarking on this task, Phos meets Cinnabar, an intelligent gem who has been relegated to patrolling the isolated island at night because of the corrosive poison their body creates. After seeing how unhappy Cinnabar is, Phos decides to find a role that both of the rejected Gems can enjoy. Houseki no Kuni follows Phos' efforts to be useful and protect their fellow Gems. Full CGI. Welcome to the top rated anime on MAL this season! And that pisses me off... Only finished it so I could rant about it more. What people in reviews like about it? Beautiful animation! Even though it's way worse compared to latest Appleseed, Biohazard or Final Fantasy movies. Great characters and interactions! That's pretty stupid, because characters don't even have names, they are called by different stones names. Story is crumbling, because of a big number of such protagonists who get swapped all the time and because it's of reactive character when some creatures attack and someone somehow defends. It's not bad, but nothing special at all.   Overall Rating: 5/10   8. Kekkai Sensen & Beyond Blood Blockade Battlefront & Beyond  [Bones] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Super Power, Vampire Action, Fantasy Three years ago, a gateway between Earth and the Beyond opened in New York City, trapping extradimensional creatures and humans alike in an impermeable bubble. After the city's restoration, monsters, magic, and madness are common findings in the area now known as Hellsalem's Lot. Leonardo Watch, a young photographer who unwillingly obtained the "All-seeing Eyes of the Gods" in exchange for his sister's eyesight, came to this paranormal city to find answers to the mysterious power that he possesses. He later finds his life drastically changed when he joins Libra, a secret organization of people with supernatural abilities dedicated to maintaining order in the everyday chaos of Hellsalem's Lot. However, this is only the beginning of Leonardo's unexpected journey ahead. Regardless of the constant threat of otherworldly enemies, he is determined to uncover the secrets of his power and find a way to restore his sister's eyesight. Kekkai Sensen & Beyond follows Leonardo as he sets off on more crazy adventures with his comrades, fighting to ensure peace and order. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. 3-gatsu no Lion 2nd Season March Comes In Like a Lion 2nd Season 3月のライオン 第2シリーズ [Shaft] (Finished 22/22) Tags: Seinen Childcare, Strategy Game Drama Now in his second year of high school, Rei Kiriyama continues pushing through his struggles in the professional shogi world as well as his personal life. Surrounded by vibrant personalities at the shogi hall, the school club, and in the local community, his solitary shell slowly begins to crack. Among them are the three Kawamoto sisters—Akari, Hinata, and Momo—who forge an affectionate and familial bond with Rei. Through these ties, he realizes that everyone is burdened by their own emotional hardships and begins learning how to rely on others while supporting them in return. Nonetheless, the life of a professional is not easy. Between tournaments, championships, and title matches, the pressure mounts as Rei advances through the ranks and encounters incredibly skilled opponents. As he manages his relationships with those who have grown close to him, the shogi player continues to search for the reason he plays the game that defines his career. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 7/10   10. Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou Girls' Last Tour 少女終末旅行 [White Fox] (Finished 3/12) Tags: CGDCT, Iyashikei, Survival Adventure, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Slice of Life Amid the desolate remains of a once-thriving city, only the rumbling of a motorbike breaks the cold winter silence. Its riders, Chito and Yuuri, are the last survivors in the war-torn city. Scavenging old military sites for food and parts, the two girls explore the wastelands and speculate about the old world to pass the time. Chito and Yuuri each occasionally struggle with the looming solitude, but when they have each other, sharing the weight of being two of the last humans becomes a bit more bearable. Between Yuuri's clumsy excitement and Chito's calm composure, their dark days get a little brighter with shooting practice, new books, and snowball fights on the frozen battlefield. Among a scenery of barren landscapes and deserted buildings, Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou tells the uplifting tale of two girls and their quest to find hope in a bleak and dying world. I remember trying and dropping this series, because it's just another Kino no Tabi variation. And dialogues are main entertainment here. It's of slow pace, and exploration is rather boring.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Imouto sae Ireba Ii. A Sister's All You Need 妹さえいればいい。 [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Adult Cast Comedy, Romance, Ecchi  Itsuki Hashima is a light novelist obsessed with little sisters, strictly focusing on them when he writes his stories. Despite his personality, he is surrounded by a tight circle of friends: Nayuta Kani, a genius yet perverted novelist who is in love with him; Haruto Fuwa, a fellow male author whose work has seen considerable success; Miyako Shirakawa, a good friend that he met in college; and Chihiro, his perfect younger step-brother who takes care of the housework and cooking. Together, they play strange games, go on spontaneous journeys, crack silly jokes, and celebrate each other's successes. However, each individual must also deal with their own issues, whether it is struggling to meet a deadline or coming to terms with traumatic events buried in their past. It seems to aim for OreImo or Eromanga Sensei, but it fails due to being too plain and unfunny. Characters are ok, but don't see any other good points here.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Just Because!  [PINE JAM] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Love Polygon, School Drama, Romance As another school year begins drawing to a close, the third-year high school students move steadily toward the next milestone of their lives: graduation. Among them are Mio Natsume, a girl burdened with lingering feelings; Hazuki Morikawa, a member of the concert band but distant from the others; and Haruto Souma, an athlete obsessed with baseball. Meanwhile, second-year student Ena Komiya seeks to revive the photography club to its former glory, refusing to let the organization be disbanded. Though this group lacks a strong connection with one another, their lives suddenly cross paths with the arrival of a third-year transfer student. While a transfer so close to graduation is unusual for most, it is business as usual for Eita Izumi. Due to his father's work, he has never been able to stay in one place for very long. But as luck would have it, their most recent relocation has returned Eita to his hometown for his final semester of high school. For better or worse, it also sparks the rekindling of old relationships left behind in the past. With graduation already causing its own share of anxieties, Eita's sudden arrival brings these students' carefree days to an abrupt end. Long-forgotten memories, deeply buried emotions, and inspiring new passions—everything is brought to light in their bittersweet final semester. I prefer dorama for realistic SOL.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Juuni Taisen Juni Taisen: Zodiac War 十二大戦 [Graphinica] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Gore, Survival Action Every 12 years, mercenaries who possess the highest caliber of brute strength, cunning wit, and deadly precision gather to participate in the Zodiac Tournament. Each warrior bears the name and attributes of one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. With their pride and lives on the line, they engage in vicious combat until only the victor remains. The 12th Zodiac Tournament begins in a desolate city, devoid of any evidence of the half million people who recently lived there. To raise the stakes, each warrior ingests a poisonous gem, thus setting a time limit on the tournament—and on their life. With one wish for the victor up for grabs, the Zodiac Warriors start their cutthroat battle for survival. A great example of fresh approach to battle royale.   Overall Rating: 7/10   14. Boku no Kanojo ga Majimesugiru Sho-bitch na Ken My Girlfriend is Shobitch 僕の彼女がマジメ過ぎるしょびっちな件 [Diomedéa, Studio Blanc.] (Finished 2/10) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Haruka Shinozaki has been interested in the class representative, Akiho Kousaka, since his first year in high school. She is attractive, good at sports, and is an all-around model student. Since they are in the same class this year, Shinozaki decides to confess his feelings—and, to his shock, Kousaka agrees to be his girlfriend! However, he finds that Kousaka is a bit stranger than he first thought: this seemingly perfect girl has never been in a relationship. But even though she is inexperienced, she vows to please Shinozaki in every way she can... such as learning multiple sex positions or his fetishes. Shinozaki tries to assure her that her studies into such subjects aren't necessary, but Kousaka devotes herself to making him happy in more ways than one. Harems evolve bit by bit, but this representative is still being pretty messy and useless just not fun.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Himouto! Umaru-chan R 干物妹！うまるちゃんR [Doga Kobo] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Otaku Culture, School Comedy Umaru Doma is a model student who has a hidden side: when she gets home each day, she puts on her hamster hoodie and turns into a sluggish otaku fond of junk food. As Umaru continues these daily antics, the friendship between her and her classmates—Nana Ebina, Kirie Motoba, and Sylphinford Tachibana—deepens, and more and more interesting events begin to unfold. Of course, these events give rise to numerous questions. What did Nana ask of Umaru's brother Taihei? Who is the mysterious girl with the diamond hairpin? And most important of all: why does this girl seem to know Umaru? These questions and more will be answered in Himouto! Umaru-chan R! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Ousama Game The Animation King's Game 王様ゲーム The Animation [Seven] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Gore, High Stakes Game, School, Survival Drama, Horror, Mystery, Supernatural It can be rough transferring to a new school—even more so if you don't want to make any friends, like Nobuaki Kanazawa. But the reason for his antisocial behavior soon becomes clear when his class receives a text from someone called "The King." Included are instructions for the "King's Game," and all class members must participate. Those who refuse to play, quit halfway, or don't follow an order in the allotted time of 24 hours will receive a deadly punishment. Having played the game before and watched as those around him died, Nobuaki tries to warn his clueless classmates. Unfortunately, they only believe him after the King's Game claims its first casualties. Stuck in a horrific situation with no chance of escape, Nobuaki has a choice: put his own survival above those around him, or do what he couldn't before and save his classmates. It's development of concept presented in The Lost Village anime, so a very niche story.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Kujira no Kora wa Sajou ni Utau Children of the Whales クジラの子らは砂上に歌う [J.C.Staff] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shoujo Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi In a world covered by an endless sea of sand, there sails an island known as the Mud Whale. In its interior lies an ancient town, where the majority of its inhabitants are said to be "Marked," a double-edged trait that grants them supernatural abilities at the cost of an untimely death. Chakuro is the village archivist; young and curious, he spends his time documenting the discovery of newfound islands. But each one is like the rest—abandoned save for the remnants of those who lived there long ago. For the first time in six months, another island crosses the horizon, so Chakuro and his friends join the scouting group. During the expedition, they find vestiges of an archaic civilization. And inside one of its crumbling remains, Chakuro discovers a girl who will change his destiny and the world inside the Mud Whale as he knows it. Mystery , fantasy, characters ... everything is half-baked here and thus disappointing as it had potential.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Itsudatte Bokura no Koi wa 10 cm Datta. Our love has always been 10 centimeters apart. いつだって僕らの恋は10センチだった。 [Lay-duce] (Finished 6/6) Tags: School, Visual Arts Drama, Romance Miou Aida and Haruki Serizawa might seem like polar opposites to those around them, but as the two third-years prepare to end their high school experience, they couldn't have been closer. While Miou is a shy and reserved member of the school art club that prefers to stay out of the limelight, Haruki is the boisterous and confident ace of the movie club, already winning awards for his directing prowess. However, after a previous chance encounter during their school entrance ceremony, they quickly become friends despite their stark differences in personality. But although their closeness might be growing, they've never become anything more than just that, much to the bewilderment of their friends. As their time in high school draws to a close, Miou and Haruki, along with their friends in the art and movie clubs, have just one year left to face their hidden feelings and the daunting task of deciding their future careers. The two might always be only an arm's reach away, but as Haruki chases his dream of becoming a professional movie director and Miou struggles with choosing a path for herself, they'll learn just how hard it is to get past those last 10 centimeters. Pretty banal school romance, but quality can be called above average.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. UQ Holder! Mahou Sensei Negima! 2 UQ Holder! UQ HOLDER! ～魔法先生ネギま！2～ [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi Touta Konoe is an ordinary boy raised in a small rural town. His mundane life suddenly changes when his mentor, Yukihime, reveals herself to be a vampire; after saving Touta from a mortal wound, she causes him to become immortal as well. Already yearning to explore the world, young Touta finally puts his dream to ascend to the top of Amanomihashira—a tower that leads to outer space—into realization. Along the way, he finds a secret society filled with immortals just like him called "UQ Holders." Gaining new comrades and mentorship along the way, Touta embarks on his own unique, magical adventure. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World - The Animated Series Kino's Journey -the Beautiful World- the Animated Series キノの旅 -the Beautiful World- the Animated Series [Lerche] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy  When 15-year-old Kino is feeling weighed down by heavy thoughts, one thing always manages to cheer her up: traveling. Nothing fills her heart with joy like exploring the beautiful, wonderful world around her and the fascinating ways people find to live. However, Kino is not as helpless as her cute appearance and courteous demeanor suggest. Armed with "Cannon" and "Woodsman," her trusted handguns, Kino isn't afraid to kill anyone who would dare to get in her way. Always by her side is her best friend and loyal companion Hermes, a sentient motorcycle, who supports Kino through the sorrows and hardships of their journey. Together, they travel the vast countryside with the shared goal of always moving forward, and a single rule: never stay in one country for more than three days. As Kino and Hermes encounter new people and learn the rules of their civilizations, they grow and find out more about their own values and virtues. But as Kino slowly discovers the world around her, she also finds herself facing dangers that linger within the vast unknown. Remake.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Gintama.: Porori-hen Gintama.: Slip Arc 銀魂。ポロリ編 [Bandai Namco Pictures] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, Historical, Parody, Samurai Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi Following the grim events of Iga, Kokujou Island, Rakuyou, and multiple fruitless confrontations with the Tenshouin Naraku and Tendoshuu, Gintama.: Porori-hen takes its viewers on a trip down memory lane to when Yorozuya were mostly doing what they did best—odd jobs. The great space hunter Umibouzu has returned to Edo and is livid when he finds out that his daughter Kagura has a boyfriend. He blames Gintoki for being an incompetent guardian, but has the time finally come for him to let go of his daughter? Back with shameless parodies, risqué humor, and lively camaraderie, Gintoki, Kagura, and Shinpachi are faced with unforeseen situations that manage to be both hilarious and emotionally stirring. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Konohana Kitan このはな綺譚 [Lerche] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Seinen Anthropomorphic, CGDCT, Iyashikei, Mythology, Workplace Fantasy, Girls Love, Slice of Life In a bustling village of spirits, Yuzu, a cheerful fox girl, starts her first job as an attendant at the traditional hot springs inn Konohanatei. Though Yuzu has no experience working at such a high-class establishment, Kiri, the affable and reliable head attendant, immediately puts her to work learning the basics. While Yuzu's eagerness initially proves to be more of a hindrance than a blessing, her playful nature brings a unique charm to the inn, as both customers and her fellow workers quickly warm up to her clumsy yet well-meaning mistakes. Under the guidance of the other foxes—the rigid Satsuki, the carefree Natsume, the critical Ren, and the quiet Sakura—Yuzu steadily learns the trade of an inn attendant while learning to love the magical world surrounding her. Konohana Kitan presents the heartwarming tale of a simple fox girl forging bonds with others and finding a home amidst the mysterious, beautiful world of spirits. Folklore world SOL akin to Life of Centaur girl, but with inn as a stage. Not great.   Overall Rating: 5/10   23. Dies Irae  [A.C.G.T.] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Military, Super Power Action Ren Fujii is a normal student who just had a fistfight with his former best friend, leading him to break off their friendship. But with the help of his childhood friend, Kasumi Ayase, and upperclassman, Rea Himuro, he's gradually returning to his normal school life. Then a series of brutal murders in which the victims are decapitated begins to strike their city. Strangely, at the same time, Ren starts to have terrifying nightmares of being beheaded by a guillotine. But these are just a prelude to the painful and terrifying battles to come. Have not watched continuation, so without proper ending there can't be strong impression yet. So far it's a mixed bag.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Love Live! Sunshine!! 2nd Season Love Live! Sunshine!! Season 2 ラブライブ！サンシャイン!! 第2期 [Sunrise] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Idols (Female), Music, School Slice of Life Having decided to walk down a path separate from their inspirations as idols, the girls of Aqours are more determined than ever to shine brilliantly as school idols. With their previous performance marginally increasing the number of prospective students for their endangered school, they look to carry the momentum of their small step forward into the school's upcoming open house and the next Love Live competition. Hoping to use these events to bring more attention to their school, the nine girls look to give their best performances yet. Unfortunately, these small steps forward are not enough to convince Mari Ohara's father from changing his plans. Undeterred by Mari's pleas for reconsideration, the decision to close down the school is made official, putting an end to Uranohoshi Girls' High School's student recruitment, including the open house. Though all hope seems to be lost, the school idols refuse to give up. Faced with impossible odds, Aqours sings, dances, and shines in the hopes of bringing about a miracle. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   25. Evil or Live  [Haoliners Animation League] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Gore, Psychological, School, Survival Horror Severe internet addiction has become an epidemic infecting the nation's youth, ultimately resulting in their extreme dependence on the world wide web. Those who are too far gone are enrolled at Elite Reeducation Academy in order to help them grow into successful adults. Hibiki is one such teenager who awakens in the facility unaware of how he came to be there. He learns from the head instructor that he was knocked out and brought to the school at his mother's behest, concerned with how belligerent her son was becoming as a result of his internet addiction. Stuck in a place more akin to a prison than an academy, and with no escape from the abuses of the instructors, Hibiki decides to end his life by jumping from the roof. But as fate would have it, he meets a mysterious man named Shin who promises to give his life meaning... Did not expect Prison School imitations to start popping up so soon. It looses in comparison big time though. Plus it's pretty negative, so not really enjoyable.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Animegataris Anime-Gataris アニメガタリズ [WAO World] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Otaku Culture, Parody, School Comedy After dreaming about an anime she used to watch as a child, Minoa Asagaya could not forget a particularly memorable scene. However, despite her best efforts, she cannot recall the name of the show. Due to this, Minoa asks for help from her fellow classmates at Sakaneko High School. Her conversation is overheard by Arisu Kamiigusa, the most popular and wealthy girl in class who is also a hardcore otaku. Yet even with her vast knowledge, Arisu does not recognize the show. After discovering that there isn't an anime club at their school, Minoa and Arisu create the Anime Research Club, as they may obtain the answer to Minoa's mystery if they gather people who share the same interest. Thus, Minoa is exposed to a bizarre new world—the world of anime! Rather mediocre series about anime club. Without great characters, good humor or Genshiken-like realism it's lackluster in everything.   Overall Rating: 6/10   27. Garo: Vanishing Line GARO -VANISHING LINE- 牙狼〈GARO〉-VANISHING LINE- [MAPPA] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Mythology Action, Fantasy, Supernatural Corruption looms over the prosperous Russell City, where manifestations of negative emotions called Horrors cause chaos and mayhem. The Makai Order is the last bastion of hope against these unholy creatures. Using several small businesses as fronts, they deploy powerful Makai Knights and magical Makai Alchemists to combat the Horror threat. Within this secretive order, the highest rank of Golden Knight has been bestowed upon a large, powerful man named Sword, granting him use of the Garo armor and blade. He alone knows of a plot that threatens the entire Makai Order, with his only hint being the phrase “El Dorado." While fighting a Horror, he encounters Sophia "Sophie" Hennis, a teenage girl whose brother's disappearance years ago is also linked to the same phrase. The two agree to work together to uncover the truth behind "El Dorado" and the disappearance of Sophie's brother. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Osomatsu-san 2nd Season Mr. Osomatsu 2 おそ松さん 第2期 [Pierrot] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Gag Humor, Parody Comedy Second season of Osomatsu-san. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Hoozuki no Reitetsu 2nd Season Hozuki's Coolheadedness 2 鬼灯の冷徹 第弐期 [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Mythology Comedy, Fantasy Just as in this life, the afterlife needs a calm troubleshooter to deal with the bureaucratic headaches that come from keeping things in order. Enter Hozuki: a cool and collected demon who’s badly in need of a vacation. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   30. Urahara  [Shirogumi, EMT Squared] (Finished 8/12) Tags: Mahou Shoujo, Psychological Comedy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi Three high school girls are putting together a limited-time shop called "PARK" in Japan's Harajuku. One day, aliens come to Earth with the intent to steal the famed district's culture. At the same time, a mysterious girl appears. The three girls band together to defeat the alien threat and protect their beloved Harajuku. Mahou shoujo, but with smaller girls and rather mild with main theme being friendship, although whirling around complexes and past to make it "psychological". It tries to be creative, but ends up being ordinary.   Overall Rating: 5/10   31. Two Car つうかあ [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Racing  Two Car follows high schoolers Yuri Miyata and Megumi Meguro as they battle six other rival pairs in the sport of motorcycle sidecar racing. Racing goes without me.   Overall Rating: 5/10   32. Wake Up, Girls! Shin Shou Wake Up, Girls! New Chapter Wake Up, Girls！新章 [Millepensee] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Drama "Wake Up, Girls!" is the story of growth and friendship of seven girls living in Sendai, Miyagi who form the idol group "Wake Up, Girls! (WUG)" and work together to become top idols. Operating under a small production company in Sendai known as "Green Leaves Entertainment," WUG overcame countless obstacles to beat national idol group "I-1 club" at the Idol Festival and win the event. They had suddenly become top idols... but with an idol recession going on, things weren't so easy. The days of steady and honest idol work continued for the girls. Meanwhile, Sendai-based middle school trio Hayashi Ayumi, Morishima Otome, and Atsugi Itsuka have developed an increasing desire to become idols... Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   33. Dynamic Chord  [Pierrot, Pierrot Plus] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Music  Dynamic Chord is a record company and music agency representing the hottest artists right now with, in particular, four of the country's most popular bands. They are rêve parfait with its own unique world view and progressive sound, Liar-S, an emo rock band, KYOSO, a group of highly-polished performers, and apple-polisher, which fuses dance with rock and roll. Against the backdrop of Japan's four seasons, comes a realistically depicted documentary movie about the encounters, breakups and trajectory of these 16 band members as they vie for musical preeminence. Just a bore with bishounen band and some boys love motives.   Overall Rating: 4/10   34. Infini-T Force Infini-T Force (インフィニティ フォース)  [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Super Power Action, Sci-Fi Emi is a seventeen-year-old girl living in Shibuya. Her father is always away with work and she's grown listless. Suddenly, a twist of fate involving a certain magical item changes everything. A mysterious pencil, of all things, is linked to the appearance of heroes from another world! Could this be the start to the excitement she's so desperately craving, or is there something more? Full CGI. Compilation of old superheroes can hardly mean an interesting plot. And by fourth episode it has indeed been a waste of time.   Overall Rating: 5/10   35. ClassicaLoid 2nd Season ClassicaLoid 2 クラシカロイド 第2シリーズ [Sunrise] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Anthropomorphic, Music Comedy Second season of ClassicaLoid. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   36. Time Bokan: Gyakushuu no San Akunin Time Bokan: The Villains Strike Back タイムボカン 逆襲の三悪人 [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Historical, Mecha Adventure, Comedy Bimajo, Tsubuyakky, and Suzukky work at the History Paradise Company, which publishes text books in the 24th century, and they're also the evil trio, Akudama, that gets in the way of JKK's investigation of history! After their last battle in history with JKK officers Tokio and Calen, they were on a long yet short time off (unpaid, of course), when they finally received a new assignment from their mysterious boss. The assignment... was to collect the mystical Dynamonds from famous people throughout history. Akudama starts hopping through time, as they're ordered, and try to get the Dynamonds from the various famous historical figures. The evil trio's revenge mission through time was about to start once again!! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   37. Shining Star 샤이닝스타 [Maro Studio] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Idols (Female), Music  At the prestigious Shining Star School, every girl dreams of becoming the best idol, called "Muse". Nara, an ordinary girl, decides to attend the school in order to fulfill her dream. Typical wannabe idol school shoujo with vocaloid.   Overall Rating: 5/10   38. Yi Ren Zhi Xia 2 Hitori no Shita - The Outcast 2 一人之下2 [Haoliners Animation League] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Super Power Action, Supernatural Chou Soran must participate in the Raten Taishou to uncover his grandfather's secrets and the key to Fou Houhou's past. Though Houhou trains Soran, will that be enough to defeat powerful enemies who all seem out to get him while they struggle for power and victory in the tournament? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   39. Escha Chron エスカクロン [Lerche] (Finished 2/2) Tags: CGDCT, Music Sci-Fi, Slice of Life The story follows the two titular girls Escha and Chron, whose contrasting personalities are like the sun and moon. The two girls are from Terminal, a future post-apocalyptic world that's empty and monochrome. The two girls cross worlds and arrive in the present day, which they call Transit. As Escha and Chron experience the light (scenery) and sound (music) of the real world, the future world of Terminal gradually changes into a more vivid world. Too short to matter. OK SOL that ends abruptly and fails to tell any story.   Overall Rating: 6/10   40. Wo Shi Jiang Xiaobai I'm Joybo 我是江小白 [2:10 AM Animation] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Drama, Romance, Slice of Life  Ten years ago, Jiang Xiaobai lost all his memories due to a traumatic event he no longer remembers. Now working as a trainee in Editorial Office No.2 of Wen Zheng Magazine, a literary periodical based in Chongqing, he is excited to begin a new chapter of his life: in two days, he finishes his probationary period and officially starts his job as an editor. He gives no thought to his recurring dream of a girl whose face can never clearly see. That evening, one of Jiang Xiaobai's seniors passes him the task of rushing to the airport to escort the idiosyncratic rising author Tong Li, who has returned from America to launch her first serialized novel in Chinese. As punishment for this senior reneging on his own duties, Jiang Xiaobai replaces him as Tong Li's new editor. Though they get off to a rough start, Tong Li soon recognizes Jiang Xiaobai as someone precious from her high school days. Before they know it, the wheels of fate are set in motion, as Jiang Xiaobai slowly uncovers clues about a long-forgotten girl from his past. Full CGI. Time skip drama with a bit of mystery. Non-CGI or dorama would be much more welcome, but I'd better highlight story in this shape as minor masterpiece rather than advocate for skipping it entirely as just decent.    Overall Rating: 7/10   41. Shen Qi Huan Qi Tan The Legend of Ancient Soul 神契幻奇谭 [Mili Pictures] (Finished 2/24) Tags: School Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery, Supernatural Years ago, the gods fought against each other before being sealed away. However their artifacts remained in the souls of the HuaXia clan as part of a contract and hope that someday in the future, they will awaken once more using those artifacts. Full CGI. Half-length episodes. It begins very amateurish as bad guys chase a girl and protagonist with superpowers saves her. And it's even stylized as if it was a fighting game. Weird and unappealing. Second episode feels like World Conquest Zvezda Plot as there's a whole company of characters with superpowers. Same underwhelming.   Overall Rating: 5/10   42. CMFU Xueyuan: Shenshi Ji Jijian CMFU学院：绅士击击剑  [Foch Films] (Finished 0/24) Tags: Combat Sports, School Romance, Sports The recruitment of new students in various clubs of CMFU Academy is in full swing. Freshman Minnie has joined the CMFU Fencing Club because of her fascination with "Three Musketeers". The swordsman contest is coming soon, and the president Chu Zhuoran intends to conduct an internal trial in the fencing club to select contestants for the swordsman contest. Minnie was excluded because of her zero foundation, but she didn't get discouraged and approached the president Chu Zhuoran to ask for fair participation in the selection. In desperation, Chu Zhuoran decided to give Minnie a week to personally train her. The Fencing Club of the Yunzong Academy in the same city also came here, not only to find out the strength of the newly recruited female swordsmen of CMFU, but Lian Kai, the president of the Fencing Club of the Yunzong Academy, had a holiday with A Qiao, a member of the CMFU Fencing Club. This series shows how the CMFU Academy Fencing Club prepares for the swordsman competition and Minnie's growth as a zero-base fencer, conveys the charm of campus sports, encourages more audiences to learn about fencing and love the sport of fencing. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   43. Qiang Shen Ji 枪神记 [Mokai Technology] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Action, Sci-Fi  With the advent of advanced super-era technology came the Gene Lock, a revolutionary technique that greatly enhances a person's speed, power, and senses. Those who successfully unlock their genetic potential are known as "agents," with the most skilled among them earning the title of "gun gods." Factions fought fiercely to establish academies for training these agents and controlling gene locks through experimentation and the influence of extraterrestrial beings. This led to a global conflict until the mysterious race disappeared, leaving behind agents and their abilities. Today, the only remnants of these past struggles are the two surviving organizations: "Deep Sea" and "Dead Snake." Both agencies have relocated to the seabed and underground and have agreed to a truce. However, conflict still lurks beneath the surface of tranquility. Our story begins when Lin Xiaoshuai, a master martial artist, stumbles upon the Deep Sea Special Academy. He and his comrades will embark on a journey to unlock their genetic locks, master combat, and firearms, and become agents, possibly even gun gods. The anime is divided into four chapters: The Secret Service Academy, The Special Agent World, The Secret History of Blood Race, and Deep Sea Falling. Full CGI. Partially translated. Another straightforward fighting action series with antics in places of comedy.   Overall Rating: 5/10   44. LayereD Stories Zero LayereD Stories 0 レイヤードストーリーズ ゼロ [-] (Finished 1/9) Tags: Video Game Sci-Fi In Shibuya, Tokyo in 2037, LayereD is a platform that uses mixed reality technology to create visualizations of the Internet in the real world. By using special devices, people can have various augmented-reality experiences. Users are able to bring things they imagine into the real world, allowing for a wide variety of self-expression. However, the system does not provide people the freedom it was supposed to, and people actually live in an oppressive society. In the Varna Counter system, harmful creations are eliminated in order to make LayereD "completely clean and healthy." Because users monitor each other to maintain regulations, society becomes rigid and constrained. Not translated. Full CGI. Mobile game advertisement around colorful duels.   Overall Rating: 5/10   45. Godzilla 1: Kaijuu Wakusei Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters GODZILLA -怪獣惑星- [Polygon Pictures] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi  Twenty thousand years after the fall of humanity, Earth succumbed to legions of ravenous creatures who now freely roam the planet. Far away in the depths of space, the last surviving members of humanity float aimlessly in the same ship they escaped Earth with so many years ago. With the spacecraft running dangerously low on resources, the survivors' leading council must decide on their path forward: should they continue to gamble on finding another Earth-like planet to inhabit, or take to heart an anonymous essay theorizing what may be the only weakness of the "Godzilla," who forced the last remnants of humanity off their home world? The author of the controversial essay is Haruo Sakaki, a man who witnessed the death of his parents to Godzilla at a young age, which has led him to harbor an obsessive hatred for the monster. Now, he spearheads the operation aimed at reclaiming humanity's birthright from the king of monsters and slaying him once and for all. But, alongside humanity, Earth has undergone drastic change since their departure; Godzilla and its numerous spawns may pale in comparison to the darkness lurking within the hearts of this close-knit community of survivors. Full CGI. My first thought was that graphics and plot are very much like Sidonia no Kishi, and both works happen to be from the same studio. Just decent mecha VS deadly monsters action with a lot of introductory talk as supposed for start of the trilogy, Can't treat kaijuu seriously as it still looks sort of silly, but I'll try next movie just for the lulz.   Overall Rating: 6/10   46. Zhongkui Chuanqi: Sui Han Sanyou Judge Zhongkui 钟馗传奇之岁寒三友 [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mythology Adventure, Fantasy Legend of Zhongkui as he exorcises ghosts with two friends.  Not translated. It's so drenched in Chinese folklore that it becomes repulsive for me. It's done in Disney manner and probably targets kids primarily.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  7. kivandopulus
    Beginning of the year is slow on the uptake again. Only sequels like Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai Next and Minami-ke interest me here.   1. Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sou desu yo? Problem Children Are Coming from Another World, Aren't They? 問題児たちが異世界から来るそうですよ?  [Diomedéa] (Finished 3/10) Tags: Isekai Action, Comedy, Fantasy  Izayoi Sakamaki, Asuka Kudou, and You Kasukabe are extraordinary teenagers who are blessed with psychic powers but completely fed up with their disproportionately mundane lives—until, unexpectedly, each of them receives a strange envelope containing an invitation to a mysterious place known as Little Garden. Inexplicably dropped into a vast new world, the trio is greeted by Kurousagi, who explains that they have been given a once-in-a-lifetime chance to participate in special high-stakes games using their abilities. In order to take part, however, they must first join a community. Learning that Kurousagi's community "No Names" has lost its official status and bountiful land due to their defeat at the hands of a demon lord, the group sets off to help reclaim their new home's dignity, eager to protect its residents and explore the excitement that Little Garden has to offer. I remember dropping it early. It's basically Kaiji, but against gods and with superpowers. And watching this after No game, no life is underwhelming as everything here is worse.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Ore no Kanojo to Osananajimi ga Shuraba Sugiru Oreshura 俺の彼女と幼なじみが修羅場すぎる [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance The infidelity of Eita Kidou's parents not only made his family fall apart, but also made him skeptic of love. Having no intention to delve into romance, Eita devotes his entire high school life to his studies in order to become a doctor. It did not take long for the beautiful and popular Masuzu Natsukawa to notice Eita's apathy. Tired of being the object of people's affection, she asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend, as she too feels disgusted at the notion of love. Eita, however, refuses—yet Masuzu has one trick left up her sleeve: Eita’s journal and threatening to post the embarrassing content online if he does not comply. Now entangled in a fake romance with the most desired girl at school, Eita's life is turned upside down. Whether envied by his peers or receiving a confession, he must cope with his newfound relationship and all the troubles that come along with it. Fake school romance has become such a widespread anime plot that it's become a bit painful to watch already. So such anime needs to stand out and captivate with something. And OreShura just does not.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai Next Haganai: I don't have many friends NEXT 僕は友達が少ないNEXT [AIC Build] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi  The Neighbor's Club—a club founded for the purpose of making friends, where misfortunate boys and girls with few friends live out their regrettable lives. Although Yozora Mikazuki faced a certain incident at the end of summer, the daily life of the Neighbor's Club goes on as usual. A strange nun, members of the student council and other new faces make an appearance, causing Kodaka Hasegawa's life to grow even busier. While they all enjoy going to the amusement park, playing games, celebrating birthdays, and challenging the "school festival"—a symbol of the school life normal people live—the relations amongst the members slowly begins to change... Let the next stage begin, on this unfortunate coming-of-age love comedy!! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Maoyuu Maou Yuusha Maoyu まおゆう魔王勇者 [Arms] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Mythology Adventure, Fantasy, Romance  Fifteen years have passed since the war between humans and demons began. Dissatisfied with their slow advance into the Demon Realm, the Hero abandons his companions to quickly forge ahead towards the Demon Queen's castle. Upon his arrival at the royal abode, the Hero makes a startling discovery: not only is the Demon Queen a woman of unparalleled beauty, but she also seeks the Hero's help. Confused by this unexpected turn of events, the Hero refuses to ally himself with his enemy, claiming that the war the demons have waged is tearing the Southern Nations apart. However, the Demon Queen rebuts, arguing that the war has not only united humanity but has also brought them wealth and prosperity, providing evidence to support her claims. Furthermore, she explains that if the war were to end, the supplies sent by the Central Nations in aid to the Southern Nations would cease, leaving hundreds of thousands to starve. Fortunately, she offers the Hero a way to end the war while bringing hope not only to the Southern Nations, but also to the rest of the world, though she will need his assistance to make this a reality. Finally convinced, the Hero agrees to join his now former enemy in her quest. Vowing to stay together through sickness and health, they set off for the human world. I remember starting and dropping it for being boring. There's no real story, and SOL with a dull couple is unimpressive.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Love Live! School Idol Project ラブライブ! School idol project [Slice of Life] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Idols (Female), Music, School  Otonokizaka High School is in a crisis! With the number of enrolling students dropping lower and lower every year, the school is set to shut down after its current first years graduate. However, second year Honoka Kousaka refuses to let it go without a fight. Searching for a solution, she comes across popular school idol group A-RISE and sets out to create a school idol group of her own. With the help of her childhood friends Umi Sonoda and Kotori Minami, Honoka forms μ's (pronounced "muse") to boost awareness and popularity of her school. Unfortunately, it's all easier said than done. Student council president Eri Ayase vehemently opposes the establishment of a school idol group and will do anything in her power to prevent its creation. Moreover, Honoka and her friends have trouble attracting any additional members. But the Love Live, a competition to determine the best and most beloved school idol groups in Japan, can help them gain the attention they desperately need. With the contest fast approaching, Honoka must act quickly and diligently to try and bring together a school idol group and win the Love Live in order to save Otonokizaka High School. For me K-On is the borderline masterpiece anime by which I measure similar school SOL anime. And very few reach even level of K-On let alone higher. And Love Live definitely feels worse, so no point continuing without the slightest interest.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Tamako Market たまこまーけっと [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Iyashikei Slice of Life Inside the Usagiyama Shopping District lies an eccentric but close-knit community of business owners. Tamako Kitashirakawa, a clumsy though adorable teenage girl, belongs to a family of mochi bakers who own a quaint shop called Tama-ya. One day, Tamako stumbles upon a talking bird that presents himself as royalty from a distant land. Dera Mochimazzi, as he calls himself, states that he’s seeking a bride for his country’s prince. Intent on his mission, Dera follows Tamako home and develops an addiction to mochi, becoming painfully overweight and subsequently unable to fly back to his homeland; thus, he takes up residence with Tamako's family and becomes the community’s beloved mascot. Meanwhile, Tamako's friend, Mochizou Ooji, continues to hide his true feelings for her. Their fathers are fierce mochi rivals, but will it be enough to drive a wedge between Tamako and Mochizou? And just what will happen to Dera's task of finding his prince’s destined bride? Since it's done by KyoAni, cuteness is on par with K-On at times, but I can't stand talking iyashikei, and humor is not great, so can't enjoy it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Kotoura-san The Troubled Life of Miss Kotoura 琴浦さん  [AIC Classic] (Finished 3/12) Tags: School Comedy, Drama, Romance Since childhood, Haruka Kotoura's classmates have seen her as a creepy and monstrous person. This is due to her ability to read other people's minds—the same ability that drove her parents away, leaving her alone with her grandfather. As a result, she has grown accustomed to the bitter treatment by the people around her, becoming completely cold and unsociable to others. However, everything starts to change when Haruka transfers to a new school. While most are off put by her as usual, she meets Yoshihisa Manabe, who finds her power astonishing. Yoshihisa then proceeds to befriend Haruka, promising to never leave her no matter what happens. Haruka's new experiences of social belonging thus begin, meeting new friends and learning to open herself along the way. Unsociable girl reading thoughts is indeed troublesome. And she can only get along well with simpletons who don't think much or in a complex way. All the possible complexity is washed away by inventing more and more implementations for reading thoughts. Not finding it useful or interesting.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Chihayafuru 2 ちはやふる 2  [Madhouse] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Josei Love Polygon, School, Strategy Game Drama, Sports Chihaya Ayase is obsessed with developing her school's competitive karuta club, nursing daunting ambitions like winning the national team championship at the Omi Jingu and becoming the Queen, the best female karuta player in Japan—and in extension, the world. As their second year of high school rolls around, Chihaya and her fellow teammates must recruit new members, train their minds and bodies alike, and battle the formidable opponents that stand in their way to the championship title. Meanwhile, Chihaya's childhood friend, Arata Wataya, the prodigy who introduced her to karuta, rediscovers his lost love for the old card game. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. GJ-bu GJ Club GJ部 [Doga Kobo] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Comedy, Slice of Life School clubs usually advertise their activities, but the goings-on of the GJ Club are a mystery. Kyouya "Kyoro" Shinomiya recently joined and became the sole male member of the five-person club. Besides Kyoro, there is Mao Amatsuka, the club president who has a tendency to bite Kyoro when she gets mad or bashful; Megumi Amatsuka, Mao's composed younger sister who always makes tea and desserts for the club's members; Shion Sumeragi, a demure chess prodigy; and Kirara Bernstein, a meat lover with a strong feline personality. All four girls have some form of interest in Kyoro. With the girls' idiosyncratic and cute personalities, Kyoro's time in GJ-bu will never be a dull one, for better or for worse. Just fooling around in the club. Did not find it special, and there hundreds of anime with similar content.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Zettai Karen Children: The Unlimited - Hyoubu Kyousuke Unlimited Psychic Squad 絶対可憐チルドレン THE UNLIMITED 兵部京介 [Manglobe] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Super Power Action, Supernatural Kyousuke Hyoubu, an ESPer who was betrayed many years ago, is now one of the most powerful ESPers—and also a fugitive. However, behind that glare lies a kind heart. His main mission is to save ESPers who are mistreated by humans, even if that be by force. Through his methods, he has saved many ESPer lives and gained the loyalty of those he has saved. The name of his group: P.A.N.D.R.A. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Senran Kagura Senran Kagura: Ninja Flash 閃乱カグラ [Artland] (Finished 2/12) Tags: School Action, Comedy, Ecchi At the renowned Hanzo Academy, a select group of students trains in secret to become ninjas of an elite clan known as the Shinobi Masters. Following her grandfather's footsteps, the hopeful Asuka undergoes this intensive training alongside her distinctive group of friends: Ikaruga, Katsuragi, Yagyuu, and Hibari. Relentlessly studying the secret ninja arts, they hone their skills in the hopes of one day becoming full-fledged female ninjas. Senran Kagura follows the girls as they fight valiantly against a mysterious new evil terrorizing Hanzo Academy. Dressed in tight clothing, they must prove their worth and protect the academy from its adversaries before it is too late! It starts with a flash and continues with plain and boring SOL plus ecchi and nonsense.   Overall Rating: 5/10   12. Hakkenden: Touhou Hakken Ibun Hakkenden -Eight Dogs of the East- 八犬伝 -東方八犬異聞- [Studio Deen] (Finished 4/13) Tags: Shoujo Mythology Action, Fantasy, Mystery The village of Ootsuka—home to Shino Inuzuka, Sousuke Inukawa, and Hamaji—was lit on fire under the preconception that a virus had seen all of its life eradicated. Now surrounded by flames and on the verge of death, the three were approached by a strange man holding a sword. He tells them that they must reach a decision if they want to live. That night changed everything for these children. Five years later, the family of three now lives under the watchful eye of the small Imperial Church in a nearby village. All is fine and dandy until the Church attempts to reclaim the demonic sword of Murasame. To accomplish this, they kidnap Hamaji to lure Shino, now a bearer of Murasame's soul, and Sousuke, who possesses the ability to transform into a dog. The brothers must put their differences aside to rescue their beloved sister from the Church in the Imperial Capital, signalling the beginning of a very difficult journey. Younger protagonist has a choice between death and a demonic deal, and he chooses the deal. So now he and his werewolf brother and attacked by both armed monks and real demons. It feels like a normal shounen. Pre-WWII uniforms, bishounen character designs, youkai and monks ninja techniques of sending attacking insects add even more chaos. A mashup of elements stolen somewhere. I don't see any direction or any substance in the plot. Still can't understand why it was needed to show protagonist dress as a girl before his demonic deal, because nothing would change if he was a normal boy initially. Probably just for shoujo appeal or something. I other words, a great deal of irritating things here without any good prospects.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Cuticle Tantei Inaba Cuticle Detective Inaba キューティクル探偵因幡 [Zexcs] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Detective, Gag Humor, Organized Crime Comedy, Fantasy, Mystery In a world where half-human, half-animal chimeras live and work alongside normal people, there are sure to be a few bad apples in the bunch. Unfortunately, half-human criminals means non-human clues that often leave the police stumped. That's where lone wolf detectives like Hiroshi Inaba come in. He's literally part wolf and has the amazing ability to extract critical information just by examining or tasting a sample of someone's hair! Of course, that ability has also resulted in Inaba having a little bit of a hair fetish, but that doesn't seem to be a problem for his two assistants. (Well, at least the cross-dressing one isn't complaining much.) And it's nothing compared to the strange tastes of Inaba's nemesis, the omnivorous (and half goat) crime boss Don Valentino, who has an appetite for green legal tender instead of tender young greens! Inaba's sworn to cut Valentino out of the criminal flock before the Don can wolf down more ill-gotten dough, but he's going to have to chew his way through a lot of evidence to get his goat. Can sheer dogged detective work put the baaaaad guys behind bars? Detective mystery with silly gags. That's all that I needed to know.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Sasami-san@Ganbaranai ささみさん@がんばらない [Shaft] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Comedy, Romance, Supernatural The Japanese call them hikikomori—people who've become so withdrawn socially that they refuse to leave their homes for weeks and even months at a time. For Sasami Tsukuyomi, who's attempting to pass her first year of high school despite being a shut in, it's more than just a word. Fortunately though, she lives with her older brother Kamiomi, who just happens to be a teacher at the school Sasami is supposed to attend. Not to mention, her "Brother Surveillance Tool" which lets her view the outside world via her computer and will, theoretically, allow her to readjust to interfacing with people again. What it mainly does, however, is let her view her brother's interactions with the three very odd Yagami sisters, who inexplicably seem to have had their ages reversed and have various types of "interest" in Kamiomi. And then things start to get really weird... Magical powers? Everything turning into chocolate? Is life via the web warping Sasami's brain, or is it the universe that's going crazy? I remember dropping it for being chaotic and kinda crazy, and subsequent episodes don't explain much.   Overall Rating: 5/10   15. Vividred Operation ビビッドレッド・オペレーション [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Action, Sci-Fi, Ecchi  Situated on Blue Island, the Manifestation Engine has been the answer to the world's energy problem for five years. On the neighboring island of Izu Ooshima reside the cheerful Akane Isshiki, her dependable little sister Momo, and her grandfather Kenjirou, one of the inventors of the Manifestation Engine. As they live peacefully alongside the powerful creation, it all seems like a dream until mysterious entities known as the "Alone" appear seeking to destroy it. With military forces failing to repel the invaders, Kenjirou grants Akane a special key containing the "Vivid System"—empowering her to fight the Alone. Joined by Aoi Futaba, Wakaba Saegusa, and Himawari Shinomiya, Akane and her friends stand together in the battle against the unforeseen enemy as the last hope for humanity. It's very close to Strike Witches, but girls need to be sync emotions and kiss to execute power actions... which is stolen directly from Simoun. And for spicing we have ecchi. Another bland mess as a result.   Overall Rating: 5/10   16. Minami-ke Tadaima みなみけ ただいま [feel.] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Seinen CGDCT, School Comedy, Slice of Life The everyday lives of the Minami sisters continue. Chiaki, the youngest, continues to call people idiots while worshipping her eldest sister. Kana, the middle, still can't figure out that Fujioka's feelings for her are a crush, not a grudge. Haruka, the eldest, still unknowingly avoids Hosaka's advances to invite her to the volleyball team, and after a long day of excitement, the sisters enjoy sitting at the table at their home. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. AKB0048: Next Stage  [Satelight] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Sci-Fi  In the year since the 77th generation understudies joined AKB0048, the Deep Galactic Trade Organization [DGTO] and DES have stepped up their attacks on entertainment. In response, AKB0048 brings back the general elections and the center nova position. The understudies are now thrusted into a new competition directly against the successors. But as AKB0048 brings back policies not seen since Acchan's disappearance, a new more powerful enemy is quietly moving behind the scenes. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   18. D.C.III: Da Capo III D.C.III ～ダ・カーポIII～ [Kazami Gakuen Koushiki Douga-bu] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Harem, School Drama, Romance, Ecchi  On the island of Hatsunejima, where spring is eternal, grows a particular large cherry blossom tree. This cherry blossom tree never withers, and is said to be able to fulfill any wish. However, one day, this tree had become a normal cherry blossom tree... Da Capo sucks. It's cheap, it's banal, it's repetitive, it's super boring. I'm glad that it's one of the least popular anime out there.   Overall Rating: 5/10   19. Dokidoki! Precure Glitter Force Doki Doki ドキドキ! プリキュア [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/49) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Fantasy Middle schooler Mana Aida is known for her vivid passion and kind-hearted disposition, especially by her friends Rikka Hishikawa and Alice Yotsuba. While the girls are on a school field trip, otherworldly villains from the "Trump Kingdom" appear and create giant monsters from the civilians' selfish desires to cause havoc. In the midst of finding a way to stop the destruction, Mana encounters "Cure Sword," a mysterious Precure warrior. As Cure Sword engages in combat with the monsters, Mana meets Cure Sword's fairy allies, who tell her that she also has the ability to transform into a warrior herself. When Trump Kingdom's invaders begin to outnumber Cure Sword, Mana takes to the battleground with resolve. She partners with Sharuru, one of the fairies, and transforms into "Cure Heart"—the Precure of Love. In her attempts to ally with Cure Sword, Mana ends up pulling Rikka and Alice into the fray, whom each partner with a fairy ally to transform into "Cure Diamond" and "Cure Rosetta," respectively. Together, they battle against the Trump Kingdom invaders to protect the love in the world from being destroyed. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Bakumatsu Gijinden Roman 幕末義人伝 浪漫 [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 5/12) Tags: Historical Fantasy The stage is the close of the Edo period, an age when, not unlike our own time, both natural and man-made disasters left chaos in their wake. Manjiro makes a living helping the people of the troubled capital city, but behind the scenes, he also works in secret to take back precious belongings stolen from the people by unjust political powers and conspiratorial menaces. The people call him "Get-backer Roman." As expected, it has not gone far from Lupin and focuses on common things like treasure hunting, noble thieves contest and the like.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Kirakira 5th Anniversary Live Anime: Kick Start Generation キラ☆キラ 5th Anniversary Live Anime KICK START GENERATION [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Music  Based on the visual novel by Overdrive. The what-if story reunites the Second Literature Club Band members Kirari, Chie, Shikanosuke, and Sarina, several months after the concert in the d2b vs Deardrops ~Cross the Future~ fan disk. Not found   Overall Rating: 0/10   22. Star Driver the Movie スタードライバー THE MOVIE [Bones] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mecha, School Action, Romance, Sci-Fi Star Driver takes place on the fictional Southern Cross Isle. One night, a boy named Takuto washes up on shore swimming from the mainland. He later enrolls in Southern Cross High School as a freshman and makes new friends. Just covering loose ends as I skipped the series. Average retelling of average anime.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  8. kivandopulus
    Winter season is traditionally the shortest, and this time could not find anything worthy. If I absolutely had to choose, it would probably be Psycho-Pass Movie even though I see clear borrowings in this movie from Ghost in the Shell movie.   1. Ansatsu Kyoushitsu 暗殺教室  [Lerche] (Finished 4/22) Tags: Shounen School Action, Comedy Tucked in the mountains near the elite Kunugigaoka Middle School lies a small derelict building that houses the delinquents and dropouts of Class 3-E. Looked down upon by their peers, the students in this class appear to have little hope in advancing their academic careers. That is, until the national government tasks them with eliminating the greatest threat to their planet: their new teacher. Having already destroyed the moon, the octopus-like professor—dubbed "Koro-sensei"—has now threatened to destroy the Earth by March of the following year. In light of their mission, the students have found that killing him is easier said than done. Not only can Koro-sensei move at speeds of up to Mach 20, but he can also resist almost every earthly weapon. Ironically, he also proves to be one of the best teachers Class 3-E has ever had. Training the class to excel in both their studies as students and skills as assassins, Koro-sensei is confident that his students' ingenuity and indomitable will could return them to the main campus. Through trial and error, Nagisa Shiota, as well as the other students of Class 3-E, must figure out Koro-sensei's weaknesses—and fast, for the very fate of the world depends upon it. I'm not a fan of silly nonsense, and that's all there is.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Tokyo Ghoul √A 東京喰種√A [Pierrot] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Seinen Gore, Psychological Action, Fantasy, Horror Ken Kaneki has finally come to accept the monstrous, flesh-craving part of himself that he has feared and despised for so long. After escaping captivity and torture, Kaneki joins Aogiri Tree—the very militant ghoul organization that had abducted him, leading his friends to question his true motive and loyalty. As tension between the government and the ghouls continues to rise, the Commission of Counter Ghoul, the government's specialized anti-ghoul agency, has intensified their efforts to completely purge Tokyo of ghouls. This threatens the transient peace of Kaneki's friends and former comrades—the ghouls at the Anteiku coffee shop. Aware of the dangerous situation, Kaneki faces several battles that puts his precious fleeting humanity on the line. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Death Parade デス・パレード [Madhouse] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Adult Cast, High Stakes Game, Psychological Drama, Supernatural, Suspense After death, either Heaven or Hell awaits most humans. But for a select few, death brings them to Quindecim—a bar where only pairs of people who die at the same time can enter. Attending the bar is an enigmatic figure known as Decim, who also acts as the arbiter. He passes judgment on those who wind up at Quindecim by challenging them to a life-threatening game. These games determine if the patron's soul will reincarnate into a new life, or be sent into the void, never to be seen again. From darts and bowling to fighting games, the true nature of each patron slowly comes to light as they wager their souls. Though his methods remain unchanged, the sudden appearance of a black-haired amnesiac causes Decim to reevaluate his own rulings. Another wacky game show with death outcomes. This time very narrow-minded.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Part 3: Stardust Crusaders 2nd Season JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders - Battle in Egypt ジョジョの奇妙な冒険 スターダストクルセイダース エジプト編 [David Production] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Supernatural  Joutarou Kuujou and his allies have finally made it to Egypt, where the immortal Dio awaits. Upon their arrival, the group gains a new comrade: Iggy, a mutt who wields the Stand "The Fool." It's not all good news however, as standing in their path is a new group of Stand users who serve Dio, each with a Stand representative of an ancient Egyptian god. As their final battle approaches, it is a race against time to break Joutarou's mother free from her curse and end Dio's reign of terror over the Joestar family once and for all. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Kuroko no Basket 3rd Season Kuroko's Basketball 3 黒子のバスケ [Production I.G] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen School, Team Sports Sports Seirin prepares to face major obstacles on their path to winning the Winter Cup, including the teams each possessing a member of the Generation of Miracles. Kuroko goes head-to-head with his old teammates once more as he attempts to show them that individual skill is not the only way to play basketball. His firm belief that his form of basketball, team play, is the right way to play the sport will clash with the talents of a perfect copy and an absolute authority. While Kuroko tries to prove that his basketball is "right," he and the rest of Seirin High ultimately have one goal: to win the Winter Cup and overcome the strength of the Generation of Miracles, who have long dominated the scene of middle and high school basketball. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Shinmai Maou no Testament The Testament of Sister New Devil 新妹魔王の契約者〈テスタメント〉 [Production IMS] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem, Mythology Action, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi Running into your new stepsister in the bathroom is not the best way to make a good first impression, which Basara Toujou learns the hard way. When his father suddenly brings home two beautiful girls and introduces them as his new siblings, he has no choice but to accept into his family the Naruse sisters: busty redhead Mio and petite silver-haired Maria. But when these seemingly normal girls reveal themselves as demons—Mio the former Demon Lord's only daughter and Maria her trusted succubus servant—Basara is forced to reveal himself as a former member of a clan of "Heroes," sworn enemies of the demons. However, having begun to care for his new sisters, Basara instead decides to protect them with his powers and forms a master-servant contract with Mio to keep watch over her. With the Heroes observing his every move and the constant threat of hostile demons, Basara has to do the impossible to protect his new family members. Moreover, the protector himself is hiding his own dark secret that still haunts him to this day... Absolutely banal ecchi plot as two powerful beings start to live with protagonist. This time there is hardly any semblance of story so that all the time can be devoted purely to ecchi.   Overall Rating: 5/10   7. Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend 冴えない彼女〈ヒロイン〉の育てかた [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, Otaku Culture, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Tomoya Aki, an otaku, has been obsessed with collecting anime and light novels for years, attaching himself to various series with captivating stories and characters. Now, he wants to have a chance of providing the same experience for others by creating his own game, but unfortunately, Tomoya cannot do this task by himself. He successfully recruits childhood friend Eriri Spencer Sawamura to illustrate and literary elitist Utaha Kasumigaoka to write the script for his visual novel, while he directs. Super-group now in hand, Tomoya only needs an inspiration to base his project on, and luckily meets the beautiful, docile Megumi Katou, who he then models his main character after. Using what knowledge he has, Tomoya creates a new doujin circle with hopes to touch the hearts of those who play their game. What he does not realize, is that to invoke these emotions, the creators have had to experience the same feelings in their own lives. I usually like such romance titles based around otaku topic, but protagonist here is old boring average type and there's no real direction, so, alas.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Absolute Duo アブソリュート・デュオ  [8bit] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Harem, Action, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi Individuals who can materialize weapons from their soul are called "Blazers," and they attend Kouryou Academy High School in order to harness their abilities. Each student is required to partner with another, in the hopes that one day, the pair can attain the power of Absolute Duo. Tooru Kokonoe hopes to attend this academy in order to gain power after his sister and friends were slain by a mysterious man. However, at the opening ceremony, he is forced to duel against the person sitting next to him, with the loser being expelled. As Tooru prepares to give the match his all, it is not a weapon that manifests from his soul, but a shield, an irregularity which catches the attention of a foreign student named Julie Sigtuna. The premise stays just the premise, and harem ecchi rules the show.   Overall Rating: 5/10   9. Durarara!!x2 Shou デュラララ!!×２ 承 [Shuka] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Action, Mystery, Supernatural Although peace has finally returned to Ikebukuro, many of the odd occurrences have become common sights around the city. One such case is the police's constant pursuit of Celty Sturluson, the Headless Rider. Moreover, someone has placed a large bounty on her, igniting the motivation of gang members all over to begin searching for the supernatural creature as well. Meanwhile, Mikado Ryuugamine is approached by Aoba Kuronuma, a mysterious underclassman with unknown intentions, who reveals that he knows Mikado's true identity. But Ikebukuro's state of tranquility is short-lived, as a new threat appears in the form of a murderer who goes by the pseudonym "Hollywood," known for wearing a different mask each time they commit a crime. As the various events taking place prove to be connected yet again, Ikebukuro is thrown into another conflict that threatens to engulf the entire city in chaos. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Kamisama Hajimemashita◎ Kamisama Kiss Season 2 神様はじめました◎ [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shoujo Mythology Comedy, Fantasy, Romance Nanami Momozono and her familiars Tomoe and Mizuki have survived quite a few challenges since Nanami took up the mantle of Mikage Shrine's patron god. Naturally, the wind god Otohiko comes to invite Nanami to the Divine Assembly in Izumo, the home of the gods, and Nanami chooses to take Mizuki with her, leaving Tomoe to pose as her at school. However, she has an ulterior motive for attending the Divine Assembly: to discover the whereabouts of the missing Lord Mikage, the former god of the shrine. After her adventures in Izumo, Nanami meets Botanmaru, a tengu child looking for someone she knows all too well—tengu turned goth idol Shinjirou Kurama. Botanmaru needs Shinjirou, their prince, to return home to Mount Kurama and stop the tyranny of Jirou, who has taken over the rule of their hometown. However, Nanami soon discovers a force much darker than Jirou is at work on the mountain. As a fledgling god becoming more accustomed to divinity, Nanami finds herself dealing with a tengu rebellion, her blooming feelings for Tomoe, and a strange man with ties to both Tomoe's past and Nanami's future. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   11. Aldnoah.Zero Part 2 Aldnoah.Zero アルドノア・ゼロ（第2クール） [A-1 Pictures, TROYCA] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Mecha, Space Action, Sci-Fi The war between the Terrans and the Vers Empire of Mars has ended, allowing humanity to blissfully enjoy their lives in a time of peace. Nineteen months later, however, the Vers princess makes a shocking public declaration: "the Terrans are a foolish race that covets resources, destroys nature, and are devoted to the pursuit of pleasure." And so, to protect their precious Earth, she calls upon her knights to take up arms, and the raging battle between the two civilizations reignites. Slaine Troyard has found a place among the Martians, giving Earth a short respite from the war against the Vers Empire. However, a peaceful resolution seems inconceivable. The various people who fought desperately for survival in the past now find themselves in the midst of yet another bloody and chaotic conflict, one that will forever alter the fate of humankind. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Seiken Tsukai no World Break World Break: Aria of Curse for a Holy Swordsman 聖剣使いの禁呪詠唱〈ワールドブレイク〉 [Diomedéa] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem, Reincarnation, School Action, Fantasy, Romance Seiken Tsukai no World Break takes place at Akane Private Academy where students who possess memories of their previous lives are being trained to use Ancestral Arts so that they can serve as defenders against monsters, called Metaphysicals, who randomly attack. Known as saviors, the students are broken up into two categories: the kurogane who are able to use their prana to summon offensive weapons and the kuroma who are able to use magic. The story begins six months prior to the major climax of the series during the opening ceremonies on the first day of the school year. After the ceremony is over, the main character, Moroha Haimura, meets a girl named Satsuki Ranjou who reveals that she was Moroha's little sister in a past life where Moroha was a heroic prince capable of slaying entire armies with his sword skills. Soon afterwards he meets another girl, Shizuno Urushibara, who eventually reveals that she also knew Moroha in an entirely different past life where he was a dark lord capable of using destructive magic but saved her from a life of slavery. Can those whose minds live in both the present and the past truly reach a bright future? Delve into the complex world of Seiken Tsukai no World Break to find out! Again only crumbs of plot and tons of ecchi.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Kantai Collection: KanColle KanColle: Kantai Collection 艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- [Diomedéa] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Military, School Action, Sci-Fi With the seas under constant threat from the hostile "Abyssal Fleet," a specialized naval base is established to counter them. Rather than standard naval weaponry, however, the base is armed with "Kanmusu"—girls who harbor the spirits of Japanese warships—possessing the ability to don weaponized gear that allows them to harness the powerful souls within themselves. Fubuki, a young Destroyer-type Kanmusu, joins the base as a new recruit; unfortunately for her, despite her inexperience and timid nature, she is assigned to the famous Third Torpedo Squadron and quickly thrust into the heat of battle. When she is rescued from near annihilation, the rookie warship resolves to become as strong as the one who saved her. It tries to be Ars Nova, but feels even worse than Strike Witches.   Overall Rating: 5/10   14. Juuou Mujin no Fafnir Unlimited Fafnir 銃皇無尽のファフニール [Diomedéa] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Harem, School Action, Fantasy, Romance Midgar, all-girl academy, would have been notable just for the action of accepting its first and only male student, Yuu Mononobe. But Midgar stands out for much more than that: it's a school exclusive to a group of girls known as D's. Each of them have extremely powerful abilities in generating dark matter and manipulating it into powerful weaponry. The D's didn't exist twenty-five years ago, and only appeared after a number of mysterious, destructive monsters known as "Dragons" started appearing around the world. Strangely, just as suddenly as they appeared, they vanished. In their destructive wake, some girls started being born with symbols on their bodies and powers similar in nature to those wielded by the Dragons themselves. Now the D's attend this school, hoping to harness and utilize their powers against the Dragons. Yuu is their latest member and is extraordinary for being the only known male D in existence. Now he must forge relationships with the girls around him, including his long separated sister who attends the school as well, and work with them to investigate and eliminate the threat of the powerful Dragons. A typical banal harem wrapped into Norse mythology.   Overall Rating: 5/10   15. Junketsu no Maria Maria the Virgin Witch 純潔のマリア [Production I.G] (Finished 7/12) Tags: Seinen Historical Comedy, Fantasy, Romance Maria is a powerful young witch living with her two familiars in medieval France during the Hundred Years' War against England. As the war rages on and the innocent get caught in its destruction, Maria becomes fed up with the situation and begins using her magic to try and prevent further conflict in hopes of maintaining peace. However, her constant intervention soon attracts the attention of the heavens, and the archangel Michael is sent to keep her from meddling in human affairs. The divine being confronts Maria, and he forbids her from using her powers, issuing a decree that her magic will be taken if she loses her virginity. Though she is now labeled a heretic, Maria adamantly refuses to heed Michael's warning and continues to disrupt the war between the two nations. But as the Church begins plotting to take away the witch's power and put a stop to Maria's interference once and for all, her peacemaking may soon come to an end. Witch wants to stop wars and to lose virginity to gain more power... and most others are ok with the wars going on. And everything whirls around these two pesky conflicts. It's a mess, but most importantly it's void on the inside.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Isuca ISUCA [イスカ]  [Arms] (Finished 3/10) Tags: Seinen Harem, Mythology, School Action, Comedy, Romance, Supernatural, Ecchi Poor Shinichirou Asano has the worst of luck. His parents abandoned him and ran off to Europe. If that isn't bad enough on its own, they barely left him any money to take care of himself. In order to pay rent and keep a roof over his head, he has to work. Unfortunately, he was just fired from his last job and as a high school student, he doesn't have many other prospects. One evening, he's attacked by a centipede monster on his way home. Shinichirou is saved by a mysterious girl with a bow and arrow, who he later discovers is Sakuya Shimazu, a beautiful student who attends his school. But when he later helps an injured girl, he discovers two things. First, the injured girl isn't human at all but rather a nekomata, a two-tailed demon cat. And second, Sakuya comes from a family of exorcists, who've protected humanity from rogue monsters and spirits for generations. Because Shinichirou was responsible for releasing the nekomata, Sakuya enlists his help in recapturing the demon, but that's just the beginning of Shinichirou's relationship with Sakuya. It turns out the Shimazu family needs a housekeeper and it just so happens that Shinichirou excels at cooking and likes to clean! It may not be his dream job, but if it pays the rent and puts food on the table... Shana imitation, but with full harem.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Yuri Kuma Arashi ユリ熊嵐 [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Anthropomorphic, Psychological, School Avant Garde, Drama, Fantasy, Girls Love, Ecchi In the past, humanoid bears coexisted with humans. However, a meteor shower that fell onto Earth had a strange effect on bears throughout the world: they suddenly became violent and hungry for human flesh, spurring an endless cycle of bloodshed in which bear ate man and man shot bear, forgetting the lively relationship they once had. The "Wall of Severance" was thus built, separating the two civilizations and keeping peace. Kureha Tsubaki and Sumika Izumino are two lovers attending Arashigaoka Academy, who, upon the arrival of two bears that have sneaked through the Wall of Severance and infiltrated the academy, find their relationship under a grave threat. The hungering yet affectionate bears, Ginko Yurishiro and Lulu Yurigasaki, seem to see the bear-hating Kureha as more than just another meal, and in getting closer to her, trigger an unraveling of secrets that Kureha may not be able to bear. When their relationships provoke the Invisible Storm, a group that keeps order within the ideological school, the girls must stand on trial with their love, embarking on a journey of self-discovery en route to attaining true love's "promised kiss." It's literally episodic nonsense. It challenges my sanity and gives nothing in return.   Overall Rating: 5/10   18. Rolling☆Girls The Rolling Girls ローリング☆ガールズ [Wit Studio] (Finished 5/12) Tags: CGDCT, Super Power Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi In a dystopian future where Japan's political organization has crumbled after the Great Tokyo War, Japan is broken up into 10 independent nations, with each nation controlled by a gang led by a "Best," a human-proclaimed prophet with destructive superpowers. Nozomi Moritomo is a "Rest"—a normal girl that has just started out as a rookie in the local gang. She wants to help the Best Masami Utoku, her childhood friend and role model, in the ongoing territorial dispute. When Masami becomes severely injured and unable to fight, Nozomi decides to go on a mission to complete the requests sent to Masami from all over Japan. Along the way, she meets Yukina Kosaka, a shy girl with no sense of direction; Ai Hibiki, an upbeat girl who loves eating; and Chiaya Misono, a quiet and mysterious girl that wears a gas mask. Together, the four girls travel all over the country on their motorcycles while getting involved in territorial wars, disagreements, and even suspicious conspiracies. CGDCT says it all, but this time also road movie instead of school or home.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu LOVE! Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE! 美男高校地球防衛部LOVE! [Diomedéa] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Parody, School Comedy Why should girls get to have all the fun? These magical boys are here to save the world from the loveless... at least that's what the pink wombat who gives them their magical powers wants them to do. In Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu Love!, the main characters are the members of the "Earth Defense Club" at the Binan High School, though all they really want to do is hang out, goof off, and relax at the nearby Kurotama Bath. One fateful day, though, a pink wombat appears out of nowhere and forces these five high school students to become "Battle Lovers" and protect Earth from a trio of villains who are taking orders from a green hedgehog. Over the course of the series, the Battle Lovers will take on a variety of fiends, including the chikuwabu monster, a chopstick phantom, a monster remote control, and plenty more strange enemies! Will the heirs to the throne of love be able to protect Earth from those who want to destroy love? Or will the Earth Conquest Club fill the world with hate? As expected, cringe squared.   Overall Rating: 5/10   20. Koufuku Graffiti Gourmet Girl Graffiti 幸腹グラフィティ [Shaft] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Seinen CGDCT Comedy, Gourmet, Slice of Life The path to becoming a fine wife begins with being an accomplished cook—at least, that is what Ryou Machiko's late grandmother had led her to believe. For a middle schooler, Ryou's cooking skills are incomparable; but recently, though Ryou's food looks appetizing and smells inviting, the taste has not been delicious. Just when the dejected art student comes to terms with the possibility that she might continue living alone for the rest of her life, her aunt tells her that Kirin Morino—Ryou's second cousin—will begin staying with her every weekend since the younger girl has joined a cram school in Tokyo and aims to attend the same school as Ryou. Surprisingly, with her cousin's arrival, Ryou finds that her cooking has vastly improved—apparently, it is not her prowess in the kitchen, but the sharing of the experience with those closest to her that seems to make the flavors shine. Gourmet SOL is the worst kind of SOL.   Overall Rating: 5/10   21. The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls アイドルマスター シンデレラガールズ [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Comedy, Drama Uzuki Shimamura is an aspiring student who dreams of being an idol. After failing her first audition, a producer from 346 Productions tells Uzuki that she has been chosen for the "Cinderella Project," a new idol group. The project, however, still lacks two other members, so the producer needs to scout suitable candidates. The producer's eyes fall upon Rin Shibuya, who is in the midst of an incident with an upset crowd. As the imposing producer defends her, the two of them are taken in for interrogation by the police, and released after some explanation. Taking this opportunity, he scouts Rin for the Cinderella Project, only to be rejected. Will the producer be able to find two more members for his idol group? Remake.   Overall Rating: 5/10   22. Dog Days'' ドッグデイズ'' [Seven Arcs Pictures] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Isekai Action, Adventure, Fantasy  Cinque Izumi, Nanami Takatsuki, and Rebecca Anderson must once again embark on a journey to the continent of Flonyard and participate in the friendly war games of the three allied nations: Biscotti Republic, Galette, and Pastilage. Cinque is Biscotti’s hero, who also happens to be the cousin of Galette’s hero Nanami. Rebecca is Pastillage’s hero and a dear friend of Cinque. Dog Days'' begins in the human world. Rebecca prepares her things for her journey back to Pastilage from Japan. Meanwhile, Cinque and Nanami set out to travel to Biscotti and Galette, respectively, all the way from England, when suddenly, a freakish streak of bad luck—in the form of lightning, of course—sends them off course. They soon find themselves in the great Dragon Forest, protected by a Dragon Priestess named Sharu. The Dragon Priestess informs them that demons threaten to invade the forest, as well as the whole continent of Flonyard! It looks like a real war is about to begin in Dog Days''. Can these three heroes save the whole continent from these evil beings? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   23. Yoru no Yatterman Yatterman Night 夜ノヤッターマン [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama  Several generations after the original Yatterman series, Leopard lives with her mother and guardians, Dorothy, Voltkatze, and Elephantus, just outside the prosperous Yatter Kingdom. She lives a happy if impoverished life, unaware of her ancestral ties to the infamous Doronbow Gang, until she discovers a mural of Doronjo, Boyacky, and Tonzura in a sealed off area of her home. It turns out that Dorothy, Voltkatze, and Elephantus are descendants of the villainous gangsters, which is why they have been forbidden from entering the hero Yatterman's Kingdom! At first, Leopard vows to never engage in villainous actions like her ancestors, but new circumstances may mean that she must go back on her word, donning the identity of villain in search of true justice. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   24. Sengoku Musou Samurai Warriors 戦国無双 [Tezuka Productions, TYO Animations] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Historical, Samurai Action Toyotomi Hideyoshi is on the verge of unifying the realm, and all that remains is the Odawara Castle protected by the "Lion of Sagami" Ujiyasu Houjou. Hideyoshi's personally trained generals—Ishida Mitsunari, Katou Kiyomasa, and Fukushima Masanori—as well as Ootani Yoshitsugu, Shima Sakon, and Naoe Kanetsugu are all on the frontline of the battle. Amidst the battle formation are the two young warriors of the Sanada household: older brother Nobuyuki and younger brother Yukimura. As the stalemate begins to break down, Sanada Yukimura rides on a lone horse into the fray. His brother follows him right after. It started well, but went into flashy mythologems and ended with Sengoku being just competition for the title of strongest warrior, pretty stupid.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor - Exodus 蒼穹のファフナー Dead Aggressor EXODUS [Xebec, I.Gzwei] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Mecha, Military Action, Drama, Sci-Fi 2150 AD. The battle against the silicon-based Festums from outer space reaches a new phase. Fragments of the North Pole Mir were scattered throughout the world. Eventually, they began to act on their own as independent Mirs. Most hated humanity and attacked them, but some chose to coexist with mankind. Some with the same way of thinking existed within the human race, as well: those who were both human and Festum. They added to the chaos of the battle and brought about even more hatred. Same messy mecha as movie and with much more fillers, obviously, but story is morally old for me, plus, no decent characters spotted.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Go! Princess Precure Go! Princess Pretty Cure Go! プリンセスプリキュア [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/50) Tags: Mahou Shoujo, School Action, Comedy, Fantasy Ever since she was young, Haruka Haruno has always aspired to become a princess. Despite being mocked for this seemingly childish wish, Haruka perseveres to make her dream a reality, ultimately culminating in her acceptance into the prestigious Noble Academy—the birthplace of people's fantasies. When Haruka arrives at her new school, a chance encounter with a pair of magical creatures influences a series of unbelievable events, and Haruka awakens as "Cure Flora," the princess of blooming flowers. After two of Haruka's classmates also transform into legendary princesses, a story of self-discovery unfolds as the newfound team "Princess Precure" carries the responsibility of protecting everyone's dreams. Engaged in a battle between hope and despair, Haruka may find the key toward becoming the princess she has always dreamed to be. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   27. Tantei Kageki Milky Holmes TD 探偵歌劇ミルキィホームズTD [J.C.Staff, Nomad] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Super Power Comedy, Mystery There have been many cases of stolen songs happening among the idols in Yokohama District recently. Even super idol Marine Amagi's hit song "Kiseki no Uta" was taken away. At the request of Marine, the Milky Holmes team starts investigating the case. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Shounen Hollywood: Holly Stage for 50 少年ハリウッド-HOLLY STAGE FOR 50- [Zexcs] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Idols (Male), Music, Performing Arts Second Season of Shounen Hollywood: Holly Stage for 49. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   29. Na Sa Er Ding 那萨尔丁 [-] (Finished 1/100) Tags: Mythology Adventure, Fantasy In the depths of a vast western desert exists a terrible sand devil. He is bent on turning the forests, rivers, grasslands, and oases of the Western Regions into barren deserts under his rule. In order to save the inhabitants and prevent desertification, a group of young adventurers sets out to the Kunlun Mountains to find the legendary Hu Poplar King and curb the spread of sand. Not translated Chinese anime for kids.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Yong Zhe Da Maoxian 勇者大冒险 [CG Year] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy  Scattered throughout the world is proof of an advanced prehistoric civilization. There exist those who desperately want to learn more about these ancient people. The series follows people who set out on an adventure to uncover the truth. Not translated Chinese fully CGH half-length series. Basically, road movie with several protagonists who encounter different demons and deal with them, usually in a humorous way. All for the sake of antics, no real direction here.   Overall Rating: 5/10   31. Kidou Senshi Gundam: The Origin Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin 機動戦士ガンダムTHE ORIGIN [Sunrise] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Shounen Mecha, Military, Space Action, Sci-Fi In the year 0068 of the Universal Century, Casval Rem Deikun's life is thrown into chaotic disarray after the assassination of his father, a prolific figure in the crusade towards civil rights for people who live away from the Earth's surface. Casval and his sister Artesia receive aid from soldiers who were loyal to their father, and the siblings are whisked away from their home, separated, and thrown into a twisted fate that sees them come into their own as soldiers and adults. Years before stealing the name Char Aznable or his "Red Comet" moniker, Casval must contend with the rise of a militarized version of his father's ideology and his own vengeful nature as intergalactic war molds him into a legendary mobile suit pilot. Prequel was an excellent opportunity to craft a complex story full of intrigues. But there was not enough complexity for me, especially in personalities. Everything is either white or black with very rare grades. It's still the best Gundam I've seen and it should be a treat for fans.   Overall Rating: 6/10   32. Psycho-Pass Movie Psycho-Pass: The Movie 劇場版 サイコパス [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective, Military Action, Sci-Fi Due to the incredible success of the Sibyl System, Japan has begun exporting the technology to other countries with the hope that it will one day be used all around the world. In order to test its effectiveness in a foreign location, the war-torn state of the South East Asian Union (SEAUn) decides to implement the system, hoping to bring peace and stability to the town of Shambala Float and keep the population in check. However, a group of anti-Sibyl terrorists arrive in Japan, and the Ministry of Welfare's Public Safety Bureau discovers significant evidence that the invaders are being aided by Shinya Kougami, a former Enforcer who went rogue. Because of their past relationship, Akane Tsunemori is sent to SEAUn to bring him back, but with their last meeting years in the past, their reunion might not go quite as planned. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   33. Hana to Alice: Satsujin Jiken The Case of Hana & Alice 花とアリス 殺人事件 [Steve N' Steven, Rockwell Eyes] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Award Winning, Drama, Mystery  After transferring to Ishinomori Middle School, Tetsuko "Alice" Arisugawa overhears her classmates discussing a strange rumor. The previous occupant of her seat, a nondescript "Judas," is missing and presumed murdered—poisoned by one of his four wives. Amidst dealing with her mother's undesired meddling in her affairs and warding off her classmates' bullying, the troubled Alice starts to investigate the mystery surrounding Judas' disappearance. The trail of clues leads her to the house of her next-door neighbor, the quirky and reclusive Hana Arai. After an awkward introduction, Hana agrees to help Alice and formulates a plan that may lead them to the answers they seek. The two girls embark on a journey to uncover what happened to Judas, and perhaps a friendship may start to blossom between the two along the way. Motion capture seems to be used, so animations are nice, but content is rather boring and leading nowhere, so should be only considered for something ephemeral as emotions.   Overall Rating: 6/10   34. Aki no Kanade アキの奏で [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Music, School Slice of Life Aki Miyagawa moved to Tokyo to pursue her dream to be a taiko drummer, but had a hard time balancing her strict training regimen with her part-time job. Now, after 15 years, she's returning to coach others for a taiko festival. There was already anime about Kyoto dancers for a festival, now about traditional drummers for a festival... too boring and too short.   Overall Rating: 6/10   35. Appleseed Alpha  [Sola Digital Arts] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Detective, Mecha, Military Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Set in a different series of events, this story does not follow the previous Appleseed movie canon (despite being directed by the same director of the previous movies); it is an alternate story to their beginnings. Briareos is already a cyborg and did not become separated from Deunan to be later reunited in Olympus to join ESWAT. Appleseed Alpha depicts the early days of Deunan Knute and Briareos in the 22nd century, as they embark on a journey throughout dystopic ruins of New York in search of the city of Olympus. They are hired by Two Horns, the warlord of the ruined city, to eliminate bipedal combat machines. During the fight, they encounter Iris and Olson, both on a mission. Deunan and Briareos befriend them and decide to join their mission. Iris is tasked with preventing the malevolent cyborg Talos from capturing a secret weapon humans were building. Talos uses Iris to activate the gigantic war machine. Great CGI, action and worldbuilding, but there's not much for the seinen story. So, very nice, but not super enjoyable, and definitely not mandatory.   Overall Rating: 6/10   36. Saenggakboda Markeun Clearer Than You Think 생각보다 맑은 [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama, Slice of Life Our lives in the real world stand at the crossroads of countless decisions. The characters of this film—Maro and Crow, the department chief Ms. Kim, Sweet Potato and Titi, Ye-mi and Gang-bo—live in an imaginary animated world, but they face the real life concerns that confront all of us. This story takes a funny yet bittersweet look at the vast gulf between the reality and ideals of our lives at different moments—before we make a choice, during the process of choosing, and after a choice has been made. Not translated. Drawing is very simplistic. Feels like some kind of psychedelics.   Overall Rating: 5/10   37. Yi Wan Nian Yi Hou 10000 Years Later 天籁之一萬年以后 [Yili Animation Studio] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Fantasy Hundreds of thousands of years after the collapse of civilization, the world is a post-tech wasteland, and is inhabited by humanoid tribes. The Peace held between them is threatened by the return of Wushen, an evil shape-shifting ghost of modern technology. Wushen threatens to enslave the world population. Zhuma, a ten-year-old girl is the heroine of the story, accompanied by Zhanggong, her lion-like Tibetan Mastiff dog. Chosen, and helped by a ethereal goddess she must assemble a band of allies from the surviving tribes to fight Wushen, and stop him from gaining control over an ancient power. Full CGI. Very eclectic world as if the aim was to make everything different from normal no matter the reason. Grotesque, disgusting, shallow.   Overall Rating: 5/10   38. Shi Wan Ge Leng Xiaohua Movie 1 One Hundred Thousand Bad Jokes 十万个冷笑话; 十万个冷笑话 大电影 [L²Studio] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Parody Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy The film adaptation of the One Hundred Thousand Bad Jokes web manhua. Nonsense parody with CGI usage. Some jokes are not exactly bad, but nonsensical, so so it's was chore to sit it through for me.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  9. kivandopulus
    Can nominate only Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor 2 the Movie and Crayon Shin-chan Movie 01: Action Kamen vs. Haigure Maou as minor masterpieces.   1. Tenchi Muyou! Ryououki: Omatsuri Zenjitsu no Yoru! 天地無用！魎皇鬼 SPECIAL お祭り前日の夜！  [AIC] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Harem Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi  After his recent battle in space, Tenchi Masaki believes that his fighting days are over. Unfortunately, his life is far from peaceful since Aeka Jurai Masaki and Ryouko Hakubi—the two women giving him the most grief—cannot seem to get along, continuing to fight over who gets to be Tenchi's lover. Since their usual romantic strategies fail, Aeka and Ryouko decide to research how to woo a man. After spending hours going through shoujo manga, the two decide to act like the girls they've read about and put Tenchi through various scenarios, with the hope that he will fall in love with one of them. Compared to original setting is finalized already, so there is room for more humor and harem stuff as there is hardly any story in special. Better, yet not great.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Casshern: Robot Hunter Casshan: Robot Hunter キャシャーン [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 4/4) Tags: Mecha Adventure, Sci-Fi In the near future, robot technology has advanced to the point of self-awareness. Under the leadership of the "Black King," machines have decimated the human population and conquered the world. Those who survived the early holocaust have been enslaved for life. But throughout the hardships, a lone hero appears as the savior of mankind. He is Casshan - a fusion of man and machine driven to combat Black King and his forces to the end. This anime does not even have any credible source, just a horrible superpower flick from the 1970s. Everything remains pretty schematic, and with the rotten core no building around it can bring anything good.   Overall Rating: 5/10   3. Mermaid's Scar 人魚の傷 [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery Legend has it that when you eat the flesh of a mermaid, you would live forever. Yuta and Mana are living proof of this... Together, they journey to various places trying to find meaning for their existence, or perhaps even a "cure" for their situation. One day, Yuta and Mana meet Masato, a little boy who seems terrified of his mother Misa. It seems to Yuta and Mana that mother and son have a very unusual relationship. What happens when Yuta and Mana decide to discover the dark secret Masato and Misa are hiding? And what about those monster-like creatures that have been appearing? Mermaid forest prequel was plain horrible, this one is also pretty disgusting, only for those who like trashy depressing horrors.   Overall Rating: 5/10   4. Eightman After 8 Man After エイトマン AFTER [J.C.Staff] (Finished 4/4) Tags: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi Private detective Hazama Itsuru is hired by Professor Tani to investigate a cyborg parts theft which eventually leads him to meet Sachiko Yokogawa, the original 8 Man's love interest. Living her new life working for the Biotecho Corp., Sachiko finds herself involved with a new 8 Man, who appears after Hazama is fatally wounded by an unknow cyborg. Amidst a violent urban background with cyber-junkies creating chaos around the city, this other 8 Man will fight criminals in a more agressive way. Eightman was chronologically the first anime that I rated as ONE. This superhero continuation with schematic plot is disgrace to the whole cyberpunk genre. Also has some disturbingly bloody scenes.   Overall Rating: 4/10   5. A-Girl A-Girl [エー・ガール] [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shoujo Music, School Romance High-school student Mariko and her elder sister Mayu are forced out of their apartment by a fire and move in with their landlord. Mariko meets the landlord's handsome son, Natsume, who is also a model. They fall in love but break up when Mariko discovers that Natsume is seeing other girls. Eventually, they are reunited, and the end credits roll. A-Girl has no dialog and is performed against a background of Japanese pop songs composed by Okada Tooru and sung in English! by SEIKA. Intertiles provide continuity, like in old silent films. It's a musical with all the dialogues shown at still black screen like in old movies. There's also pretty weird torn directorship with a lot of disjointed scenes not getting into integral picture...   Overall Rating: 5/10   6. Youseiki Suikoden Suikoden Demon Century 妖世紀水滸伝 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Martial Arts Action, Fantasy In the early 21st century, an earthquake destroyed Tokyo. Japan lost its center of government and industry, and turned into a lawless territory. Looking for his sister, Takateru Suga learns that she was kidnapped by the powerful Koryukai gang. He decides to ally himself with a drag queen, two ex-mercenaries and a nun to destroy the crime organization and save his sister! Well, yeah, a bunch of different guys attack organization and rescue sister, sometimes it looks good, but the main question is why exactly should someone spend 45 minutes on cheap action.   Overall Rating: 5/10   7. Big Wars: Kami Utsu Akaki Kouya ni Big Wars ビッグ・ウォーズ 神撃つ朱き荒野に [Magic Bus] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Military, Space Action, Sci-Fi It is the dawn of the 21st century. Mankind has terraformed and colonized Mars. But we are not alone in the universe. An ancient race of alien beings, known only as "The Gods," has been watching mankind's progress ...and waiting. Now, these mysterious aliens have returned to halt mankind's expansion into space ...by force. Now, the planet named after the God of War will become our final battlefield, as mankind fights a desperate battle with the latest in high-tech, military hardware: hyper-advanced aircraft, orbital fighters, and gigantic, desert battleships brimming with the most advanced weaponry. But will it be enough? The aliens have awesome, incredibly destructive weapons at their disposal—including "Hell"—an unstoppable stealth carrier. But the alien's primary weapon is insidiously quiet and invisible—a mind control plaque. Incurable. Inevitable. Contagious. Humans are powerless to resist its effects, which transforms even the most loyal soldiers into dangerous subversives. Our last hope lies with Captain Akuh and the crew of the Battleship Aoba. If his top-secret mission is successful, mankind will deal a decisive blow to the alien armada. But Akuh's girlfriend is showing signs of nymphomania—the first symptom of alien subversion! It's mostly about hallucinations, gore and explosions. Often surreal development and unsatisfying ending contribute to the weak impact.   Overall Rating: 5/10   8. Bad Boys  [Toei Video] (Finished 3/5) Tags: Seinen Delinquents Action, Comedy Tsukasa, Yoji, and Eiji are friends and members of the motorcycle gang called the Paradise Butterflies. Riding the streets of Hiroshima, their goal in life is to top all other gangs in their city. Only three of five episodes are translated. This is one of three delinquents anime that were issued at a pace of 1-2 episodes over many years, and these are usually of higher quality than usual - better pace and comedy with more variation. It's generally on the same level as Shounan Bakusouzoku. I'd consider giving it a masterpiece if it was fully translated.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Idol Bouei-tai Hummingbird Hummingbirds アイドル防衛隊ハミングバード [Ashi Productions] (Finished 4/4) Tags: Idols (Female), Military, Music, Parody Comedy When the Japanese government puts civilian organizations in charge of the country's air force, some of these companies decide to put their aspiring idol singers behind the controls of their fighter planes. Among these groups of idol singers is Hummingbird, a five-woman team consisting of the Toreishi sisters: Satsuki, Uzuki, Yayoi, Kanna and Mina. During a taping session, video director Kudou sees some potential in these girls and jumps in to help them reach the top of the charts by directing their debut video. It's musical with idols in the first place and military as a side dish. Not bad , especially after a huge number of failed modern idol anime, but not a masterpiece .   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Hon Ran Crimson Wolf 紅狼[ホンラン] [Streamline Pictures] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Martial Arts Action The fate of the world rests in the ability of three untested warriors to defeat an unearthly army of darkness. Sorcery, martial arts and an unrequited love, spanning the centuries, explode in an epic battle at the gates of the forbidden city. Crimson Wolf is an unusual departure for the Anime genre - rooted in real world reference, it makes the fantasy all the more believable. A cringy story with past mystical references and strangely placed nudity.   Overall Rating: 5/10   11. Ryuuseiki Gakusaver Shooting Star Gakusaver 流星機ガクセイバー [Production I.G] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Mecha, Parody, School, Space Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi A gigantic meteorite landed on earth a few years back. A mysterious capsule believed to have belonged to the aliens was discovered. Called the "black box," an international organization called "Project BB" was created to research it. Eight boys, including Manabu Yoshimura, attend International Academy, a school located near Project BB headquarters. They are enticed by their teacher Toukichi Hashiba's promise of "I'll give you class credit," and end up getting involved in his experiment. The experiment was to enter the eight empty chambers of meteorite. According to Hashiba's theory, the meteorite should strongly respond to strong human thoughts. He tells them to have a clear image of a great looking gigantic robot; if they do, something should happen... Then, a big spaceship appears in the sky and an alien calling himself Wercury appears in a 3-D image. He tells them he is from the Star of Prokimasi and that he has come to collect the meteorite of the Choshin people. If they do not hand it over, he will challenge the earth beings to a battle. Manabu and his friends are confused by the unexpected turn of events but the meteorite responds to the thoughts of the group and suddenly starts to transform itself into a gigantic robot. Then, attacked by the invading Prokimasi robot, they are forced to pull their strength together and fight back. But it is extremely difficult to put the wills of the eight together as one and the robot cannot fight in the way it should. The gigantic robot that Hashiba named "Gakusaver" and Manabu's eight; can they manage to protect Earth and the meteorite from the Prokimasi invasion? It's so silly that sometimes it's funny. But most of the time it's not. Still, among mecha it's decent.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Akuemon 悪右衛門 [Tezuka Productions] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Fantasy, Romance  A fortuneteller tells Hidari Taisho that he must hunt down 1000 foxes in order to conquer the country. So Akuemon, who is disliked by everybody, is hired to do the foxhunting. In response, the foxes send a female fox to Akuemon's house disguised as his wife. A story unfolds between Akuemon, who has never loved anyone, and the female fox, who slowly discovers true love in him even while tormented by sorrow over her comrades' death. This is the 6th work in "The Lion Books" series. It is also the first attempt by visualist Tezuka Makoto, Tezuka's older son, to render an original of his father's into an animated version. Well, Tezuka pulls out some old father's work, but it's not something special, don't know why to spend 25 minutes on it at all. There's just nothing gained after it, resolution is just bad.   Overall Rating: 5/10   13. Kiss wa Hitomi ni Shite キッスは瞳にして [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shoujo Drama, Romance High school student Morisato Ibuki has a startling dream about kissing a prince on a white horse. The next day, the prince from her dream, Ebisu Naoto, shows up as a transfer student at her school and a guest at her house. He had indeed kissed her, in an attempt to wake her up in the morning, although he claims that she kissed him. Ibuki is smitten with Naoto, but he seems to have other commitments, to American football and to a mysterious girl called Kawahara Izumi. Meanwhile, Nitta, a shy boy in Ibuki's class, has a crush on her. Will true love eventually find a way? Being cut as at is with dream about a prince on a white horse it's full of usual shoujo stamps and due to 30 minutes length there's no time to transform that impression already. But it has time to insert some song in the middle. In this state it's nothing worthy to talk about.   Overall Rating: 5/10   14. Oedo wa Nemurenai! お江戸はねむれない! [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shoujo Historical Drama, Fantasy We are now in the early 18th century, the Kyouhou era, when the merchant culture was flourishing. In Yoshiwara, the red light district of Edo, there is a popular courtesan with good looks and character, called Usugumo. She in fact is a daughter of a Christianized prostitute and Tokugawa Yoshimune (who was a real historical character and the 8th Shogun of Japan), but the power struggle in these times doesn't allow her to be with her father. Her fate is about to change when she meets the blond haired thief, Kikunosuke. With Kikunosuke, a doctor named Aoto Touichirou, who uses the yet unfamiliar Western medicine, and her pet cat, Kotetsu, Usugumo forms a thief group, the Kikugumi. In the meanwhile, a member of a mysterious group appears, aiming for Usugumo... Again, just 30 minutes, and very little explanation. As a result, it's a series of seemingly random clashes with new and new characters jumping out all the time, also a good doze of cringe with battle dolls.   Overall Rating: 5/10   15. Mellow 女郎 [めろう] [KSS] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Crossdressing, Delinquents, School Comedy A story about a crossdressing teacher handling a delinquent class. Based on the same-name seinen manga by Rin Kasahara. Not translated. Protagonist cross-dresses to hide from yakuza and uses skills gained in the underworld to deal with delinquent class. It barely has anything of notice except eternal trap flashes and stupidest imaginable "humor".   Overall Rating: 4/10   16. Naniwa Kinyuu Den: Minami no Teiou 難波金融伝 ミナミの帝王 [KSS] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Comedy, Drama The story centers around Ginjirou Manda, a loan shark who charges toichi — 10% more interest every 10 days, or 365% every year. Thanks to his unrelenting money-collecting tactics, he is feared as Minami no Oni or the Demon of Osaka's Minami business district. Not translated. Original was live action, and this is kinda its continuation. I don't see the point why would someone want to see one yakuza-like person claiming debts from other yakuza-like persons.   Overall Rating: 4/10   17. Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor 2 the Movie 機動警察パトレイバー2 the Movie [Bandai Visual] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Detective, Mecha, Military Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi Three years after the Babylon Project conspiracy is resolved, the members of Kiichi Gotou's Patlabor unit have gone their separate ways. Gotou remains with the Patlabor team, accompanied by Shinobu Nagumo, his romantic crush and comrade. Playing into the public's skepticism toward the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, a terrorist organization begins to work from within the military to cause destruction and mass civil unrest throughout Japan. Nagumo learns that the mastermind behind the growing terrorist plot is none other than Yukihito Tsuge, her former mentor and lover. Gotou reassembles his former Patlabor team, spearheaded by pilot Noa Izumi. Leading the team into a mission to arrest Tsuge, Nagumo must come to terms with her complicated past relationships in order to save Japan. It has very little to do with Patlabor franchise since mecha show up for a very little time and all the goofy attitude vanished without trace. It's a serious conspiracy story that in the end allowed its spiritual successor GITS with its tachikomas to truly shine. A lot of interesting visual instruments are used to make constant talks and observation of landscapes less boring. It was still relatively boring for me, even most vague GITS movies never could afford such slow pace.   Overall Rating: 7/10   18. Yuu☆Yuu☆Hakusho (Movie) Yu Yu Hakusho: The Movie 幽☆遊☆白書 [Pierrot] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Martial Arts, Mythology Action, Adventure, Comedy, Supernatural Yusuke Urameshi is not exactly what you'd call an angel. In fact, some might call him down right devilish. But when he dies in an accident trying to save a child, he finds himself in the Spirit World. Unfortunately for Yusuke, his name is not listed in the Book of Enma, which means it was one big mistake! So he should return from the Spirit World, but must pass a few tests first, and become a detective of the spiritual world. So now Yusuke works in the Spirit World as a half-dead, half-alive agent for Koenma, son of the ruler of the Spirit World. This position does have its disadvantages, especially when you're trying to enjoy your summer vacation and Koenma gets kidnapped! So now Yusuke must interrupt his summer fun to find Koenma and trade the Golden Seal of King Enma for his life. But if someone other then King Enma has the Golden Seal there will be chaos in the Spirit World! What's a half-dead spirit detective to do? With the aide of his closest allies, Yusuke sets off for Magma Valley, to save the life of the one who saved his, and find out who's at the bottom of this evil conspiracy. It's called movie with 24 minute length... suuure. All it has is action that is probably important in the course of the series , but was hardly of significance for me. There's even no humor, nothing to add scores for .   Overall Rating: 5/10   19. Crayon Shin-chan Movie 01: Action Kamen vs. Haigure Maou 映画 クレヨンしんちゃん　アクション仮面ＶＳハイグレ魔王 [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Action, Adventure, Comedy By finding a rare Action Kamen card, Shinnosuke Nohara and his family end up being chosen to go to a parallel world and help foil an alien invasion that is occurring over there. It's inevitable that density of jokes suffers if one story takes 90 minutes instead of 7 minutes. I was actually happy to learn more about Action Kamen and kindergarten director. There was quite a number of solid jokes in the course. Being enjoyable is all that matters in the end.   Overall Rating: 7/10   20. Ohoshi-sama no Rail Rail of the Star: A True Story of Children お星さまのレール [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical Drama This is the autobiographic tale of Kobayashi Chitose, a young Japanese girl growing up in a Japanese-occupied North Korea. As World War II progresses, Chitose begins to realize that her family will not be able to escape the effects of the conflict. From the simple disappointment of not being able to get the type of backpack she wants for school, to her father's recruitment as a soldier, the war begins to impact her life in a very real manner. But the end of the war does not mean the end of hardship for her. The Koreans, fed up with years of Japanese rule and persecution, have joined forces with a Chinese-backed communist government and are systematically making life a living horror for the Japanese left in North Korea. Fearing reprisal since he was a Japanese veteran, Chitose's father risks everything to get his family out of the north and to the US-occupied area south of the 38th parallel. A surprisingly decent autobiography during WWII. But real lives are rarely interesting, to be honest. I can't sympathize with such things as not getting the rucksack she liked or getting a needle wound or having her toy crushed by Koreans forcing to evacuate... Bigger events are shown through the prism of small events like that. And of course there's no real climax, no real resolution, so nothing outstanding.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Chuumon no Ooi Ryouriten (1993) 注文の多い料理店  [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Fantasy, Horror, Supernatural Two gentlemen from the city go out hunting. After getting lost on a mountain road they found a cheap restaurant. But everything is not as it seems. A 20 minute fairy-tale about tanuki and hunters, nothing to see here.   Overall Rating: 5/10   22. Rokudenashi Blues 1993 ろくでなしBLUES 1993 [Toei Animation] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Shounen Combat Sports, Delinquents, School Action, Comedy, Drama, Sports Sequel to the Rokudenashi Blues movie. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   23. Tsuru ni Notte: Tomoko no Bouken On A Paper Crane: Tomoko's Adventure つるにのって とも子の冒険 [Mushi Production] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama A young girl named Tomoko visits the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. There she has a mysterious meeting with Sadako, the little girl who was 2 years old when the U.S. dropped the bomb on her city during WWII and 11 when she died from the effects of radiation poisoning. Sadako takes Tomoko on an eye-opening journey. It's 27 minutes long and does not have sub version as of now, only dub one, which is a lot worse, as usual. It's literally an anime about playing with the girl statue that sort of comes to life and seeing those days through statue girl's eyes. And radiated girl is happy, because her country does not have to wage wars ever again... sure... it's too cheesy, really.   Overall Rating: 5/10   24. Fatal Fury 2: The New Battle バトルファイターズ餓狼伝説 [Studio Comet] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Martial Arts Action, Adventure, Drama After defeating Geese Howard, legendary fighter Terry Bogard faces German warrior Wolfgang Krauser, only to suffer a humiliating defeat. Depressed by his loss, Terry wanders around the country, wasting his life through drinking. Only a young boy named Tony can convince Terry to go back to his winning ways, conquer his fears, and once again face Krauser. Original was horrible. This one has at least logical development and some character introduction. In the end it's still poorly staged fighting anime with possible appeal only for series fans.   Overall Rating: 5/10   25. Hiroshima ni Ichiban Densha ga Hashitta ヒロシマに一番電車が走った [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical Drama The story follows a girl who works on a streetcar both before and after the bomb drops on Hiroshima. Not translated. The adult protagonist already makes it decent, lol. It's mostly 30 minutes of talks, though, so not outstanding yet again.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Mikan Enikki Specials みかん絵日記 [Nippon Animation] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Shoujo Pets Comedy, Slice of Life An extra episode and a special of the Mikan Enikki series included as a bonus on VHS/DVD's. First special is about English and a bit about romance, so has very little humor. Second special is less than 15 minutes and about just a... parrot, another miss, so overall specials are decent at best.   Overall Rating: 6/10
  10. kivandopulus
    Usagi Drop is the definite favorite here. But I also find Yuru Yuri enjoyable enough.   1. Usagi Drop  Bunny Drop うさぎドロップ [Production I.G] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Josei Childcare, Iyashikei Slice of Life Daikichi Kawachi is a 30-year-old bachelor working a respectable job but otherwise wandering aimlessly through life. When his grandfather suddenly passes away, he returns to the family home to pay his respects. Upon arriving at the house, he meets a mysterious young girl named Rin who, to Daikichi’s astonishment, is his grandfather's illegitimate daughter! The shy and unapproachable girl is deemed an embarrassment to the family, and finds herself ostracized by her father's relatives, all of them refusing to take care of her in the wake of his death. Daikichi, angered by their coldness toward Rin, announces that he will take her in—despite the fact that he is a young, single man with no prior childcare experience. Usagi Drop is the story of Daikichi's journey through fatherhood as he raises Rin with his gentle and affectionate nature, as well as an exploration of the warmth and interdependence that are at the heart of a happy, close-knit family. It's a very touching childcare drama and occasionally comedy.   Overall Rating: 8/10   2. Mayo Chiki! まよチキ! [feel.] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Crossdressing, Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Due to his mother and sister, who both love professional wrestling, Kinjirou Sakamachi developed a resilient body that could take hard punches, aggressive kicks, and even deadly vehicle bumps, in order to survive their various grappling positions and locks. However, he also developed gynophobia, an abnormal fear of women. With just one touch from a girl, his nose bleeds uncontrollably, he sweats excessively, and in rare cases, faints abruptly. His life changes for the worse because of a fated meeting in the restroom. While trying to escape from a girl, he discovers that the most popular student in their school, Subaru Konoe—the butler of the headmaster’s daughter, Kanade Suzutsuki—is actually female! Surprised, Subaru violently assaults Kinjirou, dealing significant damage and knocking him unconscious. When he comes to, he meets Kanade. In exchange for his silence, she promises to help cure his phobia. Slapstick romcom that is watchable, but not outstanding.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. No.6 NO.6［ナンバー・シックス］ [Bones] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Action, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi Many years ago, after the end of a bloody world war, mankind took shelter in six city-states that were peaceful and perfect... at least on the surface. However, Shion—an elite resident of the city-state No. 6—gained a new perspective on the world he lives in, thanks to a chance encounter with a mysterious boy, Nezumi. Nezumi turned out to be just one of many who lived in the desolate wasteland beyond the walls of the supposed utopia. But despite knowing that the other boy was a fugitive, Shion decided to take him in for the night and protect him, which resulted in drastic consequences: because of his actions, Shion and his mother lost their status as elites and were relocated elsewhere, and the darker side of the city began to make itself known. Now, a long time after their life-altering first meeting, Shion and Nezumi are finally brought together once again—the former elite and the boy on the run are about to embark on an adventure that will, in time, reveal the shattering secrets of No. 6. BL where hysterical guys constantly get in some danger. Super confusing and inconsistent.   Overall Rating: 5/10   4. Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu Ni! Baka & Test – Summon the Beasts 2 バカとテストと召喚獣 にっ！ [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Love Polygon, School, Super Power Comedy, Romance The blockheads of Class F return with more misadventures! Rather than desperately competing against the elite students in Class A for better facilities, they have other problems at hand. While the girls are constantly vying for the boys' attention, Akihisa Yoshii and Yuuji Sakamoto are being blackmailed by a stalker who threatens to reveal their most embarrassing secrets to the whole school. Moreover, everyone's avatar starts to behave strangely. Filled with more nosebleeds and eye-pokes, the boys of Class F must work together to discover the stalker's identity and deal with the misfortunes that come with love among fools. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Blood-C ブラッドシー [Production I.G] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Gore, School, Vampire Action, Horror, Mystery, Supernatural Peaceful schoolgirl by day, fearsome monster slayer by night, Saya Kisaragi is leading a split life. Equipped with a ceremonial sword given to her by her father for sacred tasks, she vanquishes every monster who dares threaten her quiet little village. But all too soon, Saya's reality and everything she believes to be true is tested, when she overhears the monsters speak of a broken covenant—something she knows nothing about. And then, unexpectedly, a strange dog appears; it asks her to whom she promised to protect the village, curious as to what would happen if she were to break that promise. Tormented by unexplainable visions and her world unraveling around her, we travel with Saya through her struggle to find a way to the truth in a village where nothing is as it seems. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Yuru Yuri YuruYuri: Happy Go Lily [Doga Kobo] (Finished 12/12) Tags: CGDCT, Gag Humor, School Award Winning, Comedy, Girls Love After a year in grade school without her childhood friends, first year student Akari Akaza is finally reunited with second years Yui Funami and Kyouko Toshinou at their all-girls' middle school. During the duo's first year, Yui and Kyouko formed the "Amusement Club" which occupies the now nonexistent Tea Club's room. Shortly after Akari joins, one of her fellow classmates, Chinatsu Yoshikawa, pays the trio a visit under the impression that they are the Tea Club; it is only once the three girls explain that the Tea Club has been disbanded that they can convince Chinatsu to join the Amusement Club—a group with no purpose other than to provide entertainment for its members. Based on the slice-of-life manga by Namori, Yuru Yuri is an eccentric comedy about a group of girls who spend their spare time drinking tea and fawning over each other, all while completely failing to even notice the supposed main character Akari amongst them. I slightly enjoy it as it's light and funny most of the time.   Overall Rating: 7/10   7. Mawaru Penguindrum Penguindrum 輪るピングドラム [Brain's Base] (Finished 4/24) Tags: Psychological Avant Garde, Comedy, Drama, Mystery For the Takakura family, destiny is an ever-spinning wheel, pointing passionately in their direction with equal tides of joy and sorrow before ticking on to the next wishmaker. With their parents gone, twin brothers Kanba and Shouma live alone with their beloved little sister Himari, whose poor health cannot decline any further. On the day Himari is given permission to temporarily leave the hospital, her brothers take her out to the aquarium to celebrate, where the family's supposed fate is brought forth with her sudden collapse. However, when Himari is inexplicably revived by a penguin hat from the aquarium's souvenir shop, the hand of fate continues to tick faithfully forward. With her miraculous recovery, though, comes a cost: there is a new entity within her body, whose condition for keeping her fate at bay sends the boys on a wild goose chase for the mysterious "Penguin Drum." In their search, the boys will have to follow the threads of fate leading from their own shocking past and into the lives of other wishmakers vying for the Penguin Drum, all hoping to land upon their chosen destiny. Some invisible penguins doing tricks, some girl cosplaying a powerful mage and some guys running after penguins getting constantly lost... and everything else is same crazy and nonsensical. Calling such anime psychological is an offence.   Overall Rating: 5/10   8. Natsume Yuujinchou San Natsume's Book of Friends Season 3 夏目友人帳 参 [Brain's Base] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shoujo Iyashikei, Mythology Drama, Slice of Life, Supernatural Natsume Yuujinchou San follows Takashi Natsume, a boy who is able to see youkai. Natsume and his bodyguard Madara, nicknamed Nyanko-sensei, continue on their quest to release youkai from their contracts in the "Book of Friends." Natsume comes to terms with his ability to see youkai and stops thinking of it as a curse. As he spends more time with his human and youkai friends, he realizes how much he values them both and decides he doesn't have to choose between the spirit and human worlds to be happy. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Kamisama no Memochou Heaven's Memo Pad 神様のメモ帳 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Mystery Narumi Fujishima may seem like a normal high school student at first glance, but in reality he is a pessimistic outsider. Due to his father's work, he had to constantly transfer schools, and thus he has never managed to become a part of society. When he is forced to join the gardening club by his cheerful classmate Ayaka Shinozaki, Narumi encounters the genius hacker Alice, who lives in isolation above Hanamaru, the ramen shop where Ayaka works part-time. He then discovers that Alice is running a special private detective agency, and that all her professional associates refer to themselves as "NEET"s: Not in Education, Employment, or Training. Joining the NEET detective agency due to his personal connection with a criminal case, Narumi finds himself entangled in a world of dangerous investigations conducted by the ill-assorted group of detectives, all the while trying to track down the crime syndicate which seems to have mysterious ties to Alice. Characters are not bad, but it's all about detective mysteries that I can't stand.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Nurarihyon no Mago: Sennen Makyou Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan - Demon Capital ぬらりひょんの孫 千年魔京 [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shounen Mythology Action, Supernatural Long before Rikuo Nura was born, the legendary youkai Nurarihyon, leader of a "Night Parade of One Hundred Demons," fell in love with a human woman. Though the two would initially find happiness, a threat from the terrifying fox-demon Hagoromo Gitsune would get in the way of their relationship. In the present, Rikuo has taken his rightful place as the heir to the Nura Clan. While he has accepted his youkai side, he must continue to maintain the secret of youkai, a difficult task when faced with the Keikain onmyouji clan and his youkai-obsessed friend, Kiyotsugu. Even so, Rikuo will do what he must to protect those important to him. The reappearance of the sinister Hagoromo Gitsune marks the start of Rikuo's most fearsome trial yet. The frightening creature bears a personal vendetta against his family and will stop at nothing to see her dream come to fruition. The world stands at a precipice, an all-out war that will drag Rikuo centerstage. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. The iDOLM@STER アイドルマスター [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Comedy, Drama 765 Production Studio manages the unique talents of 13 professional idols as they slowly make their way to the top and become country-wide celebrities. But the girls' journey is far from just fun and games: hard work, sweat, and tears are some of the prerequisites needed to flourish in this industry—and for 765 Pro in particular, a watchful eye out for their rival, the infamous 961 Production. As the girls' fame grows, however, their time together as a family diminishes, and now the very popularity they sought is threatening to tear them apart. A difficult balance of work and bonding must be achieved, or they risk everyone going their separate ways. The personal and professional ordeals of these idols can not be conquered alone, but with each other's loving support, any obstacle or hardship can be overcome! Seeing this adopted from a game, there's no chance for anything even remotely deep. Most banal and typical idol SOL without anything to enjoy.   Overall Rating: 5/10   12. Dantalian no Shoka The Mystic Archives of Dantalian ダンタリアンの書架 [Gainax] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Detective, Historical Action, Mystery, Supernatural Six months ago, Lord Hugh Anthony Disward, also known as Huey, lost his eccentric grandfather, Sir Wesley Disward, who was a renowned collector of rare books. His grandfather's will states that, in order to inherit his manor and everything inside it, he must take guardianship over the Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian—an archive that contains forbidden knowledge—and also take care of a mysterious girl called Dalian. As Huey settles into the manor, an old rival of his grandfather's arranges a meeting with him. Dalian, knowing the rival to be Wesley's killer, tags along and discovers that the murderer is in possession of a Phantom Book—a cursed tome that Wesley tried to seal away. When the book puts the two in danger, Huey discovers that the Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian and Dalian are one and the same, and she entrusts Huey with the key to unlocking the knowledge stored within her. Together, Dalian and Huey seal the book away, and thus begins an unlikely partnership as they solve mysteries caused by other Phantom Books. Light novel source and Gainax studio were not enough for such concept. I remember dropping this detective mystery back then even though it was better than Gosick.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Itsuka Tenma no Kuro Usagi  A Dark Rabbit has Seven Lives いつか天魔の黒ウサギ [Zexcs] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Vampire Comedy, Romance, Supernatural, Ecchi  Taito has been really sleepy lately, and keeps dreaming of a female vampire who says she has given him her "poison." Sometimes he even thinks he hears her voice when he's awake. But after surviving an accident that should have killed him, Taito's world changes drastically and he realizes that his dreams are more real than he thought. We've seen binding of contract and we've even seen protagonist constantly dying and resurrecting couple times. Apart of fighting action there's only ecchi comedy, so nothing interesting of notice.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. R-15  [AIC] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Harem, School  R-15 is about a boy, Taketo Akutagawa, who attends a school for geniuses: Inspiration Academy Private High School. Taketo is a genius novelist and writes erotica. Despite negative perceptions many people have of him, he aims to be at the top of his class and be recognized as the world's greatest writer. The cast is unusual, as everyone is a genius in some field, but story is quite boring. Since ecchi harems tend to be terrible, this one is at least watchable.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Ro-Kyu-Bu! Ro-Kyu-Bu ~ Fast Break! ロウきゅーぶ! [Barnum Studio, Project No.9, Studio Blanc.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Comedy, Sports, Ecchi  Subaru Hasegawa has the ambition to become one of the best basketball superstars of all time. However, this comes to an apparent halt when his school's basketball team ceases activities for a year. Shocked by the news, he decides not to involve himself in basketball anymore. One day, his aunt Mihoshi Takamura invites him to coach the Keishin Academy girls’ basketball team on how to play the sport, and he reluctantly agrees. He meets sixth-graders Tomoka Minato, Maho Misawa, Airi Kashii, Hinata Hakamada and Saki Nagatsuki, and begins training them in the sport with one goal: to defeat all strong opponents along the way. Ro-Kyu-Bu! follows the effort of five elementary girls and their coach as they improve their cute style of playing basketball. Since it's a cute spokon, I will cutely drop it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Sacred Seven セイクリッドセブン [Sunrise] (Finished 2/12) Tags: School, Super Power Action, Sci-Fi  Alma Tandoji lives a lonely life. One day, Ruri Alba, a girl accompanied by her butler and maids, visits him. Knowing the power of Sacred Seven is latent within Alma, she asks him to lend her his powers. However, he refuses and drives her away since he injured many with his unusual strength in the past. Meanwhile, a fiendish Dark Stone creature suddenly appears in this peaceful town in the Kanto region. Only Alma's power of Sacred Seven can fight against it. But Alma just lets his power run amuck and things begin to get worse. Ruri raised her gemstone in order to release his true abilities, My Soul I give to you. With Ruri's wishes engraved in it, will Alma be able to defeat the Dark Stone? Overpowered protagonist fights and gathers seven stones... yay. It's better than it sounds due to cast and interaction, but overall feels boring.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Manyuu Hikenchou Magic Breast Secret Sword Scroll 魔乳秘剣帖 [Hoods Entertainment] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Historical, Samurai Action, Comedy, Ecchi The Edo period of Japan gave rise to a clan of warriors with a very specialized, magical skill. The clan was known as the Manyuu, and the skill was the ability to administer a sword strike that could shrink the size of a woman's breasts. This might not seem like an ability that could exert power over a land, but in Manyuu Hikenchou, large breasts denote status, wealth, fame, and influence. Grave concern has arisen in the Manyuu clan due to the actions of their chosen successor, Chifusa. Disgusted with the breast obsessed society that the Manyuu have created and perpetuated, Chifusa has not only deserted the clan, but also stolen the sacred scroll that details their techniques to growing and severing breasts. Fortunately, Chifusa is not completely alone. Her fellow warrior Kaede is sympathetic to her cause; a sympathy that could place her in considerable danger. Now wanted by the very clan that raised her, Chifusa must defend her life and Kaede's while seeking to undo the damage their brethren have done to the land. Along the way, Chifusa will discover that she harbors a power that goes far beyond the scope of her training, one that could help shape and change the land that she seeks to bring equality to. Booby fetish action, so very ridiculous, and probably need a special mood to watch.   Overall Rating: 5/10   18. Kamisama Dolls 神様ドォルズ [Brain's Base] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Seinen Action, Supernatural Kyouhei, after moving away to Tokyo from his old town to get away from the events that happened, is on a goukon with his friends, including his old neighbor, Shiba. After drinking for a whole night, he and Shiba discover a dead, bloody body in the elevator. He is told by his younger sister, Utao with her Kamisama Doll, that Aki, an old friend, and his Doll are the culprits responsible. It's a mix of many genres, actually. There's not much of the story, so SOL harem fillers take most of the time and it gets boring really fast.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Ikoku Meiro no Croisée The Animation Croisée in a Foreign Labyrinth The Animation 異国迷路のクロワーゼ The Animation [Satelight] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen Historical, Iyashikei Slice of Life In 19th century Paris, Claude Claudel and his grandfather Oscar run a metalworking shop tucked away in the Galerie du Roy shopping arcade. Back home from his recent travels, Oscar appears with a young Japanese girl—Yune—by his side. Although he is initially against it, Claude comes to accept Oscar's announcement that Yune will live and work with them going forward. Bewildered by Yune's foreign customs, Claude must balance looking after her and managing the shop. But over time, as she settles into her new role as a live-in maid, Claude slowly shows interest in learning to understand Yune and the vastly different world she comes from. Historical SOL always looked tedious to me. There's not enough drama here, and just architecture and clumsy culture blend can't really motivate.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Blade ブレイド [Madhouse] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Vampire Action, Drama, Horror The story revolves around Blade, a "Daywalker" vampire hunter who was born with vampire and human blood after a vampire attacked his mother. While visiting Japan on a mission, Blade tracks down Deacon Frost, the vampire who killed his mother. Blade confronts "Existence," a mysterious organization composed of vampires modified by Frost. Movie was very straightforward, but at least short. This one is not short...   Overall Rating: 5/10   21. Nekogami Yaoyorozu The Everyday Tales of a Cat God 猫神やおよろず [AIC PLUS+] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen CGDCT Comedy, Slice of Life, Supernatural  Koyama Yuzu is running an antique shop. Mayu, a cat god (nekogami), is living off Yuzu and leads an idle life playing games. Lots of other gods visit Mayu and enjoy merrymaking. Silly, random and occasionally fun SOL about animal gods slacking. Should be ok for relaxing, but nothing conceptual or serious awaits here.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Kaitou Tenshi Twin Angel: Kyunkyun☆Tokimeki Paradise!! Twin Angel: Twinkle Paradise 快盗天使ツインエンジェル 〜キュンキュン☆ときめきパラダイス!!〜 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Haruka Minazuki and Aoi Kannazuki are two students at St. Cherine academy. Haruka is always filled with bubbly energy while Aoi is more mature and a top student in all her classes - but despite their differences the two are the best of friends. The two girls look like any other girls, attending the academy, but the truth is they are hiding a little secret, that they can't let anybody know about... During the day they really are just students at St. Cherine academy, but they can also become the Twin Angel duo, and fight against the evils of the town! The lovely Angels are back, and it's time for them to get ready for some action! Adapted from the game and after horrible OVA there there were zero chanced for anything decent.   Overall Rating: 5/10   23. Hotarubi no Mori e Into the Forest of Fireflies' Light 蛍火の杜へ [Brain's Base] (Finished 1/1) Tags: School Comedy, Romance Hasegawa Kodaka has transferred schools, and he's having a hard time making friends. It doesn't help that his blond hair tends to make people think he's a delinquent. One day, he runs into his bad-tempered solitary classmate Yozora while she's talking animatedly to her imaginary friend Tomo. Realizing that neither of them have any actual friends, they decide that the best way to alter this situation is to form a club and start recruiting. That is how "Rinjinbu", The Neighbours' Club, was formed, a club specifically designed for people who don't have very many friends. As other lonely classmates slowly join their little club, they'll try to learn how to build friendships through cooking together, playing games, and other group activities. But will this group of relationship-challenged misfits really be able to get along? Shoujo friendship with an enchanted spirit story is too simple to make a stand.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Coquelicot-zaka kara From Up on Poppy Hill コクリコ坂から [Studio Ghibli] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shoujo Historical, School Award Winning, Romance Atop a hill overlooking a seaside port sits a boarding house named Coquelicot Manor. Since the building is run by her family, Umi Matsuzaki carries out many of the duties involved in managing the small establishment, such as preparing meals for her fellow boarders. When she isn't at home, she is a student at the local high school—one that is currently dealing with a small crisis. In anticipation of the upcoming Olympic Games, a beloved old clubhouse is set to be demolished to make way for a modern building. As a result, a large part of the student body has banded together, working tirelessly to prevent this from happening. Umi finds herself helping the newspaper club to spread information about this cause where she befriends Shun Kazama, whom she gradually begins to fall in love with. But Shun is an orphan who doesn't know much about his origins, and when the two begin searching for clues to the boy's past, they discover that they may have a lot more in common than either of them could have thought. Dominating feeling is cringe. Reused male and female protagonists, obligatory exposition and SOL, one-sided characters, constant attempt to appear more busy than they are, and of course absolutely conservative primitive view on gender roles (which is understandable since manga belongs to 70s). I only feel anger for wasted time and sorrow for wasted efforts of so many creators.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Mardock Scramble: The Second Combustion マルドゥック・スクランブル 燃焼 [GoHands] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Psychological Action, Sci-Fi Rune Balot is weeping and trying to save both herself and a severely injured Oeufcoque from Shell's assassin Boiled. Luckily for her, Doctor Easter finally shows up in the Humpty Dumpty – a special militarized vehicle made for protecting those in Welfare cases if their lives are threatened. From there they go to Paradise, where the Scramble 09 technology (and Boiled's rebirth) was developed. All of the secrets of the past of Mardock City (and possibly its future) are revealed in this riveting second part of the Mardock Scramble series, upping the stakes and making Balot choose between justice for herself or peace within Paradise instead. It's hardly even a movie, just two separate small parts - defending from an assault and then trying to cheat casino. And thus it feels disintegrated and like a filler. And casino part is not even over, so more of this boredom awaits...   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Midori-ko 緑子 [Mistral Japan] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Avant Garde, Drama  One of the must-see gems making its premiere at our festival, Midori-Ko is adored Japanese animator Kurosaka Keita's whimsically nightmarish vision of 21st-century Tokyo on the brink of apocalypse. Ten years in the making and entirely, single-handedly rendered in colored pencil, Kurosaka's fantastical labor of love is a marvel to behold. Emerging from the staggering detail and craft flooding every frame is the story of a young woman who sets out to engineer a dream-food that can put an end to the world's famine. Synthesizing Frederic Back's subtle, haptic textures with Bill Plympton's frenetic mutations and David Lynch's haunting wormholes, Kurosaka’s work still retains its own singular, luminous potency. I tend to dislike Avant Garde and absurd. And here a lot of items get human faces and start moving, so protagonist girl is constantly scared and running away... very stupid, as for me, Plus most humans encountered are crazy as all they do is laugh and do tricks. Super disgusting overall and without any ending, so not even conceptual.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Waza no Tabibito 技の旅人 [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy  Humans acquired a perfect source of energy called "Patia", which brought self-sufficiency in food and fuel to all the people in the world. Trade and transportation began to diminish and finally the advance of the civilization terminated. Now the genetically modified plants cover almost all of the lands on earth and obstruct travelers. Cient, the leader of a fortress city, sets out on a trip to excavate the lost technology "Patia" with his daughter Ruri. When Ruri gets separated from her father, a giant humanoid weapon of the old age attacks her. Ruri is saved by a girl named Tekuni who is traveling around the world training as a "Wazabito" fighter. CG is always a minus. Simple mahou shoujo fighter story in CG with weird CG pantsu shots is even worse. Oh, and protagonist is breast physics here as it's featured in every scene.    Overall Rating: 5/10   28. Hong Gil Dong 2084 홍길동 2084 [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Adventure  In 2084, a brave young boy named Hong Gil-dong (Dong Ho of boy band U-KISS) accidentally helps save a beautiful woman warrior. He hears that other residents of Yul-do have been harassed by a crew led by his older brother Il-dong, who had abandoned Gil-dong when they were young. He decides to step up and face the evil clan. Not translated. CGI. Weird designs. Asian style martial arts. And not even remotely interesting story.   Overall Rating: 5/10   29. Min de 1911 民的1911 [-] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Drama Historical, Military - Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   30. Hellsing: The Dawn  [Graphinica] (Finished 3/3) Tags: Seinen Gore, Vampire Action, Horror, Supernatural During the height of World War II, Nazi Germany seeks to strengthen their soldiers with technology crafted under the influence of vampiric biology. Out of fear of this technology turning the tide of war in the Axis's favor, Sir Arthur Hellsing enlists his butler and soldier Walter C. Dornez and vampire Alucard to put a stop to the German plot, sending the two men into a conflict that will scar them both forever. It's under 30 minutes, mostly black and white , with WWII involvement and not interesting in any way.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  11. kivandopulus
    I decided to lower score of sequel Shingeki no Kyojin Season 2 if there was a new firm masterpiece - and I found one for me - Eromanga-sensei . There's also a scattering of minor masterpieces in my opinion - Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka Gaiden: Sword Oratoria , Berserk 2nd Season , Fukumenkei Noise , Quanzhi Gaoshou .   1. Shingeki no Kyojin Season 2 Attack on Titan Season 2  進撃の巨人 Season2 [Wit Studio] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen Gore, Military, Survival Action, Drama, Suspense For centuries, humanity has been hunted by giant, mysterious predators known as the Titans. Three mighty walls—Wall Maria, Rose, and Sheena—provided peace and protection for humanity for over a hundred years. That peace, however, was shattered when the Colossal Titan and Armored Titan appeared and destroyed the outermost wall, Wall Maria. Forced to retreat behind Wall Rose, humanity waited with bated breath for the Titans to reappear and destroy their safe haven once more. In Shingeki no Kyojin Season 2, Eren Yeager and others of the 104th Training Corps have just begun to become full members of the Survey Corps. As they ready themselves to face the Titans once again, their preparations are interrupted by the invasion of Wall Rose—but all is not as it seems as more mysteries are unraveled. As the Survey Corps races to save the wall, they uncover more about the invading Titans and the dark secrets of their own members. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 8/10   2. Boku no Hero Academia 2nd Season My Hero Academia Season 2 僕のヒーローアカデミア [Bones] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen School, Super Power Action At UA Academy, not even a violent attack can disrupt their most prestigious event: the school sports festival. Renowned across Japan, this festival is an opportunity for aspiring heroes to showcase their abilities, both to the public and potential recruiters. However, the path to glory is never easy, especially for Izuku Midoriya—whose quirk possesses great raw power but is also cripplingly inefficient. Pitted against his talented classmates, such as the fire and ice wielding Shouto Todoroki, Izuku must utilize his sharp wits and master his surroundings to achieve victory and prove to the world his worth. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   3. Boruto: Naruto Next Generations  [Pierrot] (Finished 1/293) Tags: Shounen Martial Arts Action, Adventure, Fantasy Following the successful end of the Fourth Shinobi World War, Konohagakure has been enjoying a period of peace, prosperity, and extraordinary technological advancement. This is all due to the efforts of the Allied Shinobi Forces and the village's Seventh Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki. Now resembling a modern metropolis, Konohagakure has changed, particularly the life of a shinobi. Under the watchful eye of Naruto and his old comrades, a new generation of shinobi has stepped up to learn the ways of the ninja. Boruto Uzumaki is often the center of attention as the son of the Seventh Hokage. Despite having inherited Naruto's boisterous and stubborn demeanor, Boruto is considered a prodigy and is able to unleash his potential with the help of supportive friends and family. Unfortunately, this has only worsened his arrogance and his desire to surpass Naruto which, along with his father's busy lifestyle, has strained their relationship. However, a sinister force brewing within the village may threaten Boruto's carefree life. New friends and familiar faces join Boruto as a new story begins. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Rokudenashi Majutsu Koushi to Akashic Records Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor ロクでなし魔術講師と禁忌教典 [LIDENFILMS] (Finished 4/12) Tags: School Action, Fantasy The Alzano Empire is home to one of the most distinguished magic schools in the world: the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy. Here, ambitious young students undergo training to become competent magicians. Sistine Fibel—a stern noble girl—and her bright-eyed best friend Rumia Tingel attend the Academy, determined to cultivate their magical skills. However, their world is thrown for a loop when their favorite teacher suddenly retires and the enigmatic Glenn Radars replaces him. His lazy and indifferent attitude toward life and magic quickly puts him at odds with his class. What's more, nefarious forces hidden within the empire's walls start to become active, and Sistine, Rumia, and Glenn find themselves caught up in their schemes. Rokudenashi Majutsu Koushi to Akashic Records follows Sistine, who is captivated by a mysterious floating Sky Castle; Rumia, who is haunted by a troubled past; and Glenn, who may be more than meets the eye. Though completely different on the surface, they are inexplicably bound together by a thread of fate. It was usually genius student, now it's genius teacher, but can't say it makes anime more interesting in any way without good story or characters.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Eromanga-sensei Eromanga Sensei エロマンガ先生 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Otaku Culture Comedy, Romance, Ecchi One year ago, Sagiri Izumi became step-siblings with Masamune Izumi. But the sudden death of their parents tears their new family apart, resulting in Sagiri becoming a shut-in which cut her off from her brother and society. While caring for what's left of his family, Masamune earns a living as a published light novel author with one small problem: he's never actually met his acclaimed illustrator, Eromanga-sensei, infamous for drawing the most lewd erotica. Through an embarrassing chain of events, he learns that his very own little sister was his partner the whole time! As new characters and challenges appear, Masamune and Sagiri must now face the light novel industry together. Eromanga-Sensei follows the development of their relationship and their struggle to become successful; and as Sagiri slowly grows out of her shell, just how long will she be able to hide her true persona from the rest of the world? Liked it before and enjoying now since I'm a sucker for Oreimo, and this is very close. The question is about the score. It's not super original or anything, but all the heroines are nice here, and there's no wasted time on anything unpleasant, so I'm ready to give it the maximum possible score for SOL comedies like this.   Overall Rating: 8/10   6. Tsuki ga Kirei 月がきれい [feel.] (Finished 12/12) Tags: School Romance  With a new school year comes a new crowd of classmates, and for their final year of junior high, aspiring writer Kotarou Azumi and track team member Akane Mizuno end up in the same class. Though initially complete strangers, a few chance encounters stir an innocent desire within their hearts. A yearning gaze, a fluttering heart—the hallmarks of young love slip into their lives as fate brings their paths to a cross. However, though love is patient and love is kind, Kotarou and Akane discover it is not always straightforward. Despite the comfort they find in each other's company, heartache and anxiety come hand in hand with pursuing the feelings in their hearts. With the uncertainty of how the other truly feels as well as the competing affections of those around them, the road ahead is unclear. Even so, under the shining light of a beautiful full moon, Kotarou gathers his courage to ask Akane a single question, one that forever changes their quiet relationship. For me it may be worth watching to understand the meme, but watching two extremely shy kids is awkward and hardly any fun at all..   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Re:Creators Re:CREATORS 〈レクリエイターズ〉 [TROYCA] (Finished 3/22) Tags: Isekai, Mecha Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi Humans have designed countless worlds—each one born from the unique imagination of its creator. Souta Mizushino is a high school student who aspires to be such a creator by writing and illustrating his own light novel. One day, while watching anime for inspiration, he is briefly transported into a fierce fight scene. When he returns to the real world, he realizes something is amiss: the anime's headstrong heroine, Selesia Yupitilia, has somehow returned with him. Before long, other fictional characters appear in the world, carrying the hopes and scars of their home. A princely knight, a magical girl, a ruthless brawler, and many others now crowd the streets of Japan. However, the most mysterious one is a woman in full military regalia, dubbed "Gunpuku no Himegimi," who knows far more than she should about the creators' world. Despite this, no one knows her true name or the world she is from. Meanwhile, Souta and Selesia work together with Meteora Österreich, a calm and composed librarian NPC, to uncover the meaning behind these unnatural events. With powerful forces at play, the once clear line between reality and imagination continues to blur, leading to a fateful meeting between creators and those they created. It's terribly boring. Nothing to see here unless you enjoy FSN clones, of course.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka Gaiden: Sword Oratoria Sword Oratoria: Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? On the Side ダンジョンに出会いを求めるのは間違っているだろうか外伝 ソード・オラトリア [J.C.Staff] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy After having descended upon this world, the gods have created guilds where adventurers can test their mettle. These guilds, known as "familia," grant adventurers the chance to explore, gather, hunt, or simply enjoy themselves. Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka Gaiden: Sword Oratoria begins in Orario, the lively city of adventures. The Sword Princess, Ais Wallenstein, and the novice mage, Lefiya Viridis, are members of the Loki Familia, who are experts at monster hunting. With the rest of their group, they journey to the tower of Babel in hopes of exploring the dungeon underneath. Home to powerful monsters, the dungeon will fulfill Ais's desire to master her sword skills, while bringing Lefiya closer to her dream of succeeding Riveria Ljos Alf, vice-captain of the Loki Familia, as the most powerful mage in the land. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 7/10   9. Shuumatsu Nani Shitemasu ka? Isogashii desu ka? Sukutte Moratte Ii desu ka? WorldEnd: What do you do at the end of the world? Are you busy? Will you save us? 終末なにしてますか？忙しいですか？救ってもらっていいですか？ [Satelight, C2C] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi  Putting his life on the line, Willem Kmetsch leaves his loved ones behind and sets out to battle a mysterious monster, and even though he is victorious, he is rendered frozen in ice. It is during his icy slumber that terrifying creatures known as "Beasts" emerge on the Earth's surface and threaten humanity's existence. Willem awakens 500 years later, only to find himself the sole survivor of his race as mankind is wiped out. Together with the other surviving races, Willem takes refuge on the floating islands in the sky, living in fear of the Beasts below. He lives a life of loneliness and only does odd jobs to get by. One day, he is tasked with being a weapon storehouse caretaker. Thinking nothing of it, Willem accepts, but he soon realizes that these weapons are actually a group of young Leprechauns. Though they bear every resemblance to humans, they have no regard for their own lives, identifying themselves as mere weapons of war. Among them is Chtholly Nota Seniorious, who is more than willing to sacrifice herself if it means defeating the Beasts and ensuring peace. Willem becomes something of a father figure for the young Leprechauns, watching over them fondly and supporting them in any way he can. He, who once fought so bravely on the frontlines, can now only hope that the ones being sent to battle return safely from the monsters that destroyed his kind. It has nice premise, but overall it's pretty bland and slow and boring. Resembles Utawarerumono a lot as it's also neither fish, nor meat  - neither harem, nor really plot driven story. Just some messy fantasy SOL with rare side-tracking into something else.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Busou Shoujo Machiavellianism Armed Girl's Machiavellism 武装少女マキャヴェリズム [SILVER LINK., Connect] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, Martial Arts, School Action, Comedy, Ecchi The Private Aichi Symbiosis Academy was originally a high school for high-class girls. When it became co-ed, the girls, out of fear, asked to be permitted to bring weapons to school. When that was enforced, a five-member vigilante corps-like organization called the "Supreme Five Swords" was also formed. After many generations, the five swords eventually became a group which corrected problematic students, and the academy started proactively accepting such students in order to correct them. Nomura Fudou was sent to this school after being part of a huge brawl. What will he do when the only options he has after enrolling are being expelled from that school or being corrected the way the rest of the male students there were...by being forced to dress and act like a girl! Silly ecchi fighting action is not what I typically enjoy without memorable characters or plot.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Renai Boukun Love Tyrant 恋愛暴君 [EMT Squared] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Supernatural When a strange girl named Guri comes knocking at Seiji Aino's door, he quickly finds himself thrust into a world of romantic troubles. Claiming that she will die if he doesn't kiss someone within 24 hours, Guri's pleas of desperation are misunderstood as pleas for love, leading Seiji to kiss the cute stranger that came barging into his house. In actuality, it turns out that this cosplaying cupid is the wielder of a Kiss Note, in which any pairing of names she writes will kiss and become a couple. Guri explains that she misspelt and accidentally wrote Seiji's name while indulging in her yaoi fantasies, but because she had yet to pair him with anyone, their kiss was meaningless. Even worse, Guri reveals that if Seiji is not coupled with anyone soon, not only will she die, but Seiji will remain a virgin for eternity! Eager to escape his fate, Seiji sets his sights on the beautiful and popular Akane Hiyama. But after Akane hears that he kissed Guri, she reveals the obsessive and psychopathic feelings that she holds for the unfortunate boy and proceeds to viciously attack them. In the ensuing confusion, Guri is able to pair Seiji with Akane in the Kiss Note, temporarily saving Seiji from any further bodily harm. But to complicate matters, Guri's newfound feelings lead her to also pair the two of them with herself. Just when the situation could not get any more convoluted, this new coupling with Guri has turned Seiji and Akane into temporary angels, forcing them into assisting the cupid with her work of pairing humans, lest they be cast into hell. With all semblance of normality snatched from his life, Seiji gets to work at matchmaking with these eccentric girls by his side. It's trashy as any harem and has weird sense of humor that I can't rely to.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata ♭ Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend .flat 冴えない彼女〈ヒロイン〉の育てかた♭ [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Harem, Otaku Culture, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi After finally completing the first route of his visual novel, Blessing Software's producer Tomoya Aki is optimistic about the future of his team and achieving their goal of creating the best game of the season. However, they still have a long way to go. For one, Megumi Katou still has an incredibly flat personality and is unable to fit the role of Tomoya's ideal heroine. The other members of Blessing Software, Eriri Spencer Sawamura, Utaha Kasumigaoka, and Michiru Hyoudou, often forget she is even there due to her lack of presence and character. Throughout the development of their game, Blessing Software learns the struggles of working in an industry where deadlines must be met and edits are made constantly, and the hardships of working in a group setting. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Zero kara Hajimeru Mahou no Sho Grimoire of Zero ゼロから始める魔法の書 [White Fox] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Anthropomorphic Action, Adventure, Fantasy In a world of constant war between humans and witches, there exist the "beastfallen"—cursed humans born with the appearance and strength of an animal. Their physical prowess and bestial nature cause them to be feared and shunned by both humans and witches. As a result, many beastfallen become sellswords, making their living through hunting witches. Despite the enmity between the races, a lighthearted witch named Zero enlists a beastfallen whom she refers to as "Mercenary" to act as her protector. He travels with Zero and Albus, a young magician, on their search for the Grimoire of Zero: a powerful spell book that could be extremely dangerous in the wrong hands. During their journey, his inner kindness is revealed as he starts to show compassion and sympathy towards humans and witches alike, and the unlikely companions grow together. It's pretty slow and nothing really interesting happens. It's watchable... just... why bother, really.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Shingeki no Bahamut: Virgin Soul Rage of Bahamut: Virgin Soul 神撃のバハムート VIRGIN SOUL [Cygames] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Mythology Action, Adventure, Fantasy A decade ago, humans, gods, and demons joined forces to stand against the threat of the colossal dragon, Bahamut. Now, in the present, humans living in the capital city of Anatae have been enjoying lavish and prosperous lives. Their progress is largely due to the administration of the newly appointed king, Charioce XVII, who has stolen a power from the gods and allowed for the abuse and slavery of the demon race in the capital. As humans continue to immorally exploit demons, a sense of hostility against humans begins to build up within demon communities, threatening a revolt. Meanwhile, an atmosphere of uneasiness is spreading among the gods, as they scramble to regain their lost power. Amidst it all, Nina Drango, a cheerful young bounty hunter, has arrived at the Royal Capital with hopes of settling down and earning a living. However, her peaceful life in the capital is quickly thrown into chaos when she crosses paths with the ominous Rag Demon who is determined to seek revenge against humans, and Kaisar Lidfard, a noble knight battling an internal moral conflict. Shingeki no Bahamut: Virgin Soul continues the tale of the social and moral conflict between humans, gods, and demons, and their struggle for survival and dominance. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Tsugumomo つぐもも [Zero-G] (Finished 3/12) Tags:  Harem, Mythology, School Action, Comedy, Supernatural, Ecchi In Japanese folklore, a "tsukumogami" is an object that has gained a soul, becoming alive and self-aware. There are two types of tsukumogami: the mature "tsugumomo," who have developed through long years of harmony with their owners, and the aberrant "amasogi," premature spirits that are only born to grant the destructive wishes of certain people. Kazuya Kagami has never gone without his mother's obi after her death. Be it at home or school, he keeps it safe with him at all times. One day, he nearly loses his life when a wig amasogi attacks him. When all seems to be over, his treasured obi defends him, transforming into a beautiful girl. She introduces herself as Kiriha, a tsugumomo owned by Kazuya's mother. With Kiriha's arrival, Kazuya enters a reality he has never seen before, a world with gods and tsukumogami. Harem mythology ecchi shounen already sounds underwhelming, but reality is even worse. Banality deserves corresponding score.   Overall Rating: 5/10   16. Granblue Fantasy The Animation Granblue Fantasy: The Animation [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy  This is a world of the skies, where many islands drift in the sky. A boy named Gran and a talking winged lizard named Vyrn lived in Zinkenstill, an island which yields mysteries. One day, they come across a girl named Lyria. Lyria had escaped from the Erste Empire, a military government that is trying to rule over this world using powerful military prowess. In order to escape from the Empire, Gran and Lyria head out into the vast skies, holding the letter Gran's father left behind—which said, "I will be waiting at Estalucia, Island of Stars." Typical boring RPG adaptation.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Natsume Yuujinchou Roku Natsume's Book of Friends Season 6 夏目友人帳 陸  [Shuka] (Finished 1/11) Tags: Shoujo Iyashikei, Mythology Drama, Slice of Life, Supernatural Takashi Natsume has grown accustomed to his encounters with youkai through the Book of Friends, which contains the names of youkai whom his grandmother, Reiko Natsume, has sealed in contracts. These encounters allow Natsume to better understand the youkai, Reiko, and himself. The Book of Friends is a powerful tool that can be used to control youkai; it is sought after by both youkai and exorcists alike. Natsume just wants to live out his daily life in peace but is constantly disrupted by these experiences. If he is to end this torment, Natsume must explore more about the book and the world of exorcism, as well as begin to open his heart to those who can help him. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Berserk 2nd Season Berserk: Season II ベルセルク [Millepensee, GEMBA] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Gore, Military Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Horror Demons have now become commonplace around the kingdom of Midland, which has fallen into chaos. The swordsman Guts still cannot stay in one place for long due to his demonic brand. He could always manage to protect himself when he was alone, but now he has the added challenge of protecting former Commander Casca, a shell of her former self who neither remembers nor trusts him. They never have a moment's rest with the constant threat of demons, and they need a place where Casca will be safe till they find a way to heal her. Their elf ally, Puck, tells of the mystical land of Elfhelm, which is supposed to be a safe haven from the demons that ravage the lands. Tired and with only a vague hope, they struggle on to find a place to live—and they still need to find those responsible for the madness they are forced to endure. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 7/10   19. Clockwork Planet クロックワーク・プラネット [Xebec] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Fantasy, Sci-Fi  Legend tells that when the Earth was destroyed, the great clockmaker Y made a replacement from cogs and gears. Naoto Miura is a young boy who aspires to be a great clockmaker. However, despite his unique talent—sensitive hearing that can immediately understand clockwork mechanics from noise alone—he has made little progress. But this changes when a coffin falls from the sky into his apartment, revealing RyuZU, a female automaton forged by Y himself. News of RyuZU's arrival brings Marie Bell Breguet, the gifted heir of a distinguished line of clockmakers, and her cyborg bodyguard Vainney Halter into Naoto's life as well. When she and Naoto both become embroiled in an action-packed battle for their lives, they discover an uncomfortable truth: the clockwork planet that humanity has lived on for over a millennium is beginning to break down—a secret that many people will kill to protect. Too bland and artificial... like everything from Xebec so far. And whatever potential it might have is buried by lackluster execution.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Sakura Quest サクラクエスト [P.A. Works] (Finished 3/25) Tags: Adult Cast, Workplace Slice of Life  Tired of her rural home, recent college graduate Yoshino Koharu is desperate to lead a more exciting life in Tokyo. After a fruitless job hunt, she finally receives a part-time offer as queen of the bizarre "Kingdom of Chupakabura," a rundown mini-attraction in the small agricultural town of Manoyama. However, Yoshino discovers upon her arrival in Manoyama that she was mistaken for a celebrity and the job offer was a mistake. Left with no other options, Yoshino reluctantly agrees to take on the role and aid the Board of Tourism in their efforts to revitalize Manoyama. Determined to bring excitement to the dying town with the help of local residents, the queen enacts a series of projects to highlight the beauty and charm of Manoyama's culture. Sakura Quest delves into the story of a tight-knit community that is struggling to balance change while also maintaining the rich traditions and bonds which define their identity. Dropped it earlier. It's the closest attempt to repeat successful scheme of Hanasaku Iroha which I consider minimally acceptable level for SOL masterpiece. And comparison is definitely not in favor of Sakura Quest here for me. It feels closer to mix of Locodol and Amagi Brilliant Park that I dropped. I'm not fond of stage where there's some poor proud place and lots of constant conflict management to make it survive. It's not bad and there may be mood for it, but first three episodes don't have even a bit of magic in it unlike Hanasaku Iroha.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Sakurada Reset Sagrada Reset サクラダリセット [David Production] (Finished 3/24) Tags: School, Super Power, Time Travel Mystery, Supernatural Kei Asai lives in the oceanside city of Sakurada—a town where the inhabitants are born with strange abilities. On the school rooftop one day, he meets Misora Haruki, an apathetic girl with the power to reset anything around her up to three days prior. While no one knows when she has reset, not even Haruki, Kei can retain everything before the reset thanks to his own ability: photographic memory. After they successfully help someone by combining their powers, they join the Service Club to aid others in their town. However, their club becomes involved with and begins completing missions for the mysterious Administration Bureau—an organization that focuses on managing the abilities in Sakurada and manipulating the town's events for their own ends. They may find out that there are more things at work in Sakurada than the machinations of the uncanny organization. Tags setup and synopsis are awful, so it requires a miracle for me to like it. I actually like windy dialogues and mature problem-solving attitude here, plus characters aren't repulsive. But at the same time there's just personal problem stories to explore, and something more integral would only crystalize by the end. There's a lot of needless constructed complexity just to make it look interesting instead of being interesting in a natural way. It's an example of good prominent literature akin to Monogatari. But do I like to see how these cases are handled and do I want to dive into this complexity just to somehow come to machinations of the uncanny organization? Don't think so, it contradicts my vision of concept about being "interesting", it's just not for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Oushitsu Kyoushi Heine The Royal Tutor 王室教師ハイネ [Bridge] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Historical Comedy Equally charming and stern, Heine Wittgenstein is a brilliant man who commands respect, despite his short, childlike stature. Thus, the king of Grannzreich has called upon Heine to undertake a daunting task that has driven away many before him—become the new royal tutor to four princes who are in line for the throne. The four heirs each have very distinct and troublesome personalities: Licht, the flirtatious youngest prince; his immature older brother Leonhard; Bruno the studious third prince; and Kai, the oldest of the four and the most reserved. Hilarity ensues as Heine attempts to connect with each of the princes in order to groom them for the throne. However, Heine's mysterious past and dark undercurrents in the present may threaten the harmony within the kingdom. It resembles Ouran Host Club to me - a sort of comedy with everyone being a bishounen and behaving erratically. It's obvious that everyone becomes keen on learning in the end, but I'm definitely not interested in the process.   Overall Rating: 5/10   23. Fukumenkei Noise Anonymous Noise 覆面系ノイズ [Brain's Base] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shoujo Love Polygon, Music, School  Drama, Romance Every day, a young girl wearing a mask stands by the beach and sings a nostalgic melody. After experiencing two sudden heart-wrenching partings when she was only a child, Nino Arisugawa has been singing her songs to the ocean, bound by a promise made with her two childhood friends—her first love, Momo Sakaki, and a boy who composed music, Kanade "Yuzu" Yuzuriha. Having never met each other, the boys both individually promised that if Nino was ever separated from them, her voice would be the beacon to reunite them once again. After six long years, destiny has finally placed Nino, Momo, and Yuzu in the same high school. However, the passage of time has changed many things in their lives—while Nino relentlessly attempts to fulfill her childhood promise with the boys, Yuzu's feelings for her from the past resurface, and Momo goes to great lengths to prevent a reunion with Nino. Through music, will they be able to mend their friendship and overcome all the feelings involved in this complicated love triangle? Got good memories of it, but mostly about gigs and songs. Having refreshed memories, it's a bit autistic, but still emotional and even with some nice humor at times. An unusual raw experience with goosebumps that I'm willing to recommend even despite some setbacks.   Overall Rating: 7/10   24. Alice to Zouroku Alice & Zoroku アリスと蔵六 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3`/12) Tags: Seinen Super Power Adventure, Mystery Sana is not an ordinary little girl; she possesses a special ability known as "Alice's Dream." Due to her power, which allows her to create anything from her imagination, all that she knows is the laboratory where she is a test subject. Wishing to experience the outside world, she escapes and meets a stubborn old florist named Zouroku Kashimura in a convenience store. All too soon, her pursuers catch up and Zouroku is roped into Sana's troubles. However, far from trying to distance himself, Zouroku extends a hand to help Sana. Following his values and sense of justice, he even gives the pursuers a piece of his mind! Zouroku then offers Sana a place to stay, beginning the daily life and struggles of the unlikely duo. Mystery, adventure, superpowers and running away concept is a failure recipe for a failed work, at least for me. Actual result feels half-baked.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Gin no Guardian The Silver Guardian 銀の墓守り〈ガーディアン〉 [Haoliners Animation League] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy High school student and gamer Suigin Riku attends the prestigious Shinryou Private Academy, a school for the elite and the children of the wealthy. But rich or wealthy are not words that describe Suigin; in fact, he is dirt poor and must work many part time jobs to pay for his tuition. During one such job, he dives into a pool to save his pet cat, fully aware that he cannot swim. Luckily, he is saved by Rei Riku, the beautiful and popular daughter of a game developer, and he falls in love with her. He is also drawn to another girl: a new friend he meets in Dungeon Century, his favorite online RPG. But when the game is scheduled to shut down, he knows his adventures with her will soon end. However, the day after the game is shut down, he finds out that Rei and the online girl are one and the same. Soon after, Rei gives Suigin a new game meant to replace Dungeon Century—a tomb raiding game called Grave Buster. But when Rei is suddenly kidnapped, Suigin is pulled inside Grave Buster to save her. Gin no Guardian follows Suigin as he plays through Grave Buster to save Rei, while uncovering the secrets hidden within the game. I quite like it. The problem is that it's half-length episodes, and half of the time is spent on setting the stage. And then right from the start of new Grave Buster MMO there's a lot of abstract battles that don't make much sense. The ending is a cliffhanger. So I still have no real idea what this Grave Buster game is about and how characters are connected. It's in no state to be called a masterpiece now just because substance is yet obscure, I'll make my mind after sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Seikaisuru Kado KADO: The Right Answer 正解するカド [Toei Animation] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Adult Cast Sci-Fi Cool-headed and rational, Koujirou Shindou is a government official and master negotiator with a well-earned reputation. While departing on a business trip, a giant cube materializes and his plane is taken undamaged into the mysterious, indestructible structure. As Japanese authorities attempt to identify the cube's properties and origins, Shindou encounters an otherworldly entity known as Yaha-kui zaShunina, who materializes in the form of a human man. He assures Shindou that the passengers are not in any danger and requests help in negotiations with the human world. Hailing from a higher dimensional universe known as Novo, Yaha-kui zaShunina is able to transfer information between Novo and Shindou's universe through a cube called Kado. Despite having these unfathomable abilities, he does not appear hostile. Instead, he announces that he has come to this world with only one intention: to "advance" humanity—starting with Japan. It's decent full CGI pseudo sci-fi about first contact, but it's slow paced and not interesting enough for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   27. Hinako Note ひなこのーと [Passione] (Finished 1/12) Tags: CGDCT, Performing Arts Slice of Life Born and raised in the countryside of Japan, Hinako "Hina" Sakuragi gets anxious easily when she talks to new people—so much so that she resembles a stiff scarecrow. To overcome this, Hina hopes to get involved in theater, inspired by a play she saw during her school's field trip. So, Hina moves into the Hitotose Manor in the bustling city of Tokyo to study at Fujiyama High School, aspiring to join the school's renowned theater club. But to Hina's dismay, she learns that Fujiyama High's theater club has been on a lengthy hiatus. Having already come to Tokyo and enrolled in the school, Hina is at a loss for what to do next. Sensing her disappointment and eagerness to learn theater, Chiaki Hagino, the landlady of Hitotose Manor, encourages Hina to create a troupe with the residents of Hitotose Manor as its members. Hinako Note follows Hina as she begins a new life in Tokyo attending Fujiyama High while learning the ropes of theater with the support of her friends along the way. CGDCT without comedy hardly cut it anymore as very few of them can beat K-ON which is a requirement to be appreciated by me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Uchouten Kazoku 2 The Eccentric Family 2 有頂天家族2 [P.A. Works] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Anthropomorphic, Mythology Comedy, Drama, Fantasy  After uncovering the truth behind their father's untimely death, life for the four Shimogamo brothers returns to relative peace with each trying to live up to their father's greatness in their own way. For the eldest, Yaichirou, who aims to become the next Trick Magister and leader of the tanuki society, it starts with reinstating the popular shogi tournament. For Yajirou, it is restoring his former shapeshifting abilities, whilst little Yashirou is content with continuing his work at the family’s factory. But for the third son, Yasaburou, it simply means embracing the "fool's blood" he inherited from his father and living a carefree but interesting life. This, of course, includes hunting for the mysterious and elusive snake-like creature known as a tsuchinoko, and causing ripples of trouble at every turn. However, these ripples threaten to turn into waves with the return of Nidaime, the estranged son of the brothers' tengu teacher, Professor Akadama. Nidaime bears a grudge against not only his father, but his father's apprentice Benten as well. His loyalties suddenly brought into question, Yasaburou must use his tanuki wit to appease all sides without getting caught in the crossfire, before the delicate balance between human, tengu, and tanuki is overthrown and all hell breaks loose. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Frame Arms Girl フレームアームズ・ガール [Zexcs, Studio A-CAT] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Mecha Action, Sci-Fi Ao Gennai is a completely average first-year high school student—that is, until a mysterious package is delivered to her home one day. Inside she finds Gourai, a tiny humanoid robot capable of movement and combat known as a Frame Arms Girl. Gourai is the first of her kind, possessing an extremely advanced AI that allows her to form a personality, learn, and grow, much like the human mind. Following Gourai's activation, Ao is thrust headfirst into the world of Frame Arms Girls as more and more of the intelligent robots are delivered straight to her front door. With a rather hefty cash incentive pushing her forward, Ao is committed to collecting as much data about the Frame Arms Girls and their combat as possible, all while they learn what it means to be human. Partially CGI completely mediocre SOL and fighting series, probably just for advertisement.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Atom: The Beginning アトム ザ・ビギニング [Production I.G, OLM, Signal.MD] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Action, Sci-Fi  Japan in the near future suffers an unexplained major disaster. Five years later, reconstruction is well underway. Two young researchers at a university are pinning all their hopes on robot development. Now their new interpretation of the eternal hero Astro Boy up until his birth is just about to start! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   31. Kyoukai no Rinne 3rd Season 境界のRINNE [Brain's Base] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen Mythology, School Comedy, Supernatural The third season of Kyoukai no Rinne. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   32. ID-0  [SANZIGEN] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Mecha, Space Sci-Fi Transferring the human consciousness into a robotic "I-Machine" is now a reality thanks to the discovery of a valuable ore called "orichalt." However, there is the possibility of the consciousness failing to return to the host's body, rendering them stuck inside their new metallic frame for good. Such is the situation of members of the Excavate Company, a reckless band of I-Machine miners led by the notorious Grayman that aims to gather orichalt for profit. During a mining incursion, the group rescues Maya Mikuri, a student who was abandoned by her crew. Accused of stealing classified information on orichalt by her former colleagues, she joins the Excavate Company in hopes of clearing her name. They then begin an adventure that will change their lives—including that of Ido, an ace member of the group with no memory of his past. For the first time, Ido might have the chance to rediscover his true identity. Full CGI, but rather pleasant. The closest thing we have is Planetes, but there's illegal mining by robots with human personalities instead of litter gathered by humans in space. What we're expected to enjoy is these human consciousness robots identities and past while having some adventures... and I just don't find it interesting enough.   Overall Rating: 6/10   33. Kabuki-bu! Kabukibu! カブキブ！ [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Performing Arts, School  Kurogu had a love of kabuki theater instilled in him from a very young age thanks to his grandfather. Now, as a high school student, he desires to create his own kabuki club in order to bring an appreciation of kabuki to a wider audience. He'll find, though, that with the weight of hundreds of years of strict tradition, it's not so easy to get high schoolers interested. A rough start is not enough to deter Kurogu, and he'll work hard to inspire in others the same burning passion he feels, until the day he can put on his own performance! Mainly male kabuki school club is on one of the the lowest interest tiers for me. Pilot episode is mundane and familiar, so I'll stop there.   Overall Rating: 6/10   34. Warau Salesman New The Laughing Salesman 笑ゥせぇるすまんNEW [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast Comedy, Drama Each episode follows Fukuzou Moguro, a traveling salesman, and his current customer. Moguro deals in things that give his customers their heart's desire, and once his deals are made and their unhealthy desires are satisfied, Moguro's customers are often left with terrible repercussions, especially if they break the rules of his deals... Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   35. Twin Angel Break Twin Angels Break ツインエンジェルBREAK [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Fantasy Amatsuki Meguru is a girl who innocently aspires to be a hero of justice and the cool Kisaragi Sumire who grew up in the strict Kisaragi household... The two girls who are in their 3rd year of middle school end up getting orders from a mysterious hedgehog named Miruku-chan and turn into Twin Angels in order to fight evil! Meguru is always cheerful but sometimes a bit too forceful. Meanwhile, Sumire isn't accustomed with being around others. Despite their differences, as they work together, they start opening up to each other. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   36. Idol Time PriPara アイドルタイムプリパラ [Tatsunoko Production, Dongwoo A&E] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Idols (Female), Music, School  The story focuses on Yui, a girl who lives in the town of Paparajuku, and who dreams of being an idol, even if she realizes that being an idol is next to impossible for her. Her friends often remark on how much she dreams about it. But then, the PriPara idol theme park opens in her town, and that an idol named Laala is coming to town from Parajuku, which only makes Yui dream even bigger. The new PriPara theme park has been updated with new concepts. However, due to a system error, Laala is no longer able to PriPara Change. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   37. PriPri Chii-chan!! PriPri Chi-chan!! プリプリちぃちゃん!! [OLM] (Finished 1/36) Tags: Shoujo Comedy, Sci-Fi The story revolves around a girl named Yuuka, who encounters a being from the depths of the Earth named Chii-chan (a pun of chiteijin, the Japanese word for underground-dweller), and an alien named Ucchan (a pun of uchuujin or alien). The story follows their heartwarming and chaotic everyday lives together. It's cute and fine, but it's still anime for kids akin to Doraemon, can't watch it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   38. Rilu Rilu Fairilu: Mahou no Kagami リルリルフェアリル ~魔法の鏡~ [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Fantasy, Slice of Life  Second Season of Rilu Rilu Fairilu: Yousei no Door. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   39. Quanzhi Gaoshou The King's Avatar 全职高手 [B.CMAY PICTURES] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Video Game Action Widely regarded as a trailblazer and top-tier professional player in the online multiplayer game Glory, Ye Xiu is dubbed the "Battle God" for his skills and contributions to the game over the years. However, when forced to retire from the team and to leave his gaming career behind, he finds work at a nearby internet café. There, when Glory launches its tenth server, he throws himself into the game once more using a new character named "Lord Grim." Ye Xiu's early achievements on the new server immediately catch the attention of many players, as well as the big guilds, leaving them to wonder about the identity of this exceptional player. However, while he possesses ten years of experience and in-depth knowledge, starting afresh with neither sponsors nor a team in a game that has changed over the years presents numerous challenges. Along with talented new comrades, Ye Xiu once again dedicates himself to traversing the path to Glory's summit! It actually started as firm masterpiece with focus on PVE bosses, team play, power grind, bonding, guilds competition. But it became evident soon that plot is non-existent, and focus shifted to PVP, sometimes team PVP and PK - not things that I appreciate. It still got enough curiosity raging to keep going, but only as minor masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 7/10   40. Kakuchou Shoujo-kei Trinary Augmented Reality Girls Trinary 拡張少女系トライナリー [feel.] (Finished 7/34) Tags: Sci-Fi Born from the strong emotions of their creators, self-contained pocket dimensions known as Phenomenon have begun forming across Japan. These false worlds overwrite the reality of an affected area and will only be undone if the maker is defeated or appeased. In response, a military-sponsored task force known as Trinary is formed, and its three members—Miyabi Koigasaki, Gabriela Lotaryńska, and Ayami Kunimasa—specialize in dispersing Phenomenon. Caught in one of these Phenomenon during her favorite idol's concert, Tsubame Ouse is saved by the timely arrival of Trinary, and together they are able to resolve the incident. After these events, Tsubame, along with newcomer Kagura Uzuki, decides to join the current Trinary team. As the girls struggle to balance their everyday lives and their responsibility to handle each new Phenomenon that appears, they realize that their own reality also has its own distinct set of problems. Partially translated. I usually don't like to include titles with episodes under 10 minutes like this one that gets to 4.5 minutes of pure screen time per episode, because it usually means vague episode structure or episodic character or focus on random gags etc. This one is random as there's no exposition and it's either fighting or talking or a bit SOL. And since it's not translated fully, there's no incentive to try to figure things out .   Overall Rating: 5/10   41. Arad: Suming Zhi Men 阿拉德：宿命之門 [Success Corp., Dangun Pictures] (Finished 2/20) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy On the continent of Arad martial arts, high-tech and magic coexist just fine. The protagonists start a new legendary journey as campus students. Partially translated. Looks like very ordinary shounen action.   Overall Rating: 5/10   42. Tian Yu Revelation 天谕 [Sparkly Key Animation Studio] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Mythology Action, Adventure, Fantasy A millennium ago, the Five Monarchs guarded the land of the Xia Dynasty with magical artifacts. Later, the leader of the Dragon Clan, Zu Long, assisted humanity by establishing the Yun Chui Empire. The Empire faces the Tranquil Ocean where the Xi and Black Water Clans have defended it throughout a peaceful millennium. Now, the waves are surging from below and chaos will rise once again. Full CGI, but at least it's not martial artists in ancient China, so not skipping right away/ But the actual contents is very similar - warriors and mages travel and get into adventures of varying degree of cringe.   Overall Rating: 5/10   43. Ai Ni Zhidao Shijie Jintou Love Land 爱你直到世界尽头 [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Romance  Movie tells the story of a male protagonist who lives in a dream after breaking up with his girlfriend. Unwilling to face reality, he undergoes all kinds of difficulties in his dream. What will happen when he wakes up? Not translated. Trashy visuals. As focus is on dream, it's full of abstract and psychedelia stuff.   Overall Rating: 5/10   44. Yoru wa Mijikashi Arukeyo Otome The Night is Short, Walk on Girl 夜は短し歩けよ乙女 [Science SARU] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Comedy, Romance On a mysterious night that seems to last for a year, an ordinary college student continues to chase one of his underclassmen, a girl with black hair—the girl of his dreams. Up until now, he has been relying on a simple plan, which is to calculatingly bump into her every day while making it seem like a meaningful coincidence. However, his efforts remain futile as their relationship is not progressing at all. Meanwhile, the black-haired girl believes that everything is connected by fate and endeavors to experience as many new things as possible, leaving it all for destiny to decide. While strolling along the lively streets of Kyoto, she discovers that the very beginning of her fateful journey—a book she had as a child—is currently being sold in a second-hand bookstore. Upon knowing this, the college student eyes another opportunity to run into her "by chance": this time, he hopes to get the book before she does and finally grasp the thread of fate that could connect their hearts. Art is very simple akin to Tatami Galaxy. Story is random and constantly jumping through protagonists and with musical parts, so it's more like a torture for me.   Overall Rating: 5/10   45. Blame! Movie Blame!: The Movie  [Polygon Pictures] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Mecha, Psychological Action, Drama, Sci-Fi A young girl named Zuru sets out on an expedition through a post-apocalyptic city controlled by machines in a desperate hunt for food. Things go awry when her team accidently triggers the city's AI defense program called the Safeguard. Attacked by the machines, her companions are on the verge of being annihilated when a mysterious man named Killy arrives and exterminates the hostile units. Despite his heroic intervention, Zuru is hesitant to trust Killy and questions his motives. He reveals to have come from thousands of levels below the city in order to find humans possessing the Net Terminal Genes—a trait that would allow humans to regain control of their civilization and shut down the Safeguard. After hearing his story, Zuru and the rest of her team join Killy and embark on a journey in search of the Genes that could prove to be mankind's last hope of survival. Without deeper acquaintance with franchise it's just some CGI survival and adventures in futuristic setting.   Overall Rating: 6/10   46. Yoake Tsugeru Lu no Uta Lu Over the Wall 夜明け告げるルーのうた [Science SARU] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Music Adventure, Award Winning, Supernatural In the seaside village of Hinashi Town, Kai Ashimoto's grandfather is one of the locals who reinforces the legend that mermaids lurk near Merfolk Island and consume humans. Due to allegedly attracting merfolk and subsequently causing the death of the elder's mother, music is seldom discussed in the Ashimoto household. Even so, Kai finds solace in making looped beats on his laptop and uploading them to the internet. Despite his reserved and glum demeanor, Kai is approached by Kunio and Yuuho Ebina, two cheerful classmates that happened upon one of his videos. The pair ask him to join their rock band but are met with apathy. Nevertheless, Kai agrees to accompany them in a practice session on Merfolk Island, where he soon witnesses something that he cannot explain. Later that night, Kai is composing music in his room when he attracts a familiar entity—a mermaid. As she twirls and grins to the sound of his stereo, Kai discovers a number of aspects about the being who introduces herself as Lu: she possesses incredible water manipulation powers; she buds a pair of functioning legs with the sound of music; but most notably, she is a truly benevolent creature who simply wants people to like her. Fostering a dynamic friendship, Kai and Lu gradually come to express their genuine selves, testing the long-standing boundaries that have deafened the resounding harmony among the people of Hinashi Town. What if Ponyo was a musical? A rather simple family friendly story. Art is simple too though not feeling bad. A bit too childish for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   47. Biohazard: Vendetta Resident Evil: Vendetta バイオハザード ヴェンデッタ [Marza Animation Planet] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi Chris Redfield enlists the help of Leon S. Kennedy and Rebecca Chambers to stop a death merchant, with a vengeance, from spreading a deadly virus in New York. Full CGI. A good watch, but it does not really tell a new story or surprises on some other level. We know what we're about to gain and we gain exactly that.   Overall Rating: 6/10   48. Cocolors COCOLORS（コカラス [Kamikaze Douga] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Sci-Fi  There is a world in which an endless rain of dark ash fills the sky, and covers the earth. Humanity, fearing the ash that burns and melts away human flesh, had no choice but to cover themselves in protective suits, and their faces with gigantic masks. Bundled up in their suits and hidden away behind their masks, the people have fled deep within the underground. This is the story of the children growing up in this fearful world. Full CGI with some filter. It's done mostly in dark palette and focuses colors a lot which I detest as a theme. It fails to tell a story, fails to convey a message and decides just to throw a tearjerker. Terrible.   Overall Rating: 5/10   49. Crayon Shin-chan Movie 25: Shin-chan Shuurai! Uchuujin Shiriri Crayon Shin-chan: Invasion!! Alien Shiriri 映画クレヨンしんちゃん　襲来!! 宇宙人シリリ [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi The film's story begins when Shiriri, an alien, arrives and turns Hiroshi and Misae into children. To turn them back, Shinnosuke must travel the length of Japan with Shiriri hidden in his butt. Meanwhile, Shiriri's father is moving forward with a huge conspiracy. Unfortunately, alien invasion means another thematic invader episode instead of something worthy like story focusing on some character. Whatever.   Overall Rating: 6/10
  12. kivandopulus

    Anime of the Year 2015-IV Fall - One Punch Man

    By kivandopulus,


    Anime of the Year
    One Punch Man prevails even though I treat it as comedy. Heavy Object is a nice little adventure that I don't want to forget again.   1. One Punch Man ワンパンマン  [Madhouse] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Parody, Super Power Action, Comedy The seemingly unimpressive Saitama has a rather unique hobby: being a hero. In order to pursue his childhood dream, Saitama relentlessly trained for three years, losing all of his hair in the process. Now, Saitama is so powerful, he can defeat any enemy with just one punch. However, having no one capable of matching his strength has led Saitama to an unexpected problem—he is no longer able to enjoy the thrill of battling and has become quite bored. One day, Saitama catches the attention of 19-year-old cyborg Genos, who witnesses his power and wishes to become Saitama's disciple. Genos proposes that the two join the Hero Association in order to become certified heroes that will be recognized for their positive contributions to society. Saitama, who is shocked that no one knows who he is, quickly agrees. Meeting new allies and taking on new foes, Saitama embarks on a new journey as a member of the Hero Association to experience the excitement of battle he once felt. Of course I liked it a lot before. But later seasons aren't that good, so it ends up being just a great parody comedy with nice action. Firm masterpiece is all I can give it.   Overall Rating: 8/10   2. Noragami Aragoto ノラガミ ARAGOTO [Bones] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shounen Mythology Action, Fantasy Yato and Yukine have finally mended their relationship as god and Regalia. As a minor and unknown deity, Yato continues to take odd jobs for five yen apiece in hopes of one day having millions of worshippers and his own grand shrine. He has yet to fix Hiyori Iki's loose soul, but she cheerily prepares for high school nonetheless. While things are seemingly back to normal, the complicated history between Yato and Bishamon—goddess of war and warriors—resurfaces. Bishamon holds a mysterious old grudge against Yato, which results in violent clashes between them. To further complicate matters, Bishamon's most trusted Regalia, Kazuma, is indebted to Yato. When lives are on the line, unraveling these secrets is possibly the only way to correct mistakes of the past. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Haikyuu!! Second Season Haikyu!! 2nd Season ハイキュー!! セカンドシーズン [Production I.G] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen School, Team Sports Sports Following their participation at the Inter-High, the Karasuno High School volleyball team attempts to refocus their efforts, aiming to conquer the Spring tournament instead. When they receive an invitation from long-standing rival Nekoma High, Karasuno agrees to take part in a large training camp alongside many notable volleyball teams in Tokyo and even some national level players. By playing with some of the toughest teams in Japan, they hope not only to sharpen their skills, but also come up with new attacks that would strengthen them. Moreover, Hinata and Kageyama attempt to devise a more powerful weapon, one that could possibly break the sturdiest of blocks. Facing what may be their last chance at victory before the senior players graduate, the members of Karasuno's volleyball team must learn to settle their differences and train harder than ever if they hope to overcome formidable opponents old and new—including their archrival Aoba Jousai and its world-class setter Tooru Oikawa. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry Chivalry of a Failed Knight 落第騎士の英雄譚《キャバルリィ》 [SILVER LINK., Nexus] (Finished 3/12) Tags: School Action, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi There exist few humans in this world with the ability to manipulate their souls to form powerful weapons. Dubbed "Blazers," these people study and train at the prestigious Hagun Academy to become Mage-Knights; among the students is so-called failure Ikki Kurogane, the sole F-rated Blazer. However, when the worst student in the academy sees Stella Vermillion, an A-ranked Blazer who also happens to be a princess, naked, she challenges him to a duel with dire stakes—the loser becomes the slave of the winner. There's no possible way that Stella can lose, right? As he tries to prove his strength to a world that believes him to be the weakest, Ikki gains new friends, wisdom, and experience. Pretty banal ecchi about class where students compete in fights with wonder waffles.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Owari no Seraph: Nagoya Kessen-hen Seraph of the End: Battle in Nagoya 終わりのセラフ　名古屋決戦編 [Wit Studio] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen Military, Vampire Action, Drama, Supernatural Yuuichirou Hyakuya is finally reunited with his childhood friend Mikaela Hyakuya, whom he had long presumed to be dead. Upon their reunion, however, he discovers that Mikaela has been turned into a vampire. Determined to help his friend, Yuuichirou vows to get stronger so that he can protect Mikaela as well as the comrades in the Moon Demon Company. Kureto Hiiragi receives information that a large group of vampires will be gathering in Nagoya, preparing for their assault on the Imperial Demon Army's main forces in Tokyo. Led by Guren Ichinose, Yuuichirou's team is one of many selected to intercept and eliminate the vampire nobles. With the Nagoya mission quickly approaching, the members of Shinoa squad continue to work towards fully mastering their weapons, while learning how to improve their teamwork. Yuuichirou must gain the power he needs to slay the nobles and save his best friend, before he succumbs to the demon of the Cursed Gear. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Gakusen Toshi Asterisk The Asterisk War 学戦都市アスタリスク [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, School Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi, Ecchi  In the previous century, an unprecedented disaster known as the Invertia drastically reformed the world. The powers of existing nations declined significantly, paving the way for a conglomerate called the Integrated Empire Foundation to assume control. But more importantly, the Invertia led to the emergence of a new species of humans who are born with phenomenal physical capabilities—the Genestella. Its elite are hand-picked across the globe to attend the top six schools, and they duel amongst themselves in entertainment battles called Festas. Ayato Amagiri is a scholarship transfer student at the prestigious Seidoukan Academy, which has recently been suffering from declining performances. Through a series of events, he accidentally sees the popular Witch of Resplendent Flames, Julis-Alexia von Riessfeld, half-dressed! Enraged, Julis challenges him to a duel for intruding on her privacy. After said duel is voided by the student council president, Ayato reveals that he has no interest in Festas. Instead, he has enrolled in the academy to investigate the whereabouts of his missing elder sister. But when a more devious plot unravels, Ayato sets out to achieve victory, while being surrounded by some of the most talented Genestella on the planet. Ecchi harem with such banal concept that it's not even funny by this point. Familiar archetypes and typical donkan protagonist with superpowers don't leave it any chances.   Overall Rating: 5/10   7. Owarimonogatari 終物語 [Shaft] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Vampire Comedy, Mystery, Supernatural A peculiar transfer student named Ougi Oshino has just arrived at Naoetsu Private High School. She is quickly introduced to senior student Koyomi Araragi by their mutual friend Kanbaru Suruga, in hopes of obtaining advice regarding a strange discovery she has made. After taking a look at the school's layout, Ougi notices that a classroom has appeared in an otherwise empty area—a place that should not exist. Unsure if this is the work of an apparition, Araragi and Ougi attempt to unravel the truth behind this enigma. But Araragi soon discovers, after finding himself locked in with Ougi, that the room holds the memory of an event he had long since forgotten. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Shinmai Maou no Testament Burst The Testament of Sister New Devil: Burst 新妹魔王の契約者 BURST [Production IMS] (Finished 3/10) Tags: Harem, Mythology Action, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi Basara Toujou has a hard life. He is the older step-brother to two demonic sisters, Mio and Maria Naruse, whom he protects from entitled demons looking to claim Mio's power for themselves. On top of that, rising political tension within the demon realm only makes his job more difficult. When a messenger arrives with summons for Mio to the demon realm, she and her friends go in spite of the danger. Now on the enemy's turf, Basara will have to grow stronger through erotic pleasure in order to do the impossible and protect everyone. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   9. K: Return of Kings  [GoHands] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Super Power Action, Fantasy Tensions are running high among the clans as the Green King begins making moves that threaten to drive the world into pandemonium. Following the death of the Gold King, the safety of the Dresden Slate, the source of power of the Kings, is under threat. Nagare Hisui, the sly and mysterious leader of the Green Clan Jungle, is determined to procure the powerful Slate by any means possible. Standing directly in his way is Sceptre 4, the Blue Clan, headed by their unyielding King, Reishi Munakata. However, the grim sight of his crumbling Sword of Damocles leaves the stability of his clan and all of Japan in jeopardy. Meanwhile, still recovering from their tragic losses, Anna Kushina and her aggressive clan HOMRA find themselves caught up in the Green King's games. Amidst the chaos, Kurou Yatogami and Neko are left vulnerable while their beloved friend, Yashiro Isana, the Silver King, remains missing. As the remaining clans struggle against the Green King's formidable forces, one final king appears. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Taimadou Gakuen 35 Shiken Shoutai Anti-Magic Academy: The 35th Test Platoon 対魔導学園35試験小隊 [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, Military Action, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi In a world plagued by magical dangers and threats, there exist special warriors—known as Inquisitors—who are tasked with non-violently preventing these threats and nefarious actions. The Anti-Magic Academy is a specialized school built to educate and train these Inquisitors, which splits its students into small squads in order to train them to work together. Among these talented squads is the 35th Test Platoon, also known as the "Small Fry Platoon" due to its low ranking and incompetent members. However, everything changes when Ouka Ootori, a powerful yet rebellious former Inquisitor, is forced into joining due to her tendency to break rules and committing a serious violation: the killing of a witch. Tempers flare upon her arrival, as she clashes with their clumsy captain Takeru Kusanagi and argues with the rest of the squad over her views on witches. This eclectic group has a long way to go if they wish to succeed and climb the ranks at the Anti-Magic Academy: they must first set aside their differences and come to work together as a team. A slightly better harem ecchi than usual, but after ok premise it inevitably falls into degradation.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Ore ga Ojousama Gakkou ni "Shomin Sample" Toshite Gets♥Sareta Ken Shomin Sample 俺がお嬢様学校に「庶民サンプル」としてゲッツされた件 [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Kimito Kagurazaka is a commoner with a fetish for men's muscles—or at least that's the lie he must keep telling if he wants to keep himself out of trouble at the elite all-girls school, Seikain Academy. Kidnapped by the school under the assumption that he prefers men, Kimito is made to be their "commoner sample," exposing the girls to both commoner and man so that the transition to the world after school is not jarring. Threatened with castration should his sexual preferences not match the school's assumptions, Kimito keeps up the facade to protect his manhood. But there are eccentric individuals around every corner who begin to make Kimito's life even more difficult. Among them are Aika Tenkuubashi, a social outcast who blurts out whatever comes to mind; Hakua Shiodome, a young genius; Karen Jinryou, the daughter of samurai who is obsessed with defeating Kimito; and Reiko Arisugawa, the perfect student who has delusions of marrying Kimito. Along with the commoner himself, these four girls make up the Commoner Club, which attempts to teach the girls more about life outside the school, while Kimito gradually learns about the odd girls surrounding him. Again, not exactly bad, but not outstanding either harem ecchi.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Shingeki! Kyojin Chuugakkou Attack on Titan: Junior High 進撃！巨人中学校 [Production I.G] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Shounen Parody, School Comedy On his first day of junior high, Eren Yeager comes face-to-face with a titan—and has his lunch stolen! From that day on, he holds a grudge against titans for taking his favorite food from him, a cheeseburger, vowing to eliminate their kind once and for all. Along with his adoptive sister Mikasa Ackerman and their friend Armin Arlert, the trio traverse the halls of Titan Junior High, encountering familiar faces and participating in various extracurricular activities as part of the Wall Cleanup Club. A parody of the immensely popular parent series, Shingeki! Kyojin Chuugakkou places beloved characters as junior high school students, fighting to protect their lunches from gluttonous titans. I tried couple episodes back then, and it was far from good comedy, so not going to repeat that experience.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Kidou Senshi Gundam: Tekketsu no Orphans Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans 機動戦士ガンダム 鉄血のオルフェンズ [Sunrise] (Finished 25/25) Tags: Mecha, Space Action, Drama, Sci-Fi Over three hundred years have passed since the Calamity War, the great conflict between Earth and its outer space colonies. Now Earth is ruled over by four economic blocs, and the military organization Gjallarhorn is responsible for keeping the peace. Mars, on the other hand, depends heavily on Earth's economy. Horrified by the appalling living conditions that Mars' inhabitants have to bear, Kudelia Aina Bernstein, a young aristocrat from the Chryse Autonomous Region, gets involved in the Red Planet's independence movement. She hires the services of a local company, Chryse Guard Security (CGS), to escort her on the journey to Earth to negotiate economic conditions with the earthly bloc that controls the region. The Third Army Division—consisting of Mikazuki Augus, Orga Itsuka, and many other child soldiers—are chosen to protect her. When Gjallarhorn attacks the CGS facilities to assassinate the young revolutionary threatening their interests, Orga and his comrades must not let the attackers accomplish their goal—in fact, Gjallarhorn's actions might turn out to be the unintentional catalyst that leads the children to be the forgers of their own destiny. Watched it because of high scores and because if finally looks somewhat modern. And it's just a loose fantasy based on squadron of orphans, does not differ much what what can be imagined on this topic. Character designs are rather questionable, themes and motives are simple. So it's just another fighting mecha action fast food that gets worse and worse as it goes, and ending is yet another disappointment.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Sakurako-san no Ashimoto ni wa Shitai ga Umatteiru Beautiful Bones -Sakurako's Investigation- 櫻子さんの足下には死体が埋まっている [TROYCA] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Drama, Mystery, Suspense  When Shoutarou Tatewaki first meets Sakurako Kujou, he knows his life will never be the same. Initially believing her to be responsible for a disappearance in the neighborhood, he later learns of her true talent: analyzing bone specimens. Sakurako has quite the collection of reconstructed animal bones, but she wishes she had more of the human variety, much to the chagrin of those around her. Soon, Shoutarou begins accompanying the eccentric osteologist on the many different unsolved cases she comes across—usually in the form of decomposing bodies. But with so many incidents happening around them, could there be a larger mystery at work in their lives? Sakurako-san no Ashimoto ni wa Shitai ga Umatteiru is a story of two unlikely partners, each showing in their own way that bones can tell how one died, but only people can tell how they lived. It's murder investigation mystery, so I just don't enjoy it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Osomatsu-san Mr. Osomatsu おそ松さん [Pierrot] (Finished 4/25) Tags: Gag Humor, Parody Comedy The majority of the Matsuno household is comprised of six identical siblings: self-centered leader Osomatsu, manly Karamatsu, voice of reason Choromatsu, cynical Ichimatsu, hyperactive Juushimatsu, and lovable Todomatsu. Despite each one of them being over the age of 20, they are incredibly lazy and have absolutely no motivation to get a job, choosing to live as NEETs instead. In the rare occurrence that they try to look for employment and are somehow able to land an interview, their unique personalities generally lead to their swift rejection. From trying to pick up girlfriends to finding the perfect job, the daily activities of the Matsuno brothers are never dull as they go on all sorts of crazy, and often downright bizarre, adventures. Though they desperately search for a way to improve their social standing, it won't be possible if they can't survive the various challenges that come with being sextuplets! It's nonsense comedy, so not great for me, plus visual style is really irritating.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Subete ga F ni Naru The Perfect Insider すべてがFになる THE PERFECT INSIDER [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 3/11) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective, Psychological Mystery, Sci-Fi In a research facility hidden away on a remote island, genius programmer Shiki Magata has lived as a recluse for years. She rarely sees guests, but associate professor Souhei Saikawa and university student Moe Nishinosono still seek her out. However, their meeting is cut short when they are caught up in a locked-room murder mystery. Everything is not as it seems, and many secrets are hidden. Within an isolated facility, a seemingly impossible and gruesome crime takes place, and Saikawa and Moe must unravel the truth behind the murder and Magata's shrouded past. One of the worst kinds of detective mystery.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Heavy Object ヘヴィーオブジェクト [J.C.Staff, SANZIGEN] (Finished 24/24) Tags: Mecha, Military Action, Sci-Fi  In the distant future, the nature of war has changed. "Objects"—massive, spherical tanks impermeable to standard weaponry and armed with destructive firepower—rule the battlefield; their very deployment ensures victory, rendering traditional armies useless. However, this new method of warfare is about to be turned on its head. Qwenthur Barbotage, a student studying Object Design, and Havia Winchell, a radar analyst of noble birth, serve in the Legitimate Kingdom's 37th Mobile Maintenance Battalion, tasked with supporting the Baby Magnum, one of the nation's Objects. Unfortunately, a battle gone awry places the duo in a precarious situation: mere infantry stand face-to-face against the unfathomable might of an enemy Object. As they scramble to save themselves and their fellow soldiers, a glimmer of hope shines through, and the world's perception of Objects is changed forever. Heavy Object follows these two soldiers alongside Milinda Brantini, the Baby Magnum's pilot, and their commanding officer Frolaytia Capistrano as the unit treks all over the globe to fight battle after battle. Facing one impossible situation after another, they must summon all their wit and courage to overcome the insurmountable foes that are Objects. It took me entire episode to remember that I watched and liked it. Basically, this is how good mecha with really lively characters should look like, and it's ten times better than any Gundam with its boredom, staleness and simplicity. Now it feels a bit more immature, but it definitely deserves to be remembered .   Overall Rating: 7/10   18. Gochuumon wa Usagi desu ka?? Is the Order a Rabbit?? ご注文はうさぎですか?? [Kinema Citrus, White Fox] (Finished 1/12) Tags: CGDCT, Iyashikei, Workplace Slice of Life With a new year comes new adventures, especially at the Rabbit House! Since her arrival at the café, Kokoa Hoto has become accustomed to her new life as a waitress even though the Rabbit House isn't the rabbit paradise she initially envisioned it to be. Life is pleasant, and she enjoys spending time both working and playing with her friends and fellow waitresses Chino Kafuu, a cute middle school student with a fuzzy bunny companion named Tippy, and Rize Tedeza, the pig-tailed daughter of a soldier who is readily armed for any scenario. Together with Chiya Ujimatsu and Sharo Kirima, who also work at neighboring cafés in town, the Rabbit House crew gets involved in all sorts of crazy adventures. Throughout these adventures, the girls encounter troubled novelists, rival cafes, secret treasure, and... alcoholic chocolates? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Yuru Yuri San☆Hai! ゆるゆり さん☆ハイ！ [TYO Animations] (Finished 12/12) Tags: CGDCT, Gag Humor, School Comedy, Girls Love The members of the Amusement Club are back with more of Kyouko Toshinou's antics, Chinatsu Yoshikawa's schemes, Yui Funami's retorts, and Akari Akaza's small social presence as they strive to make each day as fun as the last! Whether the activity is an arm wrestling contest or making pancakes together, the group of entertainment-seekers are sure to give it their all. The club members are often joined by their friends in the Student Council, who know how to have a good time as well. While it can get a little chaotic when all eight girls get together, it sure doesn't stop them from meeting up and having fun! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Utawarerumono: Itsuwari no Kamen Utawarerumono: The False Faces うたわれるもの 偽りの仮面 [White Fox] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Action, Drama, Fantasy  Waking up cold and alone in the woods, a nameless man is surrounded by unfamiliar scenes. Without any memories, he is utterly lost until he stumbles upon Kuon—a young girl with animal ears and a tail. She saves him, leading him back to her town while protecting them both from "boro-gigiri"—giant centipede-like creatures—and a mysterious red slime. After they arrive, she names him Haku after a prominent historical figure from the area. He quickly realizes he is one of a kind—the only one without animal ears and a tail. The two journey to the capital of Yamato, the country in which Kuon lives, meeting more people and making new friends, all the while unknowingly delving deeper into the politics and inner conflicts of Yamato... Utawarerumono: Itsuwari no Kamen follows Haku as he slowly uncovers the secrets of this alien world. He works to solve the mysteries surrounding the red slimes, as well as to stop war from erupting among the nearby countries. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Comet Lucifer コメット・ルシファー [8bit] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Mecha Action, Adventure, Fantasy In the world of Gift, the bowels of the planet hide a highly sought after crystalline substance known as Giftium. A young boy on Gift named Sougo Amagi inherited his interest in Giftium from his mother, a researcher. As an inhabitant of Garden Indigo, a small and prosperous miner's town, Sougo has many opportunities to forage and collect rare crystals that can only be found there. However, the most exciting treasure that Sougo discovers is not a crystal, but a person. After being pulled into a school quarrel, he plummets into the deep caverns of an old mine. There, in the abysmal depths of the earth, Felia—an enigmatic girl with red eyes and blue hair—emerges from a large crystal. Through this strange first encounter, bonds of friendship are formed between Felia and Sougo. But Felia is being pursued by a secret organization that aims to use her powers for their own benefit, and Sougo and his friends must help her, all while discovering the true nature of this girl from the crystal. If shounen action does not focus on fights, it often becomes just a game of tags like this one. Childish and just not good.   Overall Rating: 5/10   22. Hidan no Aria AA Aria the Scarlet Ammo AA 緋弾のアリアAA（ダブルエー） [Doga Kobo] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen School Action, Comedy Akari Mamiya, a first-year student from Tokyo Butei High, idolizes the S-rank Butei Aria Holmes Kanzaki and wishes to follow in her footsteps. Despite only being an inept E-rank Butei, Akari's resolve to improve remains strong. After the idea of having an Amica contract (a senior-student mentorship program) with Aria is brought up, Akari submits a request form attempting to establish said contract. Her classmates and friends do not expect Aria to accept Akari's request, mainly because of the girl's strict selection process, but to everyone's surprise, Aria gives Akari a chance through a test, which Akari miraculously passes! However, Aria will not officially make Akari her Amica until Akari meets her standards. Training under Aria will be no easy feat, as she has to concurrently manage her relationships with her friends. Will Akari have what it takes to walk down the same path as her idol? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Concrete Revolutio: Choujin Gensou Concrete Revolutio コンクリート・レボルティオ～超人幻想～ [Bones] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Mythology, Super Power Action, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi On a sunny July day in the 41st year of the Shinka Era, Jirou Hitoyoshi is tasked with covertly listening in on a secret meeting between a top government scientist and an industrial spy. However, his cover is blown, and the spy reveals himself to be an alien in disguise. Amidst the ensuing chaos, Jirou enlists the aid of cafe waitress and magical girl Kikko Hoshino, one of many "superhumans" who blend into society and secretly protect humanity from extraterrestrial threats. As a member of the government agency known as the Super Population Research Laboratory, Jirou has the dual task of protecting superhumans that defend humanity and disposing of any deemed too dangerous to live. Having proven herself a worthy ally, Kikko is invited to join the agency as its newest recruit. Fast forward five years: disapproval and distaste for superhumans are now commonplace in Tokyo. From government corruption and conflicting ideas of justice, to the morality of superhuman rights, the relationship between humans and the supernatural minority balances precariously in a world pervaded by whispers of unrest and unease. Under mysterious circumstances, Jirou has betrayed the agency, and is now a fugitive on the run. As he skulks through the rainy back alleys of Shinjuku, he is pursued by the very same superhumans that he himself once recruited. It starts as mahou shoujo and continues as superhero episodes instead with some sidetracking. Anyway. not finding it interesting.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Young Black Jack ヤング ブラック・ジャック [Tezuka Productions] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Historical, Medical Drama In the 1960s, a gifted young medical student tries to make a name for himself. Kuroo Hazama is a reserved young man with unusual black-and-white hair, a body covered with scars, and a dark past. Despite only being a medical student, his surgical brilliance starts to attract attention after he completes a seemingly impossible operation. Together with the spirited and honest intern Maiko Okamoto and Yabu, a close friend with a troubled life, Hazama devotes himself to the world of medicine. However, his path to becoming a respectable surgeon is a difficult one as student riots, war, and corruption are consuming Japan. Hazama quickly finds himself caught up in a series of nefarious circumstances that challenge his integrity as a person and his path towards becoming a surgeon. Young Black Jack chronicles the story of a man capable of performing unthinkable feats of medicine, and the journey that leads him to become the legend known as Black Jack. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   25. Lupin III (2015) Lupin the Third Part 4 ルパン三世 [Discotek Media] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast Action, Adventure, Comedy, Mystery Lupin is the main character in this series which takes place in Italy and San Marino. Reflecting its setting, the anime debuted in Italy before it aired in Japan. Lupin III fans will note that the titular thief now dons a blue coat, following his earlier appearances in green (first series and some OVAs), red (the second series as well as most films and television specials) and pink (third series). Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Lance N' Masques ランス・アンド・マスクス [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Fantasy  Eight words describe the feelings of Youtarou Hanabusa: "I just want to live a normal life." Unfortunately for him, as a member of the Knights of the World, his training in this ancient and international order has left him with a condition he calls "White Knight Syndrome." This condition causes Youtarou to instinctively act heroically and chivalrously whenever he encounters someone in danger. To protect his identity in such embarrassing moments, he carries a mask with him at all times. Then one day, he saves the life of Makio Kidouin, the young daughter of an elite and affluent family. Little does he know that this singular act of heroism will change his life forever. Soon, he is simultaneously blessed with a life in the lap of luxury and cursed with one of abnormality, for his new friend Makio lives a life far removed from the everyday. Between coping with the hijinks of six-year-old Makio, and dealing with a cast of odd friends and scheming enemies, Youtarou must protect his new friend while keeping his identity hidden as the masked hero Knight Lancer. All heroines look the same, and story is absolutely banal superhero one and not going anywhere.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Starmyu 高校星歌劇［スタミュ］ [C-Station] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Idols (Male), Music, Performing Arts, School  Yuuta Hoshitani enrolls in the prestigious Ayanagi Academy in hopes of finding the high school student who inspired him. The academy is well-known for producing exceptional musical talent, but students must first compete for acceptance into the Musical Department. At the top of the department is the Kao Council—a group of third-year students who possess a great deal of influence over the school and admission into the department. The fastest route to entering the department for Hoshitani is to find a way into a Star Team, which would allow him to be taught by a member of the Kao Council. After catching the eyes of Itsuki Ootori, Hoshitani finds himself under the tutelage of the Kao Council's most eccentric member. Alongside him on Team Ootori is his roommate, Tooru Nayuki, fledgling Kabuki actor Kakeru Tengenji, the quiet Shuu Kuga, and Kaito Tsukigami, the younger brother of famous Ayanagi alumni Haruto. As Hoshitani struggles with his lack of talent, his teammates must also overcome their shortcomings. Facing opposition from other talented Star Teams, including the other four members of the Kao Council, Team Ootori must carve their own path as they aim to perform in the Ayanagi Festival. Can't stand juvenile silly bishounen idols.   Overall Rating: 5/10   28. Garo: Guren no Tsuki Garo: Crimson Moon GARO 紅蓮ノ月 [MAPPA] (Finished 1/23) Tags: Mythology Action, Fantasy  Monsters known as "Horrors" have invaded the world, entering through gates from the Makai Realm of Darkness. These corrupt, demonic creatures have the ability to seize human bodies and feed on their souls. Citizens who are out past sunset will likely never see the sun rise again, but those who live in the capital city have no need to worry—they are protected by a spiritual force field created by the sorcerer group Onmyouji. In possession of legendary armor, the Golden Knight Raikou proclaims that he will protect everyone from the Horrors. Accompanied by his attendant Kintoki and the mysterious Makai Alchemist Seimei, he strives to become a formidable Makai Knight, but Raikou is ill-prepared to handle the side effects of the armor. Disappointed by his own shortcomings, he sets out on a journey of self-discovery to master his weaknesses and prove his worth. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor - Exodus Part 2 蒼穹のファフナー Dead Aggressor EXODUS [I.Gzwei] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Mecha, Military Action, Drama, Sci-Fi Continuation of Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor - Exodus. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   30. Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo Returns 2nd Season 金田一少年の事件簿R【リターンズ】 [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/22) Tags: Shounen Mystery  Hajime Kindaichi once again becomes embroiled in solving baffling cases and deciphering puzzling crimes that would confound the most seasoned of detectives. Whether it's a gruesome murder and shady circumstances surrounding the Japanese board game Go; a perplexing and macabre case involving a mysterious character, "Rosenkreutz," and blue roses; or blood curdling crimes associated with an urban legend at a winter ski resort – Hajime is out to crack them all! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   31. Itoshi no Muco Lovely Muuuuuuuco! いとしのムーコ [DLE] (Finished 3/25) Tags: Pets Comedy, Slice of Life  Muco is the sweetest, most lovable dog in the neighborhood. This sparkly-nosed Shiba Inu lives with her owner and best friend, Komatsu, a glassblower who lives in the mountains. These two companions have wonderful adventures, from going on walks to playing in the pond in front of their house. No matter where they go or what they do, Muco will always love her best friend Komatsu! Half-length episodic episodes of low art quality comedy around dog life and his owner. Humor is not bad, though.   Overall Rating: 6/10   32. Brave Beats ブレイブビーツ [Bandai Namco Pictures] (Finished 1/22) Tags: Music Adventure Hibiki Kazaguruma, a sixth grader, meets an amusing little robot named Bureikin while coming home from school one day. Bureikin, a dancer from an alternate-dimension dance world, challenged the dance king for the throne and lost. He has been deprived of Dance Stones (the stones of dance power) and sent to the human world. To restore his power, Bureikin must collect all the Dance Stones scattered around Earth. It's clearly childish and not marked as for kids properly.   Overall Rating: 5/10   33. Shin Atashin'chi 新あたしンち [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Comedy, Slice of Life  Outrageous misadventures of an almost normal family with a housewife, her husband, and their two kids Yuusuke and Mikan. Wacky humor about this weird family's daily life. Normal yonkoma with rather redneck mother and her family.   Overall Rating: 6/10   34. Peeping Life TV: Season 1?? Peeping Life（ピーピングライフ）TV シーズン1 ?? [Tatsunoko Production, CoMix Wave Films, FOREST Hunting One] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Comedy, Slice of Life  This "slow-life anime" is part of the datsuryoku-kei (ennui-style) genre of comedy that depicts the minutiae of everyday life. The series observes the daily lives of Heroes from the worlds of Tezuka Production and Tatsunoko Production, "evolved" for their modern TV appearances, and combines motion-captured improvised acting with computer animation into a series of comedy shorts. Just random talking like in any variety show with minimal 3D animation.   Overall Rating: 4/10   35. Momokuri ももくり [Satelight] (Finished 3/26) Tags: School Comedy, Romance After taking one hundred secret photos and observing him from afar for months, second-year high schooler Yuki Kurihara has finally mustered up the courage to ask out her first-year crush Shinya "Momo" Momotsuki. Although taken by surprise, the bashful Momo accepts; however, he does not know the profoundly abnormal truth. As her strait-laced friend, Norika Mizuyama, has observed, Yuki has developed some unnerving—but nonetheless sincere—habits: taking pictures of Momo in secret, doing extensive research into his personal life, collecting his used straws, and even going "Momo watching." Though Momo remains blissfully unaware of his new girlfriend's peculiar habits, he does notice some oddities in their daily conversations. Still unsure and nervous about his first relationship, Momo finds himself regularly getting into awkward interactions due to his inexperience, but nevertheless resolves to make his new girlfriend happy. Momokuri follows Yuki and Momo as they shyly explore their newfound love, and also deal with the problems that arise from it. Awkward and simplistic romance.   Overall Rating: 5/10   36. Aishen Qiaokeli-ing... 爱神巧克力ING... [B.CMAY PICTURES] (Finished 3/15) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance Jiang Hao Yi, a normal, high school student who is extremely scared of getting into trouble suddenly becomes the Harem King of his school and gets confessed to by a bunch of beautiful girls! The worst thing is, Jiang hao doesn't know any of the girls who confessed to him! What on earth is happening? Chinese anime finally starts to look like Japanese anime, but it starts with copying basic school harems, and that's not good.   Overall Rating: 5/10   37. Kidou Senshi Gundam Thunderbolt Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt 機動戦士ガンダム サンダーボルト [Sunrise] (Finished 4/4) Tags: Mecha, Military, Space Action, Drama, Sci-Fi In Universal Century 0079, forces of the Earth Federation and Principality of Zeon engage in a battle within the Thunderbolt Sector during the One Year War. This section of space—known for its constant strikes of electricity—proves to be a deadly battlefield, as Federation pilot Io Fleming leads a charge against Zeon's ace Daryl Lorenz and his squad of snipers. With the fighters on both sides proving to be formidable soldiers, neither side is willing to back down, fighting strategically amongst the remnants of colonies. But when Io gets a hold of a prototype Gundam, Daryl will have to make a sacrifice in order to obtain enough power to crush his enemy and ensure that Zeon is victorious, or watch as his comrades are slaughtered by a single man. Experiments are really welcome for Gundam franchise, but I don't consider this one-hour gig a good one. Just an attempt to make a gritty classy side-story. There's very little time already, and a huge chunk of it is just some jazz instead of any meaningful resolution. Try better next time, Sunrise.   Overall Rating: 6/10   38. Monster Strike モンスターストライク [Studio Hibari] (Finished 3/51) Tags: Video Game Action, Fantasy Ren Homura has just moved back to his hometown of Kaminohara, but he isn't able to remember much about the time he spent there other than vague flashbacks. When he retrieves his cell phone which he had sent to a shop for repairs, he finds that a mysterious game titled “Monster Strike” has been installed on it. Unaware of its purpose or how it got there, Ren decides to open it, an action that will change his life forever as he finds himself suddenly attacked by a strange man. Now trapped on the roof of his school which strangely has been designated as a "stage," Ren is shocked to see the man summon a realistic monster from the game, one that is more than capable of inflicting damage on a human. His only chance of getting out of this situation alive is by summoning the dragon Oragon, who tells Ren that he will crush the opposing monster for him. Unfortunately, it turns out that Oragon is a tiny dragon that is completely useless! Slightly better than pokemon.   Overall Rating: 5/10   39. Ling Yu 灵域 [Haoliners Animation League] (Finished 3/10) Tags: Fantasy  In the world of Ling Yu(Spiritual Field), there is a continent named Chilan(Red Tide), where warriors and their Spirit Weapons are classified into different levels. Families and clans follow a strict hierarchy, too. Under the leadership of the Xuantian Union, human warriors and the Evil Clan have been engaged in brutal fights on Nether Battlefield for hundreds of years. A Soul-devouring Beast sneaked into the Chilan Continent through a crevice on the Nether Battlefield before it ruthlessly slaughtered the Feng Town and the Gao Town. Qin Lie, a young man from the Ling Town, together with Ling Yushi and Gao Yu whom he had grown up with, was commanded to help the Xuantian Union in the conquest of the Soul-devouring Beast. He did not anticipate that he would be swallowed into a great conspiracy. To protect his friends and to rescue the one he loves, the powers hiding in his veins are awakening. Oversaturation with Chinese folklore and symbols makes it impossible to watch for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   40. Tong Zhi Zhe 通职者 [Tencent Animation & Comics] (Finished 4/10) Tags: Detective Adventure, Horror A Jack of All Trades is a person who can competently do all kinds of jobs. Loser Zhang Dabao is a professional Jack of All Trades, but his living conditions are, shall we say, less than satisfactory. One day, a beautiful woman who is being harassed by a pervert approaches him for help. He accepts, and soon embarks on a mission like nothing the world has seen before. It ends up being a series of detective mysteries after introductory arc.   Overall Rating: 5/10   41. Hua Jianghu: Ling Zhu 画江湖之灵主 [Rocen] (Finished 2/41) Tags: Historical, Martial Arts Drama, Fantasy Human beings can be divided into two kinds: ordinary people who work for the living, and the undead who work for the dead. For the undead, their lives are dedicated to fulfilling the final wishes of ghosts who died with regrets. As for Baili Dengfeng, he has one and only one destiny in this world: to find his long-missing wife Ruyan. During his quest, Dengfeng makes acquaintance with Jia Xuan, whose family was murdered and is yet to be avenged, Liang You who is cute, naughty and adores him very much, and Liang Yuan, who simply doubts everything neurotically. After a series of events, he also learns of the existence of Spirit Masters and Spirit Slaves, and gets in touch with a mystical organization named "Spirits Expelling Order". With more and more mysteries being unveiled, the truth is drawing closer and closer to Dengfeng, who perhaps would rather not face the whole of it. Full CGI traditional Chinese history story, but at least with adequate interactions and even some humor.   Overall Rating: 6/10   42. Shiguang Guiyu The Prisoners of Time 时光诡域 [Tencent Animation & Comics] (Finished 3/10) Tags: Drama, Supernatural  On his wedding day, Shi Xiaoguang could only helplessly watch as a mysterious power took his bride Xiaqing, away. Afterwards, he found that no one remembered the existence of “Xiaqing” and he is hunted by this unclear force. Faced with this situation, Shi Xiaoguang slowly began understanding that the world as he knew it had changed. Crude concept, realization and experience.   Overall Rating: 5/10   43. Shen Ming Zhi Zhou The Totem Warrior 神明之胄 [Haoliners Animation League] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy  The series takes place in ancient times, where people worship totems and several unique tribes exist. The highly respected Totem Warriors have utmost faith in their beliefs and protect their tribes. The protagonist, though not initially set to becomes a Totem Warrior, is eventually placed on that path. And thus, his adventure begins. Animation is decent, but best you can hope for here is episodic humor.   Overall Rating: 5/10   44. Noblesse: Pamyeol-ui Sijak NOBLESSE 파멸의 시작 [Studio Animal] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Adventure, Supernatural Humans live their lives driven by ambition and greed, prepared to kill their own kind with no hesitation. Since the beginning of humanity, wars have raged on throughout the human world, with the other races watching on. A victim of one war and orphaned, Ashleen was saved by the lord of the werewolves, Muzaka. Muzaka had abandoned his duties as lord and left the werewolf clan, travelling with Ashleen to secure her happiness. However, during his absence, members of Muzaka's species began orchestrating further wars on humans, disgusted by Muzaka's compassion. A secret and powerful organization established itself in the human realm, intending to manipulate Muzaka. When he is misinformed by the Union, Muzaka starts directing his rage toward the humans. Can his only friend, Cadis Etrama Di Raizel, the Noblesse, stop Muzuka's madness? Set 820 years before the events of Noblesse, Noblesse: Pamyeol-ui Sija depicts the tragic history of Muzaka, and how it led to the Noblesse's indefinite slumber. Just action advertisement of manhwa, hardly any dialogue at all.   Overall Rating: 6/10   45. Big Order ビッグオーダー [asread.] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Super Power Action The story centers on an introverted high school student named Eiji Hoshimiya with a huge secret—he wished for the destruction of the world when he was younger. Fairies give certain people special powers called Orders, and what Order Users can do with their power depends on their wishes. Ten years after the Great Destruction, Eiji struggles to come to terms with his immense power. A very hectic pilot episode that can't be evaluated highly just because it's only advertisement.   Overall Rating: 5/10   46. Magical Suite Prism Nana まじかるすいーとプリズム・ナナ [Shaft] (Finished 1/7) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Fantasy In a future not too distant from ours, Nanagoo City is a beautiful city in Japan surrounded by mountains and ocean-sides. The sensitive, adolescent girls who live there are each opening up doors to their own, unique possibilities. No one wants to forget the path they take to adulthood. Looks like it's partially translated or lost or smth, and the available episode is chaotic, though can't say it's interesting.   Overall Rating: 6/10   47. Shisha no Teikoku The Empire of Corpses 屍者の帝国 [Wit Studio] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical, Psychological Sci-Fi  By the 19th century, humanity has cultivated technology enabling the reanimation of corpses. Unable to experience individual thoughts or emotions, the corpses are programmed by humans to act as laborers in various occupations. This newfound technology, however, comes with a catch. Science may be able to restore the corpses' ability to move, yet it cannot return what every corpse loses at death: the soul. But Doctor Victor Frankenstein, who vanished shortly after his revolutionary work on corpse reanimation, is said to have revived the only corpse in possession of a soul. In pursuit of this scientific knowledge, London medical student John Watson hopes to fulfill his promise to his late partner, Friday. After being scouted by a government agency, Watson is on a hunt to obtain Frankenstein's notes, which he believes hold the key to the secrets of the soul. During his search, Watson uncovers the harsh realities of the developing corpse technology and the price he must pay to advance his research. Manually created zombies might sound like a curious idea for me unless the steampunkish 19th century setting. Needless gore and generally uninspiring story leave it out of enjoyment range.   Overall Rating: 6/10   48. Harmony <harmony/> ハーモニー [Studio 4°C] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adult Cast, Psychological Sci-Fi In 2019, following an uprising in the USA and a subsequent global nuclear war, humanity was decimated by a catastrophe called "The Maelström." A half-century after this cataclysmic event—to preserve humankind—the World Health Organization (WHO) has progressively assimilated worldwide political power and completely redefined society: people are now considered public resources and are guaranteed a happier life. The heightened development of medicine, nanomachine technology, and augmented reality promote this greater devotion to human health. Suffocated by the excessive kindness of Japanese society, high school student Miach Mihie decides to oppose the societal values she considers dehumanizing before the health implant surveillance system WatchMe activates itself the day she turns 18. Miach plans to kill herself with two of her friends, Tuan Kirie and Cian Reikadou. However, Cian betrays the pact in disagreement with Miach's intentions, allowing Tuan to survive her suicide attempt, unlike Miach, who is declared dead. Thirteen years later, now a high-ranking inspector of Helix—an organization affiliated with WHO to monitor military conflicts—Tuan is sent back to Japan after her drug smuggling activities in the Niger warzone are discovered by senior Helix inspector Oscar Stauffenberg. On her first day back to the country she tried running away from, thousands of people simultaneously commit suicide. Tuan is now in charge of investigating this wave of mass suicide and exposing the terrorist organization behind the unprecedented attack. Girls love dystopia might make a stand with decent plot, but instead it's weird maniac flick.   Overall Rating: 6/10   49. Ajin Part 1: Shoudou Ajin: Demi-Human Movie 1: Compel 亜人　第１部「衝動」 [Polygon Pictures] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Gore Action, Horror, Mystery, Supernatural For high schooler Kei—and for at least forty-six others—immortality comes as the nastiest surprise ever. Sadly for Kei, such a feat doesn't make him a superhero. In the eyes of both the general public and governments, he's a rare specimen who needs to be hunted down and handed over to scientists to be experimented on for life—a demi-human who must die a thousand deaths for the benefit of humanity. Just a big advertisement for the season.   Overall Rating: 6/10   50. Wake Up, Girls! Beyond the Bottom  [Ordet, Millepensee] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Drama Second movie sequel of Wake Up, Girls!. Nice finale on high note.   Overall Rating: 6/10   51. Alice in Dreamland アリス・イン・ドリームランド [Bitgang] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure, Avant Garde, Fantasy  Alice is summoned by the White Rabbit to save Wonderland from spreading Darkness. However, she knows Alice in Wonderland is a story and that this must be a dream. And so it proves, but at the end, the now grown-up Alice sees the events of her dream begin to unfold for real. Creepy experimental trash.   Overall Rating: 5/10   52. Sollo Talchul Gwi My Ghost Girlfriend 솔로탈출귀 [Korean Academy of Film Arts] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Romance, Supernatural  After serving his military duty, Jung-hoon, who has never had a girlfriend, returns to college. He has a secret crush on Eun-ji, a member of the school’s paranormal activity research club called Mysteria, in which he also belongs. One day, Jung-hoon meets Ji-sun, a virgin ghost, by chance, and Ji-sun asks him for help with her Scare tests, the exams that she needs to pass in order to be reborn. In return, Jung-hoon makes an arrangement with Ji-sun to help him score points with Eun-ji. While trying to help each other’s problems, the two run into disagreements, but their feelings for each other grow deeper as time passes. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10
  13. kivandopulus
    Koutetsujou no Kabaneri with all its flaws is the only worthy anime this season in my opinion.   1. Boku no Hero Academia My Hero Academia 僕のヒーローアカデミア [Bones] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Shounen School, Super Power Action The appearance of "quirks," newly discovered super powers, has been steadily increasing over the years, with 80 percent of humanity possessing various abilities from manipulation of elements to shapeshifting. This leaves the remainder of the world completely powerless, and Izuku Midoriya is one such individual. Since he was a child, the ambitious middle schooler has wanted nothing more than to be a hero. Izuku's unfair fate leaves him admiring heroes and taking notes on them whenever he can. But it seems that his persistence has borne some fruit: Izuku meets the number one hero and his personal idol, All Might. All Might's quirk is a unique ability that can be inherited, and he has chosen Izuku to be his successor! Enduring many months of grueling training, Izuku enrolls in UA High, a prestigious high school famous for its excellent hero training program, and this year's freshmen look especially promising. With his bizarre but talented classmates and the looming threat of a villainous organization, Izuku will soon learn what it really means to be a hero. Tried it, but it's a typical shounen, and there are better representatives even among shounens.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Re：ゼロから始める異世界生活  [White Fox] (Finished 5/25) Tags: Isekai, Psychological, Time Travel Drama, Fantasy, Suspense When Subaru Natsuki leaves the convenience store, the last thing he expects is to be wrenched from his everyday life and dropped into a fantasy world. Things are not looking good for the bewildered teenager; however, not long after his arrival, he is attacked by some thugs. Armed with only a bag of groceries and a now useless cell phone, he is quickly beaten to a pulp. Fortunately, a mysterious beauty named Satella, in hot pursuit after the one who stole her insignia, happens upon Subaru and saves him. In order to thank the honest and kindhearted girl, Subaru offers to help in her search, and later that night, he even finds the whereabouts of that which she seeks. But unbeknownst to them, a much darker force stalks the pair from the shadows, and just minutes after locating the insignia, Subaru and Satella are brutally murdered. However, Subaru immediately reawakens to a familiar scene—confronted by the same group of thugs, meeting Satella all over again—the enigma deepens as history inexplicably repeats itself. I'm shocked to see how this time loop fantasy shounen came to be second most popular this season. Protagonist is not bad, but definitely not great, but everything else here irritates me a lot as it's a lot of cheesed tropes organized without much direction.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Bungou Stray Dogs Bungo Stray Dogs 文豪ストレイドッグス [Bones] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Detective, Organized Crime, Super Power Action, Mystery, Supernatural For weeks, Atsushi Nakajima's orphanage has been plagued by a mystical tiger that only he seems to be unaware of. Suspected to be behind the strange incidents, the 18-year-old is abruptly kicked out of the orphanage and left hungry, homeless, and wandering through the city. While starving on a riverbank, Atsushi saves a rather eccentric man named Osamu Dazai from drowning. Whimsical suicide enthusiast and supernatural detective, Dazai has been investigating the same tiger that has been terrorizing the boy. Together with Dazai's partner Doppo Kunikida, they solve the mystery, but its resolution leaves Atsushi in a tight spot. As various odd events take place, Atsushi is coerced into joining their firm of supernatural investigators, taking on unusual cases the police cannot handle, alongside his numerous enigmatic co-workers. Mystery superpowers detective with classical Japanese literature writers as main characters is a horrible concept in my opinion, so I refuse to watch this mess past pilot episode.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Part 4: Diamond wa Kudakenai JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable ジョジョの奇妙な冒険 ダイヤモンドは砕けない [David Production] (Finished 1/39) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Supernatural  The year is 1999. Morioh, a normally quiet and peaceful town, has recently become a hotbed of strange activity. Joutarou Kuujou, now a marine biologist, heads to the mysterious town to meet Jousuke Higashikata. While the two may seem like strangers at first, Jousuke is actually the illegitimate child of Joutarou's grandfather, Joseph Joestar. When they meet, Joutarou realizes that he may have more in common with Jousuke than just a blood relation. Along with the mild-mannered Kouichi Hirose and the boisterous Okuyasu Nijimura, the group dedicates themselves to investigating recent disappearances and other suspicious occurrences within Morioh. Aided by the power of Stands, the four men will encounter danger at every street corner, as it is up to them to unravel the town's secrets, before another occurs. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Koutetsujou no Kabaneri Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress 甲鉄城のカバネリ [Wit Studio] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Gore, Historical, Survival Action, Fantasy, Horror, Suspense The world is in the midst of the industrial revolution when horrific creatures emerge from a mysterious virus, ripping through the flesh of humans to sate their never-ending appetite. The only way to kill these beings, known as "Kabane," is by destroying their steel-coated hearts. However, if bitten by one of these monsters, the victim is doomed to a fate worse than death, as the fallen rise once more to join the ranks of their fellow undead. Only the most fortified of civilizations have survived this turmoil, as is the case with the island of Hinomoto, where mankind has created a massive wall to protect themselves from the endless hordes of Kabane. The only way into these giant fortresses is via heavily-armored trains, which are serviced and built by young men such as Ikoma. Having created a deadly weapon that he believes will easily pierce through the hearts of Kabane, Ikoma eagerly awaits the day when he will be able to fight using his new invention. Little does he know, however, that his chance will come much sooner than he expected... It looks a lot like Attack on Titan both for plot and for realization as it's done by the same Studio. The beginning is great, but it starts running around the same circle of everyone suspecting protagonists of being zombies, but then protagonists save everyone again. It improves in the second half, and overall idea is good, so I deem it worthy borderline masterpiece status, but not more, alas.   Overall Rating: 7/10   6. Sakamoto desu ga? Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto 坂本ですが？ [Studio Deen] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen Gag Humor, School Comedy Sophisticated, suave, sublime; all words which describe the exceedingly handsome and patently perfect Sakamoto. Though it is only his first day in high school, his attractiveness, intelligence, and charm already has the girls swooning and the guys fuming with jealousy. No one seems able to derail him, as all attempts at tripping him up are quickly foiled. His sangfroid is indomitable, his wits peerless. Will any of Sakamoto's classmates, or even teachers, be able to reach his level of excellence? Probably not, but they just might learn a thing or two trying... First episode is the only decent one, then comedy becomes stale afterwards for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Kiznaiver キズナイーバー [Trigger] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi  Katsuhira Agata is a quiet and reserved teenage boy whose sense of pain has all but vanished. His friend, Chidori Takashiro, can only faintly remember the days before Katsuhira had undergone this profound change. Now, his muffled and complacent demeanor make Katsuhira a constant target for bullies, who exploit him for egregious sums of money. But their fists only just manage to make him blink, as even emotions are far from his grasp. However, one day Katsuhira, Chidori, and four other teenagers are abducted and forced to join the Kizuna System as official "Kiznaivers." Those taking part are connected through pain: if one member is injured, the others will feel an equal amount of agony. These individuals must become the lab rats and scapegoats of an incomplete system designed with world peace in mind. With their fates literally intertwined, the Kiznaivers must expose their true selves to each other, or risk failing much more than just the Kizuna System. I don't think I liked even a single Trigger anime as they are all surface-scratching and with characters empty on the inside. It's more about friendship and mutual dependency than anything else.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Netoge no Yome wa Onnanoko ja Nai to Omotta? And you thought there is never a girl online? ネトゲの嫁は女の子じゃないと思った？ [Project No.9] (Finished 12/12) Tags: School, Video Game Comedy, Romance, Ecchi After mustering up the courage to propose to a girl in an online game, naive otaku Hideki "Rusian" Nishimura is devastated when she flat-out rejects him. To make matters worse, the girl reveals that she is actually an older man in real life. With his dreams crushed and his heart broken, Rusian comes to an abrupt decision in the midst of his raging fit: he will never trust another girl in an online game again. Years later, Rusian is now in a guild with three other players, one of whom possesses a female avatar by the name of Ako. Ako is deeply in love with Rusian and wants to marry him. Although he entertains the possibility that she might be a guy, Rusian accepts her proposal, claiming that her gender does not matter as long as she is cute in-game. However, after a discussion between the guild members that led to all of them having an offline meeting, Rusian finds out that Ako, along with the other members, is not just a girl but also his schoolmate. There are a few nice features like guildmaster overusing premium items or guild wars, but overall nothing really interesting or enjoyable.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Sousei no Onmyouji Twin Star Exorcists 双星の陰陽師 [Pierrot] (Finished 3/50) Tags: Shounen Mythology Action, Fantasy, Romance Magano, a parallel realm filled with monsters known as "Kegare," is a place where exorcists deal with all impurities. Benio Adashino is a prodigy exorcist who is recognized for her strength and is summoned to Tokyo by the Exorcist Union. On her way, she plummets into the arms of Rokuro Enmadou, a young exorcist with a troubled past. But the impurities of Magano do not rest. When these two exorcists witness a couple of children stolen by a Kegare, Benio rushes to save them, dragging Rokuro along with her into Magano. Engaged in a fight she is on the verge of being defeated in, Benio is saved by Rokuro, revealing himself capable of being her rival in talent. Sousei no Onmyouji tells the story of two talented exorcists who are destined to become the "Twin Star Exorcists" and the prophesised parents of the Miko—the reincarnation of Abe no Seimei—who will cleanse the world of all impurities. All exorcist shows look more or less the same to me. Boring.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Magi: Sinbad no Bouken (TV) Magi: Adventure of Sinbad マギ シンドバッドの冒険 [Lay-duce] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Fantasy In the small, impoverished Tison Village of the Parthevia Empire, a boy, Sinbad, is born to the jaded ex-soldier Badr and his kind-hearted wife Esra. His birth creates a radiant surge throughout the rukh, a declaration of a singularity to those who stand at the pinnacle of magical might: the "Child of Destiny" is here. Despite his country being plagued by economic instability and the repercussions of war, Sinbad leads a cheerful life—until a stranger's arrival shatters his peaceful world, and tragedy soon befalls him. Years later, mysterious edifices called "dungeons" have been erected all over the world. Rumored to contain great power and treasures, these dungeons piqued the interest of adventurers and armies alike; though to this day, none have returned therefrom. Sinbad, now 14, has grown into a charming and talented young boy. Inspired by the shocking events of his childhood and by his father's words, he yearns to begin exploring the world beyond his village. As though orchestrated by fate, Sinbad meets an enigmatic traveler named Yunan. Stirred by Sinbad's story and ambitions, Yunan directs him to a dungeon which he claims holds the power Sinbad needs to achieve his goals—the "power of a king." Magi: Sinbad no Bouken tells the epic saga of Sinbad's early life as he travels the world, honing his skill and influence, while gathering allies and power to become the High King of the Seven Seas. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   11. Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge Tanaka-kun is Always Listless 田中くんはいつもけだるげ [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Iyashikei, School Slice of Life For high school student Tanaka, the act of being listless is a way of life. Known for his inattentiveness and ability to fall asleep anywhere, Tanaka prays that each day will be as uneventful as the last, seeking to preserve his lazy lifestyle however he can by avoiding situations that require him to exert himself. Along with his dependable friend Oota who helps him with tasks he is unable to accomplish, the lethargic teenager constantly deals with events that prevent him from experiencing the quiet and peaceful days he longs for. Slow paced bland SOL with too rare moments that stand out.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Gakusen Toshi Asterisk 2nd Season The Asterisk War Season 2 学戦都市アスタリスク [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, School Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi, Ecchi Gakusen Toshi Asterisk 2nd Season continues the story of Genestella students Ayato Amagiri and Julis-Alexia von Riessfeld, who have progressed to the next round of the Phoenix Festa after a long and strenuous battle with sisters Irene and Priscilla Urzaiz. Despite Julis and Ayato's best attempts, the fact that Ayato's powers have been sealed is no longer a secret. Now at a major disadvantage, the duo must come up with a plan if they are to have any hope of winning the Phoenix Festa. Only one thing is for sure: the troubles heading their way are only going to get more insurmountable from here on. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Hundred ハンドレッド [Production IMS] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem, School Action, Romance, Sci-Fi, Ecchi When an extraterrestrial organism known as "Savage" attacks mankind, the only technology capable of combating the enemy is a weapon known as “Hundred.” A survivor of a Savage attack, Hayato Kisaragi is a teenager boasting the highest compatibility level with the aforementioned technology and as a result, is invited to master his skills at Little Garden, a prestigious military academy aboard a battleship. Over the course of his intense training for the battle ahead, he immediately attracts the interest of multiple female peers and gets drawn into a number of incidents as he tries to fight against the creatures that now inhabit Earth and threaten its safety. A very common plot starting with duels at some military academy and going on as opposing invasion. Don't see any distinctive features here.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Flying Witch ふらいんぐうぃっち [J.C.Staff] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Shounen Iyashikei Slice of Life, Supernatural In the witches' tradition, when a practitioner turns 15, they must become independent and leave their home to study witchcraft. Makoto Kowata is one such apprentice witch who leaves her parents' home in Yokohama in pursuit of knowledge and training. Along with her companion Chito, a black cat familiar, they embark on a journey to Aomori, a region favored by witches due to its abundance of nature and affinity with magic. They begin their new life by living with Makoto's second cousins, Kei Kuramoto and his little sister Chinatsu. While Makoto may seem to be attending high school like any other teenager, her whimsical and eccentric involvement with witchcraft sets her apart from others her age. From her encounter with an anthropomorphic dog fortune teller to the peculiar magic training she receives from her older sister Akane, Makoto's peaceful everyday life is filled with the idiosyncrasies of witchcraft that she shares with her friends and family. Super boring SOL that does not want to give anything - not funny, not interesting, without great characters.   Overall Rating: 0/10   15. Big Order (TV) ビッグオーダー [asread.] (Finished 3/10) Tags: Shounen Super Power Action Ten years ago, a fairy by the name of Daisy appeared and asked the child Eiji Hoshimiya what his one and only wish was. Although his wish remains a mystery, the consequences were catastrophic. In an event called the "Great Destruction," the world started to fall apart as everything collapsed and countless people died. Now, Eiji is a high school student whose only concern is his sick sister. He does not remember what he wished for; all that he remembers is that his wish caused the Great Destruction. In the years since that event, thousands of other people have also received abilities to make their heart's desire come true. These people called "Orders" are believed to be evil and are hated by the general public. However, some of these Orders are after Eiji's life in vengeance for those that he killed. Will Eiji be able to survive the numerous assassination attempts? And the biggest mystery of all: what did he wish for, and what were his intentions in wishing for something that caused so much desolation? OVA was a big mess, so I wanted to make impression by the series... and it's also a huge mess not worth even discussing it.   Overall Rating: 5/10   16. Mayoiga The Lost Village 迷家-マヨイガ- [Diomedéa] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Psychological, Survival Drama, Horror, Mystery A bus full of eccentric individuals is headed towards the urban legend known as Nanaki Village, a place where one can supposedly start over and live a perfect life. While many have different ideas of why the village cannot be found on any map, or why even the police cannot pinpoint its location, they each look forward to their new lives and just what awaits them once they reach their destination. After a few mishaps, they successfully arrive at Nanaki Village only to find it completely abandoned. Judging from the state of disrepair, it has been vacant for at least a year. However, secrets are soon revealed as some of the group begin to go missing while exploring the village and amidst the confusion, they find bloody claw marks in a forest. As mistrust and in-fighting break out, will they ever be able to figure out the truth behind this lost village? I remember dropping it midway because of the genre and useless constantly fighting characters. But nothing good can really come of it.    Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Joker Game ジョーカー・ゲーム [Production I.G] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Historical, Military Drama, Mystery, Suspense With World War II right around the corner, intelligence on other countries' social and economic situation has become a valuable asset. As a result, Japan has established a new spy organization known as the "D Agency" to obtain this weapon. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Yuuki, eight agents have been assigned to infiltrate and observe some of the most powerful countries, reporting on any developments associated with the war. In order to carry out these dangerous tasks, these men have trained their bodies to survive in extreme conditions and studied numerous fields such as communications and languages. However, their greatest strength lies in their ability to manipulate people in order to obtain the information necessary to give their nation the upper hand. Taisho era spy mystery is of very little interest to me, so can't really enjoy it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Uchuu Patrol Luluco Space Patrol Luluco 宇宙パトロールルル子 [Trigger] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Space Action, Adventure, Comedy Living an abnormal existence in Ogikubo, an intergalactic melting pot of humans and aliens as well as the only Space Immigration Zone on Earth, Luluco is a bubbly middle school girl who just wants to be normal. One morning, however, her father, who works at the Space Patrol, eats a volatile sleep capsule by mistake and is frozen solid! To make matters worse, Luluco accidentally breaks him, so she hurries off to his office for help. There, the chief of the Space Patrol, Over Justice, hires Luluco as a space temp worker for undercover investigations, so that the institution may crack down on crime within her school. Made to don the Space Patrol suit and sent on her way to mete out justice, Luluco attempts to maintain the image of a normal girl who does not stand out in any way. But she soon discovers that with the automatic systems and inherently zealous judiciousness of the Space Patrol suit, continuing to be normal will be more difficult than she thought. Parody with only only 7-minute episodes, and I'm not fan of nonsense.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Kuromukuro クロムクロ [P.A. Works] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Mecha Action, Sci-Fi During the dawn of the 21st century, the United Nations Kurobe Research Institute was established in Japan to investigate an ancient artifact, which was discovered during the construction of the Kurobe Dam. Scientists from around the world have gathered in the facility to study the object, while their children enjoy their everyday lives attending Mt. Tate International Senior High School. Yukina Shirahane, a reserved high school girl, is the daughter of the facility's head scientist. While visiting her mother at the facility, Yukina manages to solve part of the artifact's puzzle. To her surprise, what appears before her is Kennosuke Tokisada Ouma, a young samurai from the Sengoku era. As a threat approaches from outer space, Yukina, along with Kennosuke, finds herself defending Earth against the invading forces. Along the way, she discovers the mystery behind Kennosuke and the reason he is determined to protect her. Finally a watchable P.A.Works anime again, but can't call it great as characters aren't particularly interesting and traditional P.A.Works interactions make it rather boring.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Gyakuten Saiban: Sono "Shinjitsu", Igi Ari! Ace Attorney 逆転裁判 ～その「真実」、異議あり！～ [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Detective, Workplace Comedy, Drama, Mystery  Since he was a child, Ryuuichi Naruhodou's dream was to become a defense attorney, protecting the innocent when no one else would. However, when the rookie lawyer finally takes on his first case under the guidance of his mentor Chihiro Ayasato, he realizes that the courtroom is a battlefield. In these fast paced trials, Ryuuichi is forced to think outside the box to uncover the truth of the crimes that have taken place in order to prove the innocence of his clients. Gyakuten Saiban: Sono "Shinjitsu", Igi Ari! follows Ryuuichi as he tackles cases to absolve the falsely accused of the charges they face. It will not be easy—standing in his path is the ruthless Reiji Mitsurugi, a prosecutor who will stop at nothing to hand out guilty verdicts. With his back against the wall, the defense attorney must carefully examine both evidence and witness testimony, sifting through lies to solve the mystery behind each case. With a shout of "objection!," the battle in the courtroom begins! Can't stand this series as well as detective mysteries.   Overall Rating: 5/10   21. Ushio to Tora (TV) 2nd Season Ushio & Tora (2016) うしおととら [MAPPA, Studio VOLN] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shounen Mythology Action, Adventure, Supernatural Continuation of Ushio to Tora TV series. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. High School Fleet ハイスクール・フリート [Production IMS] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Military, School Action A hundred years after catastrophic shifts in tectonic plates caused most of its area to submerge, Japan now thrives as a maritime nation. High functioning cities line the coasts of Japan, and well developed sea routes are defended by specialized naval ships. The marine industry is flourishing, and young girls are eager to join the Blue Mermaids—highly skilled women who devote their lives to protecting the seas. After some time apart, childhood friends Akeno Misaki and Moeka China are reunited at Yokosuka Girls' Marine High School. Here they are joined by others who share their dream of becoming Blue Mermaids. Soon, training exercises commence, with Akeno and Moeka being put in charge of their own ships and crew. Everything is progressing smoothly for Akeno as she settles into her role as captain and builds camaraderie between her fellow crew members aboard the Harekaze, a destroyer ship. However, unexpected engine and navigation failures soon leave their ship stranded and the crew in danger. High School Fleet follows the Harekaze's valiant crew as they navigate treacherous waters and other obstacles on their quest to become fully fledged Blue Mermaids. Convenient navy high school girl story is pretty cringy, even more so than Girls und Panzer. There's some cuteness and humor, but there's a good question who would want to watch it .   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Seisen Cerberus: Ryuukoku no Fatalités Cerberus 聖戦ケルベロス　竜刻のファタリテ [Bridge] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy  Maintaining a delicate balance of power, the kingdoms of Amoria, Ishilfen, and Vanrodis rule over the continent of Kuna'anh. Even the slightest hint of trouble in one country could spark a continent-wide war. However, their one common fear is the evil dragon Daganzord, whose only meaning of existence is to devour and destroy all life. Ten years ago, a group of mages worked together in an effort to seal away the malevolent beast. But the ritual—later known as the "Balbagoa Tragedy"—was a failure, and many lost their lives. Though his parents died in this tragedy, Hiiro was saved by the swordsman Giruu. Under the latter's tutelage, Hiiro learned swordsmanship with the sole purpose of seeking revenge. Now a budding master himself, he sets out in search of Daganzord in order to realize his long-awaited vengeance, or to be consumed by the dragon and meet the same fate as his parents. Mediocre fantasy that's watchable, but that never becomes good to watch. Plus, pet micro dragon is super irritating.   Overall Rating: 5/10   24. Terra Formars: Revenge テラフォーマーズ リベンジ [TYO Animations, LIDENFILMS] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Seinen Gore, Space, Survival Action, Horror, Sci-Fi In Terra Formars Revenge, the crew members of the Annex I continue to fight against Terraformars—the large humanoid cockroaches that evolved from the ones sent to Mars centuries ago. However, far from discovering the cure for the lethal Alien Engine Virus that has been plaguing Earth, the Annex I team have learned that some squadrons have agendas from their own countries. Now, the squadrons must not only fight against the Terraformars for their survival, but also each other in the never-ending battle for international dominance. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Shounen Maid Shonen Maid 少年メイド [8bit] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shoujo Iyashikei Slice of Life After the sudden death of his mother, elementary school student Chihiro Komiya is left with no home and no family. But this changes when he encounters a rich and frivolous stranger who turns out to be his long-lost uncle, Madoka Takatori. Madoka offers to take Chihiro in, but upon arriving at his uncle's high-class mansion, the young boy is greeted by a plethora of dust and garbage. As Chihiro's neatfreak instincts kick in, he sets about cleaning the entire residence. Shounen Maid is a lighthearted comedy that follows Chihiro as he finds himself dressed in a frilly uniform (handmade by his uncle), receiving a salary, and working as maid of the house. Not going to watch a trap anime, does not look any special by the pilot episode.   Overall Rating: 5/10   26. Anne Happy♪ Anne-Happy あんハピ♪ [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: CGDCT, School Slice of Life  Tennomifune Academy is an elite institution for the best and the brightest, with the exception of Class 1-7, the so-called "Happiness Class." Each member of the classroom copes with personal misfortunes, and the special class is geared to help them move past their issues and find true happiness. After being accepted into the academy, An Hanakoizumi, Ruri Hibarigaoka, and Botan Kumegawa find themselves placed into the Happiness Class, plagued by dreadful luck, love problems, and bad health respectively. Alongside their classmates, they do their best to overcome the difficulties they are faced with in pursuit of a life filled with joy. Naïve and banal CGDCT.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Macross Δ Macross Delta マクロスΔ（デルタ） [Satelight] (Finished 3/26) Tags: Mecha, Military, Music, Space Action, Romance, Sci-Fi Eight years after the events of Macross F, a mysterious phenomenon known as the Var Syndrome is gradually consuming the galaxy. It's up to a new generation of highly capable Valkyrie pilots to deal with this universal menace. And if they didn't have enough on their plate already, the Aerial Knights Valkyrie fighter team from the Kingdom of Wind have come to challenge the Delta Squadron. I'm really tired of Macross concept with spontaneous songs in any situation at all, can't treat it seriously.   Overall Rating: 5/10   28. Kuma Miko Kumamiko: Girl Meets Bear くまみこ [Kinema Citrus, EMT Squared] (Finished 8/12) Tags: Seinen Comedy, Slice of Life What does a bear know about life in the big city? For Machi Amayadori's sake, hopefully a lot! The young shrine maiden has spent her whole life in the rural mountains with Natsu, her talking guardian bear. Now, at fourteen, she wants to take a chance and attend high school in the big city. Can Natsu really prepare her for city life? Or will his wacky trials be too much for even Machi to bear? Not bad SOL comedy with rather small amount of nonsense, but not without flaws, so just above average.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Endride エンドライド [Brain's Base, Lapin Track] (Finished 3/24) Tags: Isekai Adventure, Fantasy  Shun Asanaga is a 15-year-old junior high school student with an optimistic and bright personality. One day, he finds a mysterious crystal in the office of his father, who is a scientist and businessman. When Shun touches it, the world becomes distorted, and he is sent into the world of Endra. Emilio, a prince of the kingdom of Endra, is nearing his 16th birthday and despises the reigning king, Delzain. Since Emilio is now at the age when he can inherit the throne, he takes up a weapon and attempts revenge. However, because Emilio is too weak, he is captured by Delzain and put in prison. When Emilio is in grief, the wall of his cell becomes distorted and Shun appears from there with two goals: return to his own world, and complete Emilio's revenge. What future lies ahead for the two boys trying to survive in Endra, yet raised in two different worlds? Very plain isekai full of banalities and with irritating protagonist.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Bakuon!! ばくおん!! [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen CGDCT, School Slice of Life Every day Hane Sakura makes the arduous trip to school, cycling up a large hill on her bicycle. After encountering the motorcycle enthusiast Onsa Amano one morning, she is introduced to the motorcycle club, led by the ever-silent Raimu Kawasaki. New to motorcycles, Sakura experiences firsthand the difficulty of learning to ride again. However, through this, she hopes to once again recreate her first biking experience, which was filled with both horror and exhilaration. Alongside Baita, the talking motorcycle; Rin Suzunoki, a Suzuki model enthusiast; Hijiri Minowa, a wealthy girl who dreams of being a thug; and professional racer Chisame Nakano, Sakura strives toward getting her bike license and experiencing the joys and hardships of motorcycles. Another thematic CGDCT, but racing is alien to me, and characters aren't particularly keen.   Overall Rating: 6/10   31. Sansha Sanyou Three Leaves, Three Colors 三者三葉 [Doga Kobo] (Finished 1/12) Tags: CGDCT, School Comedy, Slice of Life Having gone from pampered to poor after the bankruptcy of her father's company, Youko Nishikawa struggles to drop her princess-like persona and make friends at her all-girls high school. One day, while eating alone in a nearby forest, she has a chance encounter with Futaba Odagiri, the super-energetic transfer student, and Teru Hayama, an innocent-looking girl with a surprisingly direct and sometimes mean personality. Despite their differing personalities, the three girls who all have the kanji for "leaf" in their name begin an unlikely friendship as they try to navigate through an amusing and spontaneous adventure known as high school life. Sansha Sanyou is a cheerful, cute series revolving around three close but very different friends as they try to balance the everyday challenges that school and adolescence have to offer. Nothing deep, as expected. Just talk, even no good comedy.   Overall Rating: 6/10   32. Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Crystal Season III Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal Season III 美少女戦士セーラームーンCrystal　第３期＜デス・バスターズ編＞ [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shoujo Mahou Shoujo, Mythology Fantasy, Romance Usagi Tsukino is still struggling to balance her home life with the duties of being Sailor Moon, the guardian of love and justice. Along with the other Sailor Guardians and her boyfriend Mamoru Chiba, they begin investigating cases of students from Mugen Academy, a school for the most elite students, who are being transformed into monsters. During the investigation, they meet three strange individuals: Haruka Tenou, a handsome racecar driver; Michiru Kaiou, a talented violinist; and Hotaru Tomoe, a mysterious girl with a weak constitution. As more incidents occur, the Sailor Guardians are met with another surprise—the appearance of two new planetary protectors with motives of their own. Despite the newcomers' questionable allegiance to Usagi and her comrades, they all face a threat from a common enemy: an evil entity who calls himself Pharaoh 90. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   33. Concrete Revolutio: Choujin Gensou - The Last Song コンクリート・レボルティオ～超人幻想～THE LAST SONG [Bones] (Finished 1/11) Tags: Mythology, Super Power Action, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi Titans from outer space, life forms from a mystical world, phantoms and goblins from ancient times, cyborgs created by scientists, relics that rose out of the ruins of ancient civilizations. In another Japan, it's not just a question of "what if"—it's a reality. Some of the superhumans choose to keep their identities a secret, while others bask in their superhuman fame. Jiro Hitoyoshi, member of the Superhuman Bureau, keeps track of their doings. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   34. Kyoukai no Rinne 2nd Season RIN-NE Season 2 境界のRINNE [Brain's Base] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shounen School Comedy, Supernatural High school student Sakura Mamiya and impoverished death god Rinne Rokudou continue to confront the supernatural. Pulled into the problems of their quirky acquaintances, the pair again find themselves immersed in trouble. Ageha's black cat Oboro seeks revenge for alleged mistreatment and demands Ageha to nullify their contract. When she refuses to do so, a bitter quarrel breaks out between them. Meanwhile, the scheming Damashigami Company shows no sign of halting its wrongdoings, and the bat-like demon Masato continues to commit devious acts to pursue his long-awaited revenge on Rinne. For Sakura and Rinne, these paranormal complications never seem to end. As their saga continues to unfold, they must cope with these unusual circumstances as they appear, all while facing problems of their own. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   35. 12-sai.: Chicchana Mune no Tokimeki 12歳。～ちっちゃなムネのトキメキ～ [OLM] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shoujo School Romance Reaching a period of life where they are neither a child nor an adult, 12-year-old Hanabi Ayase and Aoi Yui meet with life-changing events. Due to the mischievous demeanor of her male classmates, Ayase does not think highly of the opposite sex. However, her perspective begins to change after she is paired with the kind-hearted Takao Yuuto for a class assignment and unexpectedly shared their first kisses with each other on the school rooftop. With her best friend discovering love, Aoi yearns to seek her own. She finds herself falling in love with the rash Kazuma Hiyama after protecting her from a rejected suitor who had talked behind her back. 12-sai.: Chicchana Mune no Tokimeki follows the four in this phase of adolescence. As they grow up alongside each other, this sweet romance depicts the innocence and excitement of first love. Normal elementary school shoujo just can't be interesting for me, but there is some ok humor, so it's not bad.   Overall Rating: 6/10   36. Kidou Senshi Gundam Unicorn RE:0096 Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096 機動戦士ガンダムUC（ユニコーン）RE:0096 [Sunrise] (Finished 1/22) Tags: Mecha, Military, Space Action, Drama, Sci-Fi By the year 0096 of the Universal Century, a fragile peace emerges from the ashes of conflict. Sixteen-year-old student Banagher Links visits the Industrial 7 space colony on a school field trip, but because of a broken shuttle, he is left completely stranded. To Banagher, who has always lived a normal life, war had always been a distant, almost mythical part of history; but within minutes, fantasy becomes reality when he rescues a girl named Audrey Burne, who urgently needs to meet with the leader of the nearby Vist Foundation, Cardeas Vist. She hopes to persuade him to withhold the "Laplace's Box," an object that holds the potential to destroy the world. History is set in motion as galactic forces converge on Industrial 7, each vying for possession of the Laplace's Box. As Neo Zeon remnants clash with Earth Federation Forces around the colony, Cardeas, in his final moments, gives Banagher the key to the Box, a mobile suit dubbed "The Unicorn Gundam." Packed with explosive action and rising tension, Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096 follows Banagher as his conviction is tested and the destiny that has laid dormant for more than a century is finally realized. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   37. Aikatsu Stars! アイカツスターズ！ [Bandai Namco Pictures] (Finished 1/100) Tags:  Idols (Female), Music, School Slice of Life Yume Nijino has been accepted into Four Stars academy, home of the beautiful and talented S4 idol group. She and the other newcomers are determined to discover their talent, with a choice of specializing in beauty, singing, dancing, or drama. A tough road lies ahead of them, and they must rely on each other to overcome their weaknesses and develop their unique strengths. At the first-years' opening performances, Yume performs stellarly but faints and is unable to remember being on stage at all. Struggling to find her talent, she meets Rola "Laura" Sakuraba, and the two develop a friendly rivalry, working together to learn and improve. Though they have their differences, all the students share the same goal: to become the next S4 idol. But hard work and determination, along with teamwork, are needed if they want to join the elite S4. I'm not target audience to enjoy CGI dances and frilly dresses, so indifference is all I feel towards it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   38. Tonkatsu DJ Agetarou とんかつDJアゲ太郎 [Studio Deen] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Shounen Music Comedy Tonkatsu chef by day, professional DJ by night—this is the aspiration of Agetarou Katsumata, whose family owns a small tonkatsu shop in Shibuya. One night, Agetarou delivers an order to a staff member at a nightclub and gets invited inside as a token of thanks. Although nervous at first, he soon finds himself absorbed by the atmosphere, falling in love with the dancing girls, flashing lights, and groovy music. Agetarou starts visiting the club regularly until a certain night leads him to a chance encounter with a legendary American DJ: Big Master Fly. Putting on a spectacular show, the DJ sparks an epiphany in Agetarou—the groove of mixing music appears to be strikingly similar to the rhythm of preparing tonkatsu. Thenceforth Agetarou sets his sights on becoming a master of both disciplines. With the help of his neighborhood friends and his mentor DJ Oily, Agetarou pursues his dream all the while dealing with familial problems, love issues, and many other kinds of trouble. Tonkatsu DJ Agetarou is a hilarious tale about an impulsive young boy trying to find his own path in life, while still fulfilling his familial and social responsibilities. It's deliberately ugly and crude. I don't buy the concept that DJ is like a cook... and don't see anything to enjoy here, really as humor is not to my liking for sure.   Overall Rating: 5/10   39. Cardfight!! Vanguard G: Stride Gate-hen Cardfight!! Vanguard G Stride Gate カードファイト!! ヴァンガードG ストライドゲート編 [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Strategy Game Action The second half of the second season of Cardfight!! Vanguard G series. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   40. Shounen Ashibe: Go! Go! Goma-chan 少年アシベ GO！GO！ゴマちゃん [Bridge, Husio Studio] (Finished 1/32) Tags: Seinen Comedy, Slice of Life Shounen Ashibe follows the daily life of first-grader Ashibe Ashiya and his spotted seal pet Goma-chan. Remake.   Overall Rating: 6/10   41. Future Card Buddyfight Triple D フューチャーカード バディファイトDDD [Xebec, OLM] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Strategy Game  Third season of Future Card Buddyfight. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   42. Battle Spirits: Double Drive バトルスピリッツ ダブルドライブ [Bandai Namco Pictures] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Strategy Game Fantasy Shunta Mogami loves the Battle Spirits game. One day he is transported by a light from a Battle Spirits card to Spirits World, the origin of all Battle Spirits. He meets a girl named Eto, who claims to have summoned him to Spirits World in order to prevent its destruction at the hands of the revived Evil God-King, who once plotted the destruction of Spirits World before being defeated and sealed away. Together with the confident, green-deck-wielding Yoku Albatrosa, who also came from another world, Shunta sets out to find the twelve God-Kings whose power originally sealed the Evil God-King. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   43. Ji Jia Shou Shen: Baolie Feiche Screechers Wild!  机甲兽神之爆裂飞车 [Alpha Animation] (Finished 1/40) Tags: Racing Action, Adventure Bang! One day, the Universe exploded! The explosion produced a number of light crystals which scattered in the Earth and became energy coins. Some energy life entities also came to the Earth and existed as mini cars to chase light crystals. Once those mini cars grasped light crystals, they would return to their original forms. A group of evil attempted to plot against the Earth with the super power of light crystals. To protect the Earth, the righteous kids Hawley, Kinson and Yolan help the mini cars of the justice side to collect energy coins. Armed with Eagle Car and Dragon Car, the two brothers are ready to fight against the Commander-K leaded evil force. The war is on… Chinese shounen for youngest kids.   Overall Rating: 5/10   44. Zhen Hun Jie Rakshasa Street 镇魂街 [L²Studio] (Finished 2/24) Tags: Action, Supernatural Based on the Chinese manhua. Requiem Street, where evil spirits are attracted to in order to destroy them. A place where spirits and humans co-exist, not all humans can enter Requiem Street. Only those rare-soul users with guardian spirits can enter. Xia Ling was just a normal university intern, but a meeting by chance changes her ordinary life... In this world full of evil spirits, can you cooperate with your guardian spirit in order to survive? It has so many borrowings from Fullmetal Alchemist that it's almost plagiary, but it it probably just  copies traits of many fighting shounens. Rather simple and with focus on visuals and battles.    Overall Rating: 6/10   45. Jie Mo Ren The Devil Ring 戒魔人 [Tencent Animation & Comics, Qiying Animation] (Finished 1/14) Tags: Action, Fantasy, Mystery, Supernatural  When Freshman Zhou Xiaoan put on a ring of unclear origin, a terrifying devil leaps from his mouth and his life is changed forever. Shocking historical secrets are slowly revealed - a Blood Devil calling itself King Zhou of Shang, a race of heart-eating zombies; a dubious group of Taoist Priests that fight against them; mysterious beings of the supernatural world who can blend in to human society. It feels totally like previous silly Chinese ONA - situational silly humor, focus on supposed coolness and incoherent narration.   Overall Rating: 5/10   46. Nuwa Chengzhang Riji 女娲成长日记 [B.CMAY PICTURES] (Finished 3/30) Tags: Comedy, Fantasy This story follows an orphan girl rumoured to be a successor of "Nuwa", the goddess of creation in ancient Chinese mythology. Partially translated. Short unserious episodes with episodic humor, hard to recommend, really.   Overall Rating: 6/10   47. Masamune Datenicle 政宗ダテニクル [Gainax, Gaina] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Historical, Samurai, Super Power Action The coming-of-age battle story will center on the famous 17th-century Japanese warlord Date Masamune when he was young. The Date clan took its name from the Date region of the former Mutsu province, which comprises part of the modern-day city of Date. The anime will be the first in the city's "Kirari na Wonder Project" (Twinkling Wonder Project), which aims to highlight tourist attractions and the appeal of the region. Gainax's newly founded Fukushima studio will work on the anime, and will complete it at the end of March. The anime will have a private screening in April and will also screen in anime events and be posted online. Huge lump of nonsense with poor singing.   Overall Rating: 5/10   48. Ma Shen Mahjong King 麻神 [Thundray] (Finished 2/16) Tags: Strategy Game Drama Mahjong holds a major influence over the world. Mahjong masters are highly respected, and these players compete to become the leading player: the Mahjong King! Players from across the world come together to duel one another. Not translated. Guess Chinese need their own Kaiji.   Overall Rating: 5/10   49. Hen Xi You 狠西游 [Vasoon Animation] (Finished 3/20) Tags: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural  A modern day high school student is accidentally possessed by the spirit of the ancient Monkey King. Not translated. Full CGI. Normal shounen with superpowers.   Overall Rating: 6/10   50. Zutto Mae kara Suki deshita. Kokuhaku Jikkou Iinkai I've Always Liked You ずっと前から好きでした。～告白実行委員会～ [Qualia Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: School Romance Love is blooming at Sakuragaoka High School. Natsuki Enomoto has finally mustered the courage to confess to her childhood friend, Yuu Setoguchi. However, in the final moments of her confession, an embarrassed Natsuki passes it off as a "practice confession." Oblivious to her true feelings and struggling with his own, Yuu promises to support Natsuki in her quest for love. While Natsuki deals with her failed confession, fellow classmate Koyuki Ayase struggles with his own feelings for Natsuki. Despite his timidness, he is determined to win over her heart. Zutto Mae Kara Suki deshita.: Kokuhaku Jikkou Iinkai follows Natsuki as she dreams of one day ending her practices and genuinely confessing to Yuu. Meanwhile, close friends also find themselves entangled in their own webs of unrequited love and unspoken affections. Naïve school romance. Definitely not among the best representatives of the genre.   Overall Rating: 6/10   51. Kidou Senshi Gundam Thunderbolt: December Sky Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt: December Sky 機動戦士ガンダム サンダーボルト DECEMBER SKY [Sunrise] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mecha, Military, Space Action, Drama, Sci-Fi Federation troops and Zeon forces carry out a fierce battle in the Thunderbolt Sector in what was once Side 4 "Moore." The Thunderbolt Sector is a shoal zone composed of the debris of destroyed space colonies, named for the electrical discharges from the metal debris. MS pilot Io Flemming is among the Federation soldiers who are dispatched to the area, where Zeon sniper Daryl Lorenz awaits them on the battlefield. Throw in one disabled sniper, lots of silly jazz and one battle, and what we get is ... same irritating stuff as usual - all the looks and no substance.   Overall Rating: 6/10   52. Crayon Shin-chan Movie 24: Bakusui! Yumemi World Dai Totsugeki 映画クレヨンしんちゃん 爆睡! ユメミーワールド大突撃 [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Comedy A story set in the dream world, depicting the Kasukabe Defense Forces and the Nohara Family fighting against a nightmare trouble. One day the people in Kasukabe come to be able to have dreams they want in their sleep, after having a strange dream in which a giant fish swallows them. The people enjoy having their own distinctive dream in the dream world, but the world gradually changes into a nightmare world. Shinnosuke Nohara and Kasukabe Defense Forces members let Saki Nubatama, a girl who moves in Kasukabe, join the group, and they go into the dream world to explore the cause of the nightmare. It's back on the conspiracy organization track which I don't approve.   Overall Rating: 5/10   53. Naze Ikiru: Rennyo Shounin to Yoshizaki Enjou なぜ生きる─蓮如上人と吉崎炎上─ [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical  Ryouken, a young man who hates temples and monks, laments his misfortunes but finds hope in his soon-to-be-born child. An unfortunate accident took everything from Ryouken. In the days of self-abandonment and suffering in darkness, Ryouken finds the teachings of the high priest Rennyo. In it, he finds answers to the question "Why live" as explained by the sage Shinran. As he is drawn into the teachings and no longer hesitates, Ryouken becomes Rennyo's apprentice. The number of worshippers increase, but the Honganji temple becomes a target of the other sects, forcing Ryouken and Rennyo to flee from Kyoto. In order to find a new place to teach, they arrive in Yoshizaki (now in Fukui Prefecture) in the Hokuriku region. Mundane Buddhist story, nothing to see here.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  14. kivandopulus
    Koi wa Ameagari no You ni is the only firm masterpiece I discovered this season. Other works of note  are Overlord II , Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san , Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyousoukyoku and  Grancrest Senki .   1. Violet Evergarden ヴァイオレット・エヴァーガーデン  [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Drama, Fantasy  The Great War finally came to an end after four long years of conflict; fractured in two, the continent of Telesis slowly began to flourish once again. Caught up in the bloodshed was Violet Evergarden, a young girl raised for the sole purpose of decimating enemy lines. Hospitalized and maimed in a bloody skirmish during the War's final leg, she was left with only words from the person she held dearest, but with no understanding of their meaning. Recovering from her wounds, Violet starts a new life working at CH Postal Services after a falling out with her new intended guardian family. There, she witnesses by pure chance the work of an "Auto Memory Doll," amanuenses that transcribe people's thoughts and feelings into words on paper. Moved by the notion, Violet begins work as an Auto Memory Doll, a trade that will take her on an adventure, one that will reshape the lives of her clients and hopefully lead to self-discovery. Can't stand pastoral anime like Emma: A Victorian Romance, but what we have here is a mix with Saekano just to add emotions and empathy, so can tolerate if for a few episodes. And it's still closer to Emma with all the sulking and bore. With no story and no developed characters actually doing something it remains very plain.   Overall Rating: 5/10   2. Darling in the FranXX ダーリン・イン・ザ・フランキス [A-1 Pictures, Trigger, CloverWorks] (Finished 3/24) Tags: Mecha Action, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi In the distant future, humanity has been driven to near-extinction by giant beasts known as Klaxosaurs, forcing the surviving humans to take refuge in massive fortress cities called Plantations. Children raised here are trained to pilot giant mechas known as FranXX—the only weapons known to be effective against the Klaxosaurs—in boy-girl pairs. Bred for the sole purpose of piloting these machines, these children know nothing of the outside world and are only able to prove their existence by defending their race. Hiro, an aspiring FranXX pilot, has lost his motivation and self-confidence after failing an aptitude test. Skipping out on his class' graduation ceremony, Hiro retreats to a forest lake, where he encounters a mysterious girl with two horns growing out of her head. She introduces herself by her codename Zero Two, which is known to belong to an infamous FranXX pilot known as the "Partner Killer." Before Hiro can digest the encounter, the Plantation is rocked by a sudden Klaxosaur attack. Zero Two engages the creature in her FranXX, but it is heavily damaged in the skirmish and crashes near Hiro. Finding her partner dead, Zero Two invites Hiro to pilot the mecha with her, and the duo easily defeats the Klaxosaur in the ensuing fight. With a new partner by his side, Hiro has been given a chance at redemption for his past failures, but at what cost? EVA imitation that tries to utilize best practices and appeal to wide audience. I don't see anything special in it and can't say I like anything here, so three episodes is as far as I'm willing to go.   Overall Rating: 5/10   3. Nanatsu no Taizai: Imashime no Fukkatsu The Seven Deadly Sins: Revival of the Commandments 七つの大罪 戒めの復活 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Fantasy The fierce battle between Meliodas, the captain of the Seven Deadly Sins, and the Great Holy Knight Hendrickson has devastating consequences. Armed with the fragments necessary for the revival of the Demon Clan, Hendrickson breaks the seal, allowing the Commandments to escape, all of whom are mighty warriors working directly under the Demon King himself. Through a mysterious connection, Meliodas instantly identifies them; likewise, the 10 Commandments, too, seem to sense his presence. As the demons leave a path of destruction in their wake, the Seven Deadly Sins must find a way to stop them before the Demon Clan drowns Britannia in blood and terror. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Overlord II オーバーロードⅡ [Madhouse] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Isekai Action, Adventure, Fantasy Ainz Ooal Gown, the undead sorcerer formerly known as Momonga, has accepted his place in this new world. Though it bears similarities to his beloved virtual reality game Yggdrasil, it still holds many mysteries which he intends to uncover, by utilizing his power as ruler of the Great Tomb of Nazarick. However, ever since the disastrous brainwashing of one of his subordinates, Ainz has become wary of the impending dangers of the Slane Theocracy, as well as the possible existence of other former Yggdrasil players. Meanwhile, Albedo, Demiurge and the rest of Ainz's loyal guardians set out to prepare for the next step in their campaign: Nazarick's first war… Overlord II picks up immediately after its prequel, continuing the story of Ainz Ooal Gown, his eclectic army of human-hating guardians, and the many hapless humans affected by the Overlord's arrival. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 7/10   5. Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan 2 The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. 2 斉木楠雄のΨ難 2 [J.C.Staff, Egg Firm] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, School, Super Power Comedy, Supernatural The disastrous life of the gifted psychic Kusuo Saiki continues, despite his utmost effort to live an ordinary life. Although he has certainly grown accustomed to dealing with his troublesome friends—who are his biggest hurdle to achieving a peaceful life—he still has a long way to go. Also joining the usual oddballs are a few new faces whose shenanigans add to Saiki's misery, making his dreams of a hassle-free life a distant fantasy. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san Teasing Master Takagi-san からかい上手の高木さん [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen Romantic Subtext, School Comedy Having a friend that knows you inside out should be a good thing, but in Nishikata's case, the opposite is true. His classmate Takagi loves to tease him on a daily basis, and she uses her extensive knowledge of his behavior to predict exactly how he will react to her teasing, making it nearly impossible for Nishikata to ever make a successful comeback. Despite this, Nishikata vows to someday give Takagi a taste of her own medicine by making her blush out of embarrassment from his teasing. Great episodic yonkoma comedy. Priceless with the right mood and prior knowledge what to expect.   Overall Rating: 7/10   7. Citrus シトラス [Passione] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Drama, Girls Love During the summer of her freshman year of high school, Yuzu Aihara's mother remarried, forcing her to transfer to a new school. To a fashionable socialite like Yuzu, this inconvenient event is just another opportunity to make new friends, fall in love, and finally experience a first kiss. Unfortunately, Yuzu's dreams and style do not conform with her new ultrastrict, all-girls school, filled with obedient shut-ins and overachieving grade-skippers. Her gaudy appearance manages to grab the attention of Mei Aihara, the beautiful and imposing student council president, who immediately proceeds to sensually caress Yuzu's body in an effort to confiscate her cellphone. Thoroughly exhausted from her first day, Yuzu arrives home and discovers a shocking truth—Mei is actually her new step-sister! Though Yuzu initially tries to be friendly with her, Mei's cold shoulder routine forces Yuzu to begin teasing her. But before Yuzu can finish her sentence, Mei forces her to the ground and kisses her, with Yuzu desperately trying to break free. Once done, Mei storms out of the room, leaving Yuzu to ponder the true nature of her first kiss, and the secrets behind the tortured expression in the eyes of her new sister. Serious girls love, so without me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyousoukyoku Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody デスマーチからはじまる異世界狂想曲 [SILVER LINK., Connect] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Harem, Isekai Adventure, Fantasy Ichirou Suzuki, a programmer nearing his thirties, is drowning in work. Worn out, he eventually has a chance to catch up on sleep, only to wake up and discover himself in a fantasy RPG world, which is mashed together from the games he was debugging in reality. In this new place, he realizes that not only has his appearance changed to a younger version of himself, but his name has also changed to Satou, a nickname he used while running beta tests on games. However, before Satou can fully grasp his situation, an army of lizardmen launch an assault on him. Forced to cast a powerful spell in retaliation, Satou wipes them out completely and his level is boosted to 310, effectively maximizing his stats. Now, as a high-leveled adventurer armed with a plethora of skills and no way to return to reality, Satou sets out to explore this magical new world. Got pretty blurry memories about this Isekai. Having rewatched it, I now understand, why. It's an enjoyable process of exploration unknown world systems, but not an enjoyable story. OP protagonist has to conceal his powers like in Overlord, and not much is happening in both anime. Still, this comparison is not in favor of Death March, and there's no continuation pending while ending is just not satisfactory, so it deserves only minimal acclaim.   Overall Rating: 7/10   9. Sora yori mo Tooi Basho A Place Further Than The Universe 宇宙よりも遠い場所 [Madhouse] (Finished 13/13) Tags: CGDCT Adventure, Comedy, Drama Filled with an overwhelming sense of wonder for the world around her, Mari Tamaki has always dreamt of what lies beyond the reaches of the universe. However, despite harboring such large aspirations on the inside, her fear of the unknown and anxiety over her own possible limitations have always held her back from chasing them. But now, in her second year of high school, Mari is more determined than ever to not let any more of her youth go to waste. Still, her fear continues to prevent her from taking that ambitious step forward—that is, until she has a chance encounter with a girl who has grand dreams of her own. Spurred by her mother's disappearance, Shirase Kobuchizawa has been working hard to fund her trip to Antarctica. Despite facing doubt and ridicule from virtually everyone, Shirase is determined to embark on this expedition to search for her mother in a place further than the universe itself. Inspired by Shirase's resolve, Mari jumps at the chance to join her. Soon, their efforts attract the attention of the bubbly Hinata Miyake, who is eager to stand out, and Yuzuki Shiraishi, a polite girl from a high class background. Together, they set sail toward the frozen south. Sora yori mo Tooi Basho follows the captivating journey of four spirited girls, all in search of something great. CGDCT at Antarctica! Average, without humor, disappointing...   Overall Rating: 5/10   10. Yuru Camp△ Laid-Back Camp ゆるキャン△ [C-Station] (Finished 1/12) Tags: CGDCT, Iyashikei Slice of Life While the perfect getaway for most girls her age might be a fancy vacation with their loved ones, Rin Shima's ideal way of spending her days off is camping alone at the base of Mount Fuji. From pitching her tent to gathering firewood, she has always done everything by herself, and has no plans of leaving her little solitary world. However, what starts off as one of Rin's usual camping sessions somehow ends up as a surprise get-together for two when the lost Nadeshiko Kagamihara is forced to take refuge at her campsite. Originally intending to see the picturesque view of Mount Fuji for herself, Nadeshiko's plans are disrupted when she ends up falling asleep partway to her destination. Alone and with no other choice, she seeks help from the only other person nearby. Despite their hasty introductions, the two girls nevertheless enjoy the chilly night together, eating ramen and conversing while the campfire keeps them warm. And even after Nadeshiko's sister finally picks her up later that night, both girls silently ponder the possibility of another camping trip together. First all the climbing anime, now the camping one... and it's horrible. Poor characters, silly antics and constant survival guides as if it was educational program disguised as entertainment.   Overall Rating: 5/10   11. Gakuen Babysitters School Babysitters 学園ベビーシッターズ [Brain's Base] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shoujo Childcare, Iyashikei, School Slice of Life After losing both parents in a fatal plane crash, teenager Ryuuichi Kashima must adjust to his new life as the guardian of his younger brother Kotarou. Although Ryuuichi is able to maintain a friendly and kindhearted demeanor, Kotarou is a reserved toddler still too young to understand the reality of the situation. At their parents' funeral, they are approached by Youko Morinomiya, the stern chairman of an elite academy, who decides to take them under her care. However, there is one condition Ryuuichi must fulfill in exchange for a roof over their heads and enrolment in the school—he must become the school's babysitter. In an effort to support the female teachers at the academy, a babysitter's club was established to look after their infant children; unfortunately, the club is severely short-staffed, so now not only is Ryuuichi responsible for his little brother, but also a handful of toddlers who possess dynamic personalities. There have been great childcare stories around one kid, but it does not look like it's possible with a lot of kids like here and all the troubles around them. Not my cut of tea, after all. First episode has so much crying that I don't incline to explore any further.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Grancrest Senki Record of Grancrest War グランクレスト戦記 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 24/24) Tags: Military Action, Drama, Fantasy, Romance The continent of Atlatan once again finds itself devoured by the flames of war after a horrific event known as the Great Hall Tragedy. What was supposed to be a joyful occasion that would establish peace between the Fantasia Union and the Factory Alliance, the marriage of Sir Alexis Douse and Lady Marrine Kreische, was instead a tragedy. As the bride and groom walked down the aisle, the ceremony was suddenly interrupted by a powerful convergence of "Chaos," a dark energy from another dimension that corrupts the land and brings forth monsters and demons into the world. From within that energy appeared the Demon Lord of Diabolos, an evil being who instantly murdered the archdukes of both factions, shattering any hope for peace between them. Having failed to prevent this disaster, Siluca Meletes, an Alliance mage, is traveling through the Chaos-infested countryside to study under a master magician. When she is intercepted by a group of soldiers working with the Federation, Siluca is rescued by Theo Cornaro, a young warrior carrying a mysterious "Crest," a magical symbol that gives its wielder the ability to banish Chaos. Bearing no allegiance to a specific domain, Theo hopes to attain the rank of Lord so that he can liberate his home town of Sistina from its tyrannical ruler and the Chaos spreading within it. Impressed by his noble goal, Siluca enters into a magical contract with Theo, and the two embark on a journey to restore balance to their war-torn land. Dropped it before, but feeling obliged to finish now as it's fantasy and not the worst. And it's a mixed bag. The good part is that it's epic multi-nation conflict with straightforward logical narration (unlike Arslan Senki) and quite good memorable characters that are given some time to tell their stories. On the bad side, it did not need to stretch to 24 episodes as a lot of battles are of little importance and there is some beating around the bush. Characters are anything but complex, and they act in a predictable way most of the time, but some decisions are suddenly plain irrational and work out only due to a miracle just to add more drama and spice things up. The core of the conflict is artificial and poorly justified. So it had some nice moments and was good overall, but I did not enjoy it enough to call a firm masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 7/10   13. Koi wa Ameagari no You ni After the Rain 恋は雨上がりのように [Wit Studio] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Workplace Drama, Romance Akira Tachibana, a reserved high school student and former track runner, has not been able to race the same as she used to since she experienced a severe foot injury. And although she is regarded as attractive by her classmates, she is not interested in the boys around school. While working part-time at the Garden Cafe, Akira begins to develop feelings for the manager—a 45-year-old man named Masami Kondou—despite the large age gap. Kondou shows genuine concern and kindness toward the customers of his restaurant, which, while viewed by others as soft or weak, draws Akira to him. Spending time together at the restaurant, they grow closer, which only strengthens her feelings. Weighed down by these uncertain emotions, Akira finally resolves to confess, but what will be the result? Excellent deep romance story with many lines and even notable music. The reason I can't give it a perfect score now is because I watched it before and could not even remember some of the contents and the title, not the impact it's supposed to leave on first watch. The theme of classical literature feels a bit artificial, same as running, lol. Main heroine acts irrationally a lot. Plus, attention gets shifted and dispersed by the end of it and there's no decisive ending, so can't put a 9.   Overall Rating: 8/10   14. Poputepipikku Pop Team Epic ポプテピピック [Kamikaze Douga] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Gag Humor, Parody Comedy Poputepipikku turns absurdist comedy up to eleven with its pop culture references and surreal hilarity. With two bonafide high school girl protagonists—the short and exceptionally quick to anger Popuko, and the tall and unshakably calm Pipimi—they throw genres against the wall and don't wait to see what sticks. Parody is interlaced with drama, action, crudeness, and the show's overarching goal—to become a real anime. Episodic gag humor yonkoma is very tiresome for me. Not finding it funny at all. References aren't worth anything without humor. And it's ugly as hell.   Overall Rating: 5/10   15. Fate/Extra: Last Encore  [Shaft] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural  A technological hell masquerading as paradise, Tsukimihara Academy is an artificial high school that serves as the setting for the next Holy Grail War. Created by the Moon Cell computer, the school is inhabited by Earth-projected souls who have even the slightest aptitude for being a "Master." Of these 256 souls, 128 will be chosen for the main tournament and granted a Servant. With all of the Masters selected, the Academy activates a purge, targeting the remaining lifeforms for elimination. Awakening in a pool of his own blood, Hakuno Kishinami refuses to die. Fueled by unknown feelings of hatred, he vows to fight for survival. As he struggles to escape from a relentless pursuer, he finds a crimson blade plunged into the ground; and by pulling it out, Hakuno summons his own Servant, Saber, who instantly destroys his pursuer in a flurry of rose petals. With his newfound power, Hakuno must now begin his journey to Moon Cell's core, the Angelica Cage. There, he will unveil the reason for this artificial world and the secrets of his own blood-soaked past. Remake or something.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Gintama.: Shirogane no Tamashii-hen Gintama.: Silver Soul Arc 銀魂. 銀ノ魂篇 [Bandai Namco Pictures] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, Historical, Parody, Samurai Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi After the fierce battle on Rakuyou, the untold past and true goal of the immortal Naraku leader, Utsuro, are finally revealed. By corrupting the Altana reserves of several planets, Utsuro has successfully triggered the intervention of the Tendoshuu’s greatest enemy: the Altana Liberation Army. With Earth as the main battleground in this interplanetary war, Utsuro's master plan to destroy the planet—and himself—is nearly complete. An attack on the O-Edo Central Terminal marks the beginning of the final battle to take back the land of the samurai. With the Yorozuya nowhere in sight, the bakufu all but collapsed, and the Shogun missing, the people are left completely helpless as the Liberation Army begins pillaging Edo in the name of freeing them from the Tendoshuu's rule. Caught in the crossfire between two equally imposing forces, can Gintoki, Kagura, Shinpachi, and the former students of Shouyou Yoshida put aside their differences and unite their allies to protect what they hold dear? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Ryuuou no Oshigoto! The Ryuo's Work is Never Done! りゅうおうのおしごと！ [Project No.9] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Strategy Game Comedy  Shogi, a Japanese game similar to chess, is one of the most popular board games in the country, played by everyone from children to the elderly. Some players are talented enough to take the game to a professional level. The title of Ryuuou, meaning "the dragon king," is only awarded to the person who reaches the pinnacle of competitive shogi. Yaichi Kuzuryuu has just become the youngest Ryuuou after winning the grand championship. However, the shogi community is unwelcoming to his victory, some even calling him the worst Ryuuou in history. Moreover, he forgets about the agreement he made with Ai Hinatsuru, a little girl he promised to coach if he won. After she shows up at his doorstep, he reluctantly agrees to uphold his promise and makes Ai his disciple. Together, they aim to improve and exceed the limits of their shogi prowess: Ai, to unlock her hidden talents; Yaichi, to prove to the world that he deserves his accomplishments. Lolicon and yandere fetish. Everyone is a genius. Lots of nonsense. That's enough for a skip.   Overall Rating: 5/10   18. Killing Bites キリングバイツ [LIDENFILMS] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen Anthropomorphic, Gore Action, Sci-Fi, Ecchi After unknowingly participating in a kidnapping, college student Yuuya Nomoto finds his friends brutally murdered by Hitomi Uzaki, the high school girl they attempted to abduct. Forced to drive her to an undisclosed location, he finds himself being wagered as the prize for a death match between two Therianthropes, superpowered human-animal hybrids created through advanced gene therapy. As one of these hybrids, Hitomi uses the speed and fearlessness she gained from her ratel genes to viciously dispatch her foe and save Yuuya from certain death. Waking up hours later hoping the whole event was only a nightmare, Yuuya realizes that he has become embroiled in a secret proxy war between four large Japanese business conglomerates, with the winner taking control of the economy. As her sole albeit unwilling investor, his life is now directly linked to Hitomi's ability to participate in underground bloodsport matches known only as Killing Bites. Ecchi trash duels.   Overall Rating: 5/10   19. Kokkoku 刻刻 [Geno Studio] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Psychological Drama, Mystery, Supernatural After presumably failing 19 job interviews in one day, Juri Yukawa's dreams of moving out of her parents' home are utterly dashed. Stuck living with her working mother Nobuko, NEET brother Tsubasa, laid-off father Takafumi, and single-parent sister Sanae, the only hope for this family to raise a decent adult is her little nephew Makoto. However, this struggling family's life takes a turn for the worse when Makoto and Tsubasa are violently kidnapped by a mysterious organization and held for ransom. With only 30 minutes to deliver five million yen to the criminals, Juri's grandfather reveals a dangerously powerful secret to her and Takafumi. By offering blood to her grandfather's mystical stone, the three enter the world of "Stasis," a version of their world where time stops for everyone but the users. Having arrived at their destination, their rescue efforts go awry when they are assailed by a surprising group of people who are somehow able to move around within Stasis. While all hope seems lost, a monstrous giant known as the Herald appears amidst the chaos, its intent and motivations as cryptic as the very nature of this timeless world. Seeing a mystery makes me sigh a lot, and not in a good way. Again crazy specially complicated setting with abundance of unknowns that aren't going to matter as deus ex machina comes at the very end anyway. Because it goes like that all the time. It may work out with better characters, but that's not the case here. Couple episodes of this mess is all I agree to take.   Overall Rating: 5/10   20. Itou Junji: Collection Junji Ito Collection 伊藤潤二「コレクション」 [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Psychological Drama, Horror, Mystery, Supernatural  In the light of day and in the dead of night, mysterious horrors await in the darkest shadows of every corner. They are unexplainable, inescapable, and undefeatable. Be prepared, or you may become their next victim. Sit back in terror as traumatizing tales of unparalleled terror unfold. Tales, such as that of a cursed jade carving that opens holes all over its victims' bodies; deep nightmares that span decades; an attractive spirit at a misty crossroad that grants cursed advice; and a slug that grows inside a girl's mouth. Tread carefully, for the horrifying supernatural tales of the Itou Junji: Collection are not for the faint of heart. Anthology of horror stories is something that's alien to me. Just horrible.   Overall Rating: 5/10   21. Beatless  [Diomedéa] (Finished 2/20) Tags: Action, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi  With great advancements in technology, mankind has created hIEs, human-like robots that act as public and personal servants for society. Unlike many others, the kind-hearted high school student Arato Endou treats hIEs as equals, but his financial situation keeps him from ever owning one. However, his normal life is shattered when an ordinary run to the local grocery store goes horribly awry. Viciously assaulted by a hacked hIE, Arato is on the verge of death; but luckily, he is saved by an abnormal hIE carrying a weaponized coffin. Her name is Lacia, one of five highly advanced hIEs that recently escaped the clutches of the mysterious MemeFrame Corporation. Faced with a hacked car threatening to run them over, Lacia offers Arato a deal: in exchange for saving his life, he must register as her new owner, thus taking full responsibility for her actions. With little choice, he decides to trust this artificial girl and allows her to live in his home. Though Lacia begins to adapt to her new, peaceful lifestyle, she warns the entranced Arato of one thing—she does not have a soul. Chobits meet Mahoromantic. Result is generic and very disappointing.   Overall Rating: 5/10   22. Dagashi Kashi 2 だがしかし2 [Tezuka Productions] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Romantic Subtext Comedy, Gourmet Second season of Dagashi Kashi. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens 博多豚骨ラーメンズ [Satelight] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Adult Cast, Crossdressing, Detective Action, Mystery Although the city of Fukuoka might look relatively peaceful at first glance, in actuality it houses a thriving mixture of dangerous individuals such as killers, detectives, and professional revenge seekers right beneath its surface. Among their number is Zenji Banba, a laidback and observant detective who is investigating the work of other hitmen companies in the area. However, Banba might not be the only one with a bone to pick with these organizations, as Xianming Lin, a crossdressing male hitman in the employ of one such company begins getting fed up with his lack of jobs and pay. One day, after Lin's current target commits suicide before the hitman could reach him, his company refuses to pay him even half the amount they were originally supposed to for the assassination. Frustrated, Lin requests another mission and is offered the job of taking out Banba, whom his organization believes has been interfering with their business. However, when Banba arrives at his home and finds the hitman inside, Lin surprisingly doesn't even attempt to kill him. Instead, he offers the detective another option: to join him and form a team. With the offer on the table, exactly how will Banba respond, and just what plans does Lin have in store for the underground world of Fukuoka? Crossdressing detective mystery? Sign me DOWN!   Overall Rating: 5/10   24. Miira no Kaikata How to Keep a Mummy ミイラの飼い方 [8bit] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Mythology, Pets, School Fantasy, Slice of Life  High school student Sora Kashiwagi is accustomed to receiving bizarre presents from his father, who is on an expedition around the world. Unfortunately, these gifts have been nothing but nightmares. As a result, when his father sends him a huge package from Egypt, Sora prepares himself for the worst, only to be greeted by Mii-kun—a cute, pint-sized mummy! While initially wary, Sora soon learns that Mii-kun is harmless, a delicate creature yearning for attention. Throughout their amusing day-to-day lives, the unlikely pair meet other people with unique pets, while also strengthening their bond together. Although keeping a pet is a difficult task, Sora is set on caring for the lovable Mii-kun. Cute mummy. Now we've seen it all. No matter how I look at it, it's just waste of time.   Overall Rating: 5/10   25. Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card-hen Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card カードキャプターさくら クリアカード編 [Madhouse] (Finished 1/22) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance With all of the Clow Cards recaptured and changed into her own Sakura Cards, Sakura Kinomoto now enters her first year at Tomoeda Middle School. After her initial day of classes, Sakura reunites with her love Shaoran Li, who informs her that he is permanently moving back to Tomoeda. Much to her surprise, it even turns out that Shaoran will attend the same school and it seems as if Sakura's life is heading in all the right directions. However, when Sakura goes to sleep, she encounters in her dream a mysterious cloaked figure and finds herself surrounded by transparent cards. Waking up in fear, Sakura is shocked to see her dream has come true, with the Sakura Cards having turned clear. Continued dreamlike encounters with the unknown enemy and her gaining a new magical key sets the stage for Cardcaptor Sakura's latest adventure! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   26. Mitsuboshi Colors 三ツ星カラーズ [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Shounen CGDCT, Iyashikei Slice of Life Residing within Tokyo's district of Ueno are the Colors, three individuals who protect their city by performing good deeds and aiding their community. Or, at the very least, they pretend to be the city's defenders. In reality, the Colors are just three young girls: the shy Yui Akamatsu, the noisy Sacchan, and the video game-loving Kotoha, who spend their time playing make-believe and exploring the city. The Colors' activities are facilitated by the grandfatherly Daigorou "Pops" Kujiraoka, who uses his store's inventory of knick-knacks to entertain the rambunctious trio. Not everyone is a fan of the Colors though. The local policeman Saitou just wants to deal with his regular duties, but he often finds himself the target of the Colors' attention, having been made the villain in most of their fantasies. But despite his personal feelings, Saitou always finds the time to go along with the three girls' games. Even though the Colors do not actually defend Ueno, they definitely help brighten everyone's day. Nonsense story and nonsense humor. I appreciate neither.   Overall Rating: 6/10   27. Slow Start スロウスタート [CloverWorks] (Finished 2/12) Tags: CGDCT, School Comedy Hana Ichinose, a 17-year-old high school student who is not only introverted, but also insecure and timid, has just moved and will be attending a new school. To make her situation more difficult, Hana is a "slow start," which means that she missed a year and worries about attending a class where everyone is younger than her. During her introduction, the teacher reveals it is Hana's birthday, which gives her the jumping-off point to meet three of her classmates: Tamate Momochi, a charismatic and extroverted girl; Kanmuri Sengoku, who is shy and small; and the popular and pretty Eiko Tokura. Not wanting to lose the chance to make new friends, Hana's interactions with these three mark the beginning of some beautiful relationships that will change her life. CGDCT comedy requires some good humor. This is decent at best, way worse than yuru yuri. And girls are quite young, so themes are immature, too.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Toji no Miko Katana Maidens: Toji no Miko 刀使ノ巫女 [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 4/24) Tags: Action, Fantasy  Throughout history, an elite group of shrine maidens known as "Toji" have saved the world from "Aratama," strange and malevolent beings bent on destroying humanity. In modern times, these warriors have been assigned to a special police squad to exterminate Aratama. The government has also set up five elite schools across the country to provide young girls the necessary sword fighting skills to eradicate these monsters and eventually join their fellow Toji in protecting the world. A student of one of those five schools, Kanami Etou is chosen to represent Minoseki Academy in a sword fighting tournament, where she meets the mysterious Hiyori Juujou. Although Kanami and Hiyori rise to the top of the tournament, their battle takes an unexpected turn, throwing the world of the Toji into chaos. Likely that the Toji are facing betrayal from within, the two are forced to flee the tournament, clashing with former comrades on the way. It's both CGDCT and fighting monsters with katana. Can compare it to bubblegum crisis, and that already was not a great gig, but at least the pacing was good. Here pacing is slow, and I just can't imagine how this story can be stretched to 24 episodes and remain interesting without outstanding characters or engaging plot.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Hakumei to Mikochi Hakumei and Mikochi ハクメイとミコチ [Lerche] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Anthropomorphic, Iyashikei Fantasy, Slice of Life In a world inhabited by people only a few inches tall, young women Hakumei and Mikochi live together in a house built into a tree. Hakumei is an energetic and tomboyish carpenter, while Mikochi is a feminine and calm tailor. Despite their differences, they get along well and spend their days having fun living their lives in the woods. The two of them spend their time working, going on sightseeing adventures, and taking shopping trips into Tsumiki Marketplace by the ocean. They make many friends along the way, be they sentient woodland creatures like Iwashi the Weasel or fellow miniature people such as the songstress Konju and the inventor Sen. Hakumei to Mikochi is a relaxing look into the day-to-day lives of its titular characters as they explore and interact with their tiny world which seems to be straight out of a fairy tale. I miss the times when seinen used to mean something. Hate iyashikei. Hate boring SOL.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Ramen Daisuki Koizumi-san Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles ラーメン大好き小泉さん [Studio Gokumi, AXsiZ] (Finished 1/12) Tags: CGDCT Comedy, Gourmet  From standing in the sun for hours to traveling miles away from home, gorgeous high school student Koizumi stops at nothing to fulfill her desire for ramen. But these previously solo trips soon change when Koizumi's classmate Yuu Oosawa develops an infatuation with her, and begins to join Koizumi uninvitedly on her adventures. As Yuu continues to be shocked by Koizumi's enormous appetite, she learns about the endless variety of ramen from, arguably, its greatest connoisseur ever! It's difficult to make CGDCT comedy already, but adding gourmet with episodic format only makes things worse. Bland, plain, tasteless.   Overall Rating: 5/10   31. Sanrio Danshi Sanrio Boys サンリオ男子 [Pierrot] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Otaku Culture, School Drama  Kouta Hasegawa is a completely normal high school student who likes his Pompompurin stuffed animal, a Sanrio character modelled after a Golden Retriever, which his grandmother gave him when he was young. However, an incident in which other kids accused him of being girly for liking Sanrio characters made him ashamed of his attachment to Pompompurin. Through a series of unexpected events, Kouta ends up meeting others at school who also like Sanrio characters—Yuu Mizuno, a flashy boy who is popular with girls; Shunsuke Yoshino, a member of the soccer team; Ryou Nishimiya, an underclassman who is a library assistant; and Seiichirou Minamoto, the student council president. Through his new friends, Kouta learns that there is no need to be embarrassed for liking Sanrio characters; and together, they aim to create a play for the cultural festival in order to transform his normal school life into a sparkly one. Danshi no nichijou genre is not impressive as it is, but being one huge advertisement just kills it outright.   Overall Rating: 5/10   32. Yowamushi Pedal: Glory Line 弱虫ペダル GLORY LINE [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen Racing Sports Fourth season of the Yowamushi Pedal series. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   33. Gin no Guardian II The Silver Guardian 2 銀の墓守りII [Emon, Blade] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy  Set in the same timeline as Sin: Nanatsu no Taizai, Nanatsu no Bitoku follows a group of angels sent from Heaven to look for a potential "Savior" to counter-attack the demonic influence being spread by Lucifer and the other emissaries of Hell. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   34. Takunomi. Takunomi たくのみ。 [Production IMS] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Adult Cast, CGDCT Comedy, Gourmet 20-year-old Michiru Amatsuki moved to Tokyo after a career change, and now finds herself living in a woman only share house, Stella House Haruno, with a few other women of varying age and occupation. Every night the girls settle down and have a drink or two (or more) as drama ensues. Can't consider it even decent with all the advertisement, flavor descriptions and just drowning problems in alcohol.   Overall Rating: 5/10   35. Märchen Mädchen Maerchen Maedchen メルヘン・メドヘン [Hoods Entertainment] (Finished 2/10) Tags: Isekai, School Fantasy Hazuki Kagimura is a socially awkward girl with no friends; and having been recently adopted, she struggles to connect with her new family as well. Her only refuge from this painful reality is between the pages of stories where her vivid imagination allows her to live out her dreams of friendship and adventure. However, one day, an old and mysterious text appears in her book bag. On her way back to the library to return it, Hazuki sees a familiar girl who is seemingly invisible to everyone but her. Deciding to follow her, Hazuki is led a hidden library where a world she thought only existed in her dreams awaits her. Märchen Mädchen tells the story of Hazuki's meeting with Shizuka Tsuchimikado, her very first friend, and discovering she has been chosen by the original print of Cinderella to become a powerful mage known as an Origin Master. Hazuki enrolls at Kuzunoha Girl's Magic Academy where she learns to conquer her fears and believe in her ability to create her own amazing story. I remember it being a big mess and I'm not going to confirm those impressions anew.   Overall Rating: 5/10   36. Basilisk: Ouka Ninpouchou Basilisk: The Ouka Ninja Scrolls バジリスク ～桜花忍法帖～ [Seven Arcs Pictures] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Seinen Historical, Martial Arts Action, Drama It has been 10 years since the war between the Iga and Kouga ninja clans came to an end. The two groups have since made peace, supposedly dispelling the animosity that once existed between them. Hachirou Kouga and Hibiki Iga, the successors of their respective bloodlines, seem to have the perfect conditions for their love to bloom, but not everyone is satisfied with the results of the age-old battle. Different tales of the final showdown between Gennosuke Kouga and Oboro Iga have spread, leaving Tadanaga Tokugawa—whom the Kouga represented—dissatisfied. As tension between the two clans rises once again, the brewing political climate threatens to keep the two fated lovers apart, just as it had in the previous generation. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   37. Zoku Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru 2 続 刀剣乱舞-花丸- [Doga Kobo] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Historical Action, Comedy, Fantasy  Sequel of Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   38. Hakyuu Houshin Engi Hakyu Hoshin Engi 覇穹 封神演義 [C-Station] (Finished 1/23) Tags: Shounen Mythology Action, Adventure, Fantasy  When his clan is wiped out by a beautiful demon, young Taikobo finds himself in charge of the mysterious Houshin Project. Its mission: find all immortals living in the human world and seal them away forever. But who do you trust—and whose side are you really on—when you've been trained to hunt demons by a demon? Remake.   Overall Rating: 5/10   39. Hug tto! Precure HuGっと！プリキュア [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/49) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Fantasy It's her first day at a new school, and the cheerful Hana Nono is ready to make a fresh start, dreaming of becoming mature and reliable—a far cry from her usual childish self. Although she makes a disastrous first impression, Hana soon befriends two of her classmates: the gentle and studious class representative Saaya Yakushiji, and a cool and mysterious girl Homare Kagayaki. That night, a magical baby falls from the sky right onto Hana's balcony. She is immediately smitten with her and names her Hug-tan. Alongside Hug-tan is a snarky talking hamster, Hariham Harry, who mutters that Hana "isn't the one" before vanishing with the baby. The next day, Hana believes the encounter to be a dream, until people all over the city begin collapsing and a giant monster appears, feeding on their energy. As Hana escapes, she spots Hug-tan and Harry under attack. Making a stand to protect them, she and Hug-tan suddenly both glow with energy and a heart-shaped gem forms. With the crystal's power, Hana transforms into a hero called "Cure Yell" and defeats the monster. Surprised at Hana's power, Harry explains that he and Hug-tan came from a future frozen in time by the Criasu Corporation, the same organization that created the monster. Only the Future Crystals, manifestations of one's hopes and dreams, and the Precure they create have a chance at defeating Criasu and saving the future! Series sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   40. Aerover: Seupeiseu Drone Gwihwan Aerover: Return of the Space Drone 에어로버: 스페이스 드론의 귀환 [-] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Action, Comedy, Sports  Tells about a future where drones are common. Drones have played an indispensable and important function in human life. One day, a large meteorite fell on earth, and scientists discovered that it had an infinite source of energy, the "Cosmo Stone", and applied it to a drone, what people call a "space drone." One day, drone wars around the world broke out, and space drones were active as a weapon of war. As the damage spreads, world leaders proposed a ceasefire and sought to turn drones into symbols of peace, not weapons of war anymore. The result is the "Aerover Championship". Partially translated. Full CGI. Kids stuff.   Overall Rating: 5/10   41. Devilman: Crybaby  [Science SARU] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Shounen Gore, Mythology Action, Avant Garde, Horror, Supernatural Devils cannot take form without a living host. However, if the will of an individual is strong enough, they can overcome the demon and make its power their own, becoming a Devilman. Weak and unassuming, Akira Fudou has always had a bleeding heart. So when his childhood friend Ryou Asuka asks for his help in uncovering devils, Akira accepts without hesitation. However, to Akira's surprise, the place they go to is Sabbath: an immoral party of debauchery and degeneracy. Amidst bloodshed and death, demons possess the partiers, turning their bodies into grotesque monsters, and begin wreaking havoc. In a reckless attempt to save his best friend, Akira unwittingly merges with the devil Amon and becomes a Devilman, gaining the power to defeat the remaining demons. Though it grants him great power, this new partnership awakens an insatiable and primeval part of Akira. Having the body of a devil but the same crybaby heart, Akira works alongside Ryou, destroying those that harm humanity and his loved ones. Remake.   Overall Rating: 6/10   42. B: The Beginning  [Netflix] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Detective, Psychological Action, Mystery, Supernatural, Suspense Production I.G On the islands of Cremona, a vigilante runs amok. Celebrated by some and hunted by others, the notorious "Killer B" takes justice into his own hands, armed with a sharp blade and superhuman abilities. Unable to apprehend this renegade, the Royal Investigation Service (RIS) calls upon the expertise of Keith Flick, a seasoned, yet eccentric detective who was relegated to the Archives Department following a personal loss. As crimes in Cremona begin to escalate, from stealthy executions of wrongdoers to sophisticated strikes on public figures, it soon becomes clear that there is more than one person responsible. With the help of his impulsive sidekick Lily Hoshina, and unexpected aid from the elusive Killer B himself, Keith begins to unravel plots involving secret organizations, domestic terrorism, and human experiments. When the involvement of the RIS extends beyond the scope of justice, the extent of the government's corruption—as well as the trustworthiness of close allies—are thrown into question. Suspense detective mystery with a genius sounds like swearing to me. I'm sure it's above average, but in best case scenario it can reach the level of Terror in Resonance or Monster which is still too low for me compared to Laughing man just because characters are way worse.   Overall Rating: 6/10   43. Emiya-san Chi no Kyou no Gohan Today's Menu for the Emiya Family 衛宮さんちの今日のごはん  [ufotable] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Iyashikei Gourmet, Slice of Life With the threat of the Holy Grail War no longer looming over Fuyuki City, its inhabitants can finally enjoy a time of peace. Now that all of the Masters and Servants have adjusted to their new mundane lives, Shirou has taken it upon himself to cook for his household and show Saber the wonders of modern cuisine. Every day, he ventures into the marketplace to see what kind of different meals he can cook up with unique ingredients and a limited budget. However, his legendary skills often attract uninvited guests from all over the city, so there is never a dull moment at dinner with the Emiya family. As his guests entertain themselves in the living room, Shirou walks through the step-by-step process of creating some of his favorite meals. With delicacies such as his savory New Year soba with shrimp tempura, steamy foil-baked salmon, and cheesy bamboo shoot gratin, everything is up for grabs on his menu. Itadakimasu! Fate iyashikei gourmet sounds and tastes horrible.   Overall Rating: 5/10   44. A.I.C.O. Incarnation  [Bones] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Action, Sci-Fi  In 2035, an incident known as “The Burst” occurs at a Japanese research facility, giving birth to the rapidly expanding, consuming, and self-replicating "Matter." Snaking its way through the remains of dams and military facilities in the Kurobe Gorge, the hostile Matter is besieged by task forces trying to prevent it from reaching the ocean and mercenaries seeking the truth behind its existence. Aiko Tachibana lives under constant medical surveillance after being rescued from the Matter. She spends her days waiting out her recovery by making paper planes. Soon, her daily life at school is disturbed by the arrival of transfer student Yuuya Kanzaki, who proceeds to point out a number of inconsistencies regarding her body. Why is she never injured, and why does she suddenly no longer need her wheelchair? He claims that there is more to her existence than she has been led to believe, and that she alone holds the key to ending The Burst. With many factions now interested in Aiko, she and Yuuya must gather allies and embark on a dangerous pilgrimage into the heart of the infested gorge before the net can close around them. To escape the conspiracy moving against them, the pair must face off against the Matter—an enemy that flows like water. Another Netflix show which usually means fast pace, lots of action and attempt to introduce epic elements to the story. But the result is usually surface-scratching rushed flashy action with underdeveloped characters and needlessly complex story that's rather simple in the core. In other words, usage of principle "fake it till you make it". This work is a great example of such concept. It's an ok entertainment, but it only tries to be interesting and remains just an imitation, mostly of EVA.    Overall Rating: 6/10   45. Sword Gai The Animation ソードガイ The Animation [DLE, LandQ studios] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Seinen Action, Supernatural When the gods would not answer in humanity's desperate hour of need, it turned to a demon instead. The supposed savior came wielding the sword Zsoltgewinn, but its uncontrollable lust for blood led it to kill those who summoned it too. Although the sword was sealed away long ago, it has been uncovered by the Shoshidai, an organization that collects such cursed artifacts. However, Zsoltgewinn proves to be too strong to be tamed by humans when its corruptive power influences the administrator, Takuma Miura, to flee with it in his grasp. At the same time, Gai Ogata's family is torn apart due to the possession of another demonic sword, Shiryu, leading his father to be murdered and his mother to hang herself shortly after giving birth to him. Abandoned in the forest clutching the blade, he is discovered by the blacksmith Amon. Unnaturally transfixed by the sword, Gai works tirelessly for years to hone his smithing skills. However, when an accident costs him his arm, he gains a new one—in the form of a reforged Shiryu. Now having a cursed sword for an arm, Gai must learn to control its violent urges. All the while, Zsoltgewinn continues its rampage, leaving a path of blood in its wake. Making action anime just around concept of cursed sword like Muramasa is dubious. Without proper story or characters it's just the looks and action which makes it average.   Overall Rating: 5/10   46. Mi Yu Xingzhe Uncharted Walker 迷域行者 [Thundray] (Finished 3/12) Tags: High Stakes Game, Psychological, Survival Mystery, Suspense After narrowly escaping a deathtrap, a dazed Ning Yuan finds himself confined by a menacing gangster, He Zhiyang, alongside hysterical doctor, Su Jin. However, this proves to be the least of his concerns as he comes to terms with the group's newfound desperate situation: they are trapped on an isolated island that harbors malignant viruses, horrid mutations, and hostile tribes. Meanwhile, another group of individuals in the same vicinity happen to face the same predicament. Forced to put aside their differences and come together to fight their way to freedom, the two groups of stranded victims must resist their personal motivations which threaten to get the better of them. I'm not fond of any survival. It's usually a convenient theme for cheap emotions as long as there are crafty situations and tension between characters. For me it's all artificial and without interest.   Overall Rating: 6/10   47. Sayonara no Asa ni Yakusoku no Hana wo Kazarou Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms さよならの朝に約束の花をかざろう [P.A. Works] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama, Fantasy  Maquia is a member of a special race called the Iorph—mystical beings who can live for hundreds of years and remain separate from the lives and daily troubles of mankind. However, Maquia has always felt lonely despite being surrounded by her people, as she was orphaned from a young age. She daydreams about the outside world, but dares not travel from her home due to the warnings of the clan's chief. One day however, the outside world finds her, as the power-hungry kingdom of Mezarte invades her homeland. They already have what is left of the giant dragons, the Renato, under their control, and now their king wishes to add the immortality of the Iorph to his bloodline. The humans and their Renato ravage the Iorph homeland and kill most of its inhabitants. Caught in the midst of the attack, Maquia is carried off by one of the Renato that has gone berserk. It soon dies, and she is left deserted in a forest far from home, now truly alone save for the cries of a single baby off in the distance. Maquia finds the baby in a destroyed village and decides to raise him as her own, naming him Ariel. Although she knows nothing of the human world, how to raise a child that ages much faster than her, or how to live with the smoldering loneliness inside, she is determined to make it all work somehow. So, lost girl has to bring up abandoned kid while being mistreated by everyone around and getting troubles from this very kid. And at the same time she has to work hard to not starve. See where it's going? Freaking Clannad all over again. And it's not even justified for the sake of the story, which is a mess. Typical tear-jerker that should stay where it belongs - mediocrity.   Overall Rating: 5/10   48. Starship Troopers: Red Planet Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars スターシップ・トゥルーパーズ レッドプラネット [Sola Digital Arts] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Military Action, Sci-Fi After the events of Invasion, Johnny Rico has been demoted to the rank of colonel and relocated to a Martian satellite to train a new batch of troopers. Unfortunately, these troopers are some of the worst low-performing Rico has ever trained as they're Martians and don't take the war seriously. Mars overall has low support for the war as they see their planet unaffected by the bug conflict and even suggested pulling out from the war. Because of their laid back attitude, the denizens of Mars wasn't ready when the bugs attacked. Unknown to everyone, Sky Marshall Amy Snapp executes her plans for power. Full CGI. Six years between the movies is a lot, and concept has also changed a lot. Nice bravado action with some silly humor, but calling it interesting would be an overkill.   Overall Rating: 6/10   49. Hiragana Danshi 劇場版 ひらがな男子 ～序～ [-] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Music Hiragana Danshi are in the mission to try to find their comrades in the world where Japanese languages have been disappeared. This is a movie adaptation of the Hiragana Danshi multimedia project which is one of the projects that started from a monthly variety show on Nihon TV titled "Ichara," which gets ideas for 2D characters from the audience. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   50. Da Shi Jie Have a Nice Day 大世界 [Beijing Enlight Pictures, Horgos Coloroom Pictures Co., Ltd.] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Psychological Suspense A hard rain is about to fall on a small town in Southern China. In a desperate attempt to find money to save his fiancée’s failed plastic surgery, Xiao Zhang, a mere driver, steals a bag containing 1 million from his boss. News of the robbery spreads fast within the town and, over the course of one night, everyone starts looking for Xiao Zhang and his money. Not translated. Rather ugly. This is a criminal black comedy based around dialogues, so kind of useless to watch it in Chinese without knowing the language.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  15. kivandopulus

    VN of the Month February 2024

    By kivandopulus,


    VN of the Month 2024
    Surprisingly adequate number of titles in February, so I could safely cut couple titles that would fit otherwise (notably, Alice49 EP.0 "Diamond to Shukurimu" and 5fungo ni Igai na Ketsumatsu Monochrome no Toshokan).   1. Haison Sansaku-Kai Katsudou Kiroku 廃村散策会活動記録 [240203] mokosoft  He wanders into the village and comes face to face with the village customs and the mystery of the sacred tree. However, he is also a freak who wants to desecrate the mystery. The battle for the salvation of mankind by the cursed village begins. Amateur game with amateur text and like one hour long, but with an opening, which is already enough to include it.   2. Nie no Hakoniwa 贄の匣庭  [240215] Kenkou Land 1 A long time ago, an outsider appeared before the village of a long-suffering minority. In his possession was a mysterious “box” which was used by the oppressed to rise up and overthrow their oppressors. Years later, that oppressed group formed seven noble houses and grew prosperous. However, House Shiki, which stood first among the Seven Noble Houses did not have a son to succeed the family. In order to have an heir, a young man from outside the village was adopted in to the family. That young man’s name is Yasaka Kurou. He then meets Kyouko, the eldest daughter of House Shiki. Two people who were born in to and lived completely different lives, find themselves drawn to each other. And on the day of their marriage- A nightmare is born. Game is localized and has English reviews.   3. Lip Trip ~Boss wa Watashi no Genetsuzai~ リップ・トリップ～編集長（ボス）はわたしの解熱剤～  [240222] SukeraSomero 1 In the Omegaverse, everyone is born into one of three secondary genders: Alpha (α), Beta (β), or Omega (Ω). The majority of the population are Betas, while Alphas sit at the apex of society with their superior looks and abilities. Meanwhile, Omegas have a special characteristic: they periodically go into heat, at which time they become irresistible to Alphas. Rino is an Omega, and a new recruit working for a digital travel magazine. Chizu is an Alpha, and Rino's boss. "Um, Boss! It's my first day, and..." The moment Rino hears her boss's voice, she suddenly goes into an off-cycle heat! Chizu respects the fact that Rino doesn't want to quit her job just because of her natural urges as an Omega and makes a decision to help her. "Just bear with it. I'll get it over with soon." Entranced by her cool fingers and sweet scent, Rino gives her body over to Chizu. Fate begins to toy with the two as their feelings dance the fine line between reason and instinct... Game is localized and has English reviews   4. Hajimeru Sekai no Risouron -goodbye world index- はじめるセカイの理想論 -goodbye world index- [231124] Whirlpool MC is one of the "reincarnated people" who answered the call of the god who rules this world. He is entrusted the fate of this world by the god and surrounded by other reincarnated people who form a team to fight evil that threatens this world. The world he once lived in was full of lies, and those lies killed him. When he was reincarnated into this world, he prayed to God and acquired the ability 'Doubt'', which is the ability to see through other people's lies. This ability protects his from similar harm, but at the same times it also reveals the hearts of his companions, even things that they keep hidden and intend to ignore. Ecchi comedy without real story focus. Girls are varied, so it's quite possible to find one you can like, especially with routes built around personal circumstances.     5. Setsuna ni Kakeru Koi Hanabi 刹那にかける恋はなび [240222] CRYSTALiA In the 2040s in Japan, the near-future sport "Jindou" boasts a high popularity as the sport of the people. And the the most famous of all the Jindou performances is the "Daihouen". Suzakuin Nadeshiko, although currently still a school student, has been fantastically making a name for herself as a pro swordswoman. On the other side, the protagonist Takizawa Kazuma, a washed-up pro swordsman, competes in underground Jindou matches to make ends meet. One day, these two who were born and lived in completely different worlds had a fateful meeting. "Kazuma-san, your swordsmanship is the real deal. Fight with us in the Daihouen and let's make it to the top!" "...yeah. If we could that'd be great" The pair, captivated by Jindou, are drawn to each other's swordsmanship and seek each other. With Takizawa Komari and Hanabusa Palvi joining Team White Wolf too, they eventually make big waves on the stage of the Daihouen. If they win, glory awaits. If they lose, they fall from grace. With their beliefs held in their breasts, the swordsmen step out into a battle they can't afford to lose in the intense world of pros. Swordsmen live in the moment. The "moment" you let slip will never come back-- in which case, set your soul alight. We've seen a lot of CRYSTALiA stories already, and they aren't story heavy or particularly good. This  one has numerous flaws, but it's still and action story in futuristic setting which is still better for me than most charage.   6. The 257th Element [240223] REAL co.Ltd 1 A time not too far from now. To find a solution for the food problem caused by a growing population, every country has been investing huge budgets into scientific research to increase every single mass with as limited time and energy as possible. As a result, new elements the 119th and beyond were discovered and created one after another, and finally, a genius scientist in Tokyo named Hikojuro Araki succeeded in creating the 256th element, Araraginium, which is a dreamy element that creates every being out of nothingness. However, at the very moment when the first experiment in the world to create Araraginium just began, by an unexpected accident, it diffused all over Tokyo and disappeared. A few days later, appalling incidents started happening all of a sudden, all-over Tokyo; people who were thought to be dead started emerging back to life as if they had never been dead, not even once. They all had a memory before their death, and actually, were those who passed away during the time period between the accident and 72 hours before that. Due to their relevance with the accident, those people were called Araragi Human. This story takes place several years after this in Tokyo… Game is localized and has English reviews.
  16. kivandopulus

    Anime of the Year 2016-III Summer - Berserk

    By kivandopulus,


    Anime of the Year
    Berserk of 2016 is the winner for me. New Game! is a nice game creation SOL.   1. Mob Psycho 100 モブサイコ100  [Bones] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Super Power Action, Comedy, Supernatural Eighth-grader Shigeo "Mob" Kageyama has tapped into his inner wellspring of psychic prowess at a young age. But the power quickly proves to be a liability when he realizes the potential danger in his skills. Choosing to suppress his power, Mob's only present use for his ability is to impress his longtime crush, Tsubomi, who soon grows bored of the same tricks. In order to effectuate control on his skills, Mob enlists himself under the wing of Arataka Reigen, a con artist claiming to be a psychic, who exploits Mob's powers for pocket change. Now, exorcising evil spirits on command has become a part of Mob's daily, monotonous life. However, the psychic energy he exerts is barely the tip of the iceberg; if his vast potential and unrestrained emotions run berserk, a cataclysmic event that would render him completely unrecognizable will be triggered. The progression toward Mob's explosion is rising and attempting to stop it is futile. Dropped earlier and only finished it now because heard how funny and action-packed it is. And it does not look like that to me. Action segments are typical for shounens, and humor is not really good and very situational and weird. Can't get to like it and will definitely skip further seasons.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Shokugeki no Souma: Ni no Sara Food Wars! The Second Plate 食戟のソーマ 弍ノ皿 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Shounen School Gourmet, Ecchi The qualifiers of the Autumn Elections are now over, and only eight talented chefs remain. Now, they face off in one-on-one food wars, each with their own unique themes. Met with both new judges and new opponents all with their own specialties, Souma must stay on his toes if he hopes to make it to the top of both the Autumn Elections and Tootsuki Culinary Academy. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. ReLIFE  [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 13/13) Tags: School Drama, Romance Dismissed as a hopeless loser by those around him, 27-year-old Arata Kaizaki bounces around from one job to another after quitting his first company. His unremarkable existence takes a sharp turn when he meets Ryou Yoake, a member of the ReLife Research Institute, who offers Arata the opportunity to change his life for the better with the help of a mysterious pill. Taking it without a second thought, Arata awakens the next day to find that his appearance has reverted to that of a 17-year-old. Arata soon learns that he is now the subject of a unique experiment and must attend high school as a transfer student for one year. Though he initially believes it will be a cinch due to his superior life experience, Arata is proven horribly wrong on his first day: he flunks all his tests, is completely out of shape, and can't keep up with the new school policies that have cropped up in the last 10 years. Furthermore, Ryou has been assigned to observe him, bringing Arata endless annoyance. ReLIFE follows Arata's struggle to adjust to his hectic new lifestyle and avoid repeating his past mistakes, all while slowly discovering more about his fellow classmates. It starts well, but moves monotonously in the same dull manner on and on. So everything depends on whether you get to like characters, and I did not.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Orange オレンジ [Telecom Animation Film] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Shoujo Love Polygon, School, Time Travel Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi Naho Takamiya's first day of her sophomore year of high school is off to an uneasy start. After waking up late, she receives a strange letter addressed to her. However, the letter is from herself—10 years in the future! At first, Naho is skeptical of the note; yet, after witnessing several events described to take place, she realizes the letter really is from her 26-year-old self. The note details that Naho's future life is filled with regrets, and she hopes that her younger self can correct the mistakes that were made in the past. The letter also warns her to keep a close eye on the new transfer student, Kakeru Naruse. Naho must be especially careful in making decisions involving him, as Kakeru is not around in the future. With the letter as her guide, Naho now has the power to protect Kakeru before she comes to regret it once more. Lots of puppy romance and naivete. Pretentious and fake, very similar to ReLIFE in that.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. 91 Days  [Shuka] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Historical, Organized Crime Action, Drama As a child living in the town of Lawless, Angelo Lagusa has witnessed a tragedy: his parents and younger brother have been mercilessly slaughtered by the Vanetti mafia family. Losing everything he holds dear, he leaves both his name and hometown behind, adopting the new identity of Avilio Bruno. Seven years later, Avilio finally has his chance for revenge when he receives a mysterious letter prompting him to return to Lawless. Obliging, he soon encounters the Vanetti don's son, Nero, and seeks to befriend him using the skills he has quietly honed for years. Set during the Prohibition era, 91 Days tells the story of Avilio's dark, bloodstained path to vengeance, as he slowly ends each of the men involved in the killing of his family. Good mafia setting, but I've seen a lot of these, so I'm not impressed easily. Characters play their roles, but lack distinctive personality. There's not enough engagement.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Nanatsu no Taizai: Seisen no Shirushi The Seven Deadly Sins: Signs of Holy War 七つの大罪 聖戦の予兆 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/4) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Fantasy The Seven Deadly Sins, along with Elizabeth Liones and Hawk, have won the Kingdom of Leones back from the Holy Knights. At long last, it's their time to indulge in the peaceful lives they fought for. From inedible meat pies, overdue battles, unexpected stalkers, and the butterflies of first love, the Sins are accompanied by their friends in their carefree, fun-filled time together. However, the calm is broken with the premonition of a new threat, bringing upon the signs of Holy War and threatening to shatter the peace of the Sins' easygoing days. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. New Game!  [Doga Kobo] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Adult Cast, CGDCT, Otaku Culture, Workplace Comedy Since childhood, Aoba Suzukaze has loved the Fairies Story game series, particularly the character designs. So when she graduates from high school, it is no surprise that she applies to work at Eagle Jump, the company responsible for making her favorite video game. On her first day, she is excited to learn that she will be working on a new installment to the series: Fairies Story 3—and even more so under Kou Yagami, the lead character designer. In their department are people who share the same passion for games. There is Yun Iijima, whose specialty is designing monsters; the shy Hifumi Takimoto, who prefers to communicate through instant messaging; Hajime Shinoda, an animation team member with an impressive figurine collection; Rin Tooyama, the orderly art director; Shizuku Hazuki, the game director who brings her cat to work; and Umiko Ahagon, the short-tempered head programmer. New Game! follows Aoba and the others on their adventure through the ups and downs of game making, from making the perfect character design to fixing all the errors that will inevitably accumulate in the process. It's a nice anime about developing a professional game, so it fits me quite ok. Even though there's no story, characters are quite good, on par with Shirobako, so game can be enjoyed, at least I finished it back then, so can't deny it a masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 7/10   8. Berserk Berserk (2016) ベルセルク [Millepensee, GEMBA] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Gore, Military Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Horror Now branded for death and destined to be hunted by demons until the day he dies, Guts embarks on a journey to defy such a gruesome fate, as waves of beasts relentlessly pursue him. Steeling his resolve, he takes up the monstrous blade Dragonslayer and vows to exact vengeance on the one responsible, hunting down the very man he once looked up to and considered a friend. Along the way, he encounters some unlikely allies, such as a small elf named Puck, and Isidro, a young thief looking to learn swordsmanship from the former mercenary. As the ragtag group slowly comes together after having decided to join Guts in his quest, they will face incredible danger unlike anything they have ever experienced before. Can't say I detest drawing. For me arcs following Golden Age are just weaker, yet it never stopped being enjoyable for me.   Overall Rating: 8/10   9. Danganronpa 3: The End of Kibougamine Gakuen - Mirai-hen Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School - Future Arc ダンガンロンパ3 -The End of 希望ヶ峰学園- 未来編 [Lerche] (Finished 1/12) Tags: High Stakes Game, Psychological, Survival Action, Horror, Mystery After Makoto Naegi and his fellow survivors escaped Hope's Peak Academy to the world beyond, they soon join the Future Foundation, an organization dedicated to combating despair. Just when all seems to be looking up, Naegi is arrested and tried for betrayal due to defending a malicious group of Remnants of Despair. Standing before all of the Future Foundation executives, he finds himself, along with Kyouko Kirigiri and Aoi Asahina, facing an unknown fate. The matter at hand only escalates when the organization's supposedly impenetrable security is hacked into by a familiar face: Monokuma. Much to Naegi's horror, the mechanical bear immediately announces the beginning of a new killing game, as moments later, the first victim appears as a signal for despair to resume its brutal conquest. Naegi, the Super High School-Level Lucky Student, must once again unravel the mystery as his colleagues and friends begin falling around him. However, there are no more class trials; among the 16 desperate participants, there is only one killer—and their death means the end of this infernal game. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Tales of Zestiria the Cross Tales of Zestiria the X テイルズ オブ ゼスティリア ザ クロス [ufotable] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy  The Celestial Records speak of the existence of the "Seraphim," a race of divine beings who give blessings to humanity and are offered prayers by them in return. Those who are anointed with the ability to interact with these spirits are known as "Shepherds." Hailed as heroes for their prompt appearances in times of crisis, while also being feared for their power, the Shepherds are imprinted in common folklore along with the Seraphim. Sorey is a young human who has spent his entire life living in harmony alongside the Seraphim in the village of Elysia. Fascinated by the myths of the Celestial Records, he explores some nearby ruins with Mikleo—his childhood Seraphim companion—hoping to enlighten himself about the Seraphims' history with mankind. Unfortunately, they become trapped in the depths of the historical site during their investigation. While searching for an exit, they come across a mysterious girl who desperately seeks the help of a Shepherd to save the world, which is on the brink of being consumed by darkness. Despite Mikleo's warning about making contact with other humans, Sorey decides to help the stranger, which unknowingly leads him closer to the dream of peaceful coexistence between man and Seraphim. Found it very mundane and slow and boring.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Nejimaki Seirei Senki: Tenkyou no Alderamin Alderamin on the Sky ねじ巻き精霊戦記 天鏡のアルデラミン [Madhouse] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Military Action, Adventure, Fantasy Ikta Solork is a carefree young man who only wants two things in life: a woman on his arm and a place to nap. Unfortunately, his peaceful life is destroyed when war breaks out between the Katjvarna Empire and the neighboring Republic of Kioka. Ikta and his childhood friend, Yatorishino Igsem, join the army as military officers, where they meet the infantryman Matthew Tetojirichi, the sniper Torway Remion, and the medic Haroma Becker on a boat heading for the military exam site. However, after a rogue storm sinks their vessel, the five of them end up in enemy territory near a military outpost. There, they discover that the heir to the Katjvarnan throne, Princess Chamille Kitora Katjvanmaninik, has been taken hostage. The five are able to rescue her, and as a reward, each one of them is granted the title of Imperial Knight—one of the highest honors a soldier can receive. It seems that Ikta will have to put his dream of tranquility on hold, as he must now become the hero he never wanted to be. Watched it before and could never understand what it appeals to. It's average in everything but maybe battles. It's not realistic and not immersive, which results in just a dull story.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Amaama to Inazuma Sweetness & Lightning 甘々と稲妻 [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen Childcare, Iyashikei Gourmet, Slice of Life Since the death of his wife, Kouhei Inuzuka has been caring for his young daughter Tsumugi to the best of his abilities. However, with his lack of culinary knowledge and his busy job as a teacher, he is left relying on ready-made meals from convenience stores to feed the little girl. Frustrated at his own incapability to provide a fresh, nutritious meal for his daughter, Kouhei takes up an offer from his student, Kotori Iida, to come have dinner at her family's restaurant. But on their very first visit, the father and daughter discover that the restaurant is often closed due to Kotori's mother being away for work and that Kotori often eats alone. After much pleading from his pupil, Kouhei decides to continue to go to the restaurant with Tsumugi to cook and share delicious homemade food with Kotori. Amaama to Inazuma follows the heartwarming story of a caring father trying his hardest to make his adorable little daughter happy, while exploring the meanings and values behind cooking, family, and the warm meals at home that are often taken for granted. Childcare SOL is nice, but each episode is devoted to the different gourmet theme, and I can't enjoy that without more distinctive story like in Souma.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Kono Bijutsu-bu ni wa Mondai ga Aru! This Art Club Has a Problem! この美術部には問題がある！ [feel.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen School, Visual Arts Comedy, Romance Mizuki Usami is a passionate member of her school's art club, but the club has a problem—Usami is the only member who takes her craft seriously! The lazy club president constantly sleeps through activities and Collette hasn't regularly attended club activities in quite some time. Uchimaki Subaru, despite being an exceptional artist who could win an award if he tried, is obsessed with drawing the perfect 2D wife. Light-hearted and comedic in tone, Kono Bijutsubu ni wa Mondai ga Aru! follows Usami as she struggles to do art club-like activities, often obstructed by her motley crew of good-for-nothings and her distracting crush on Subaru. Without serious realistic characters it's yet another culture club romcom, only enjoyable if you have not seen too many of them yet.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Handa-kun はんだくん [Diomedéa] (Finished 3/12)   Tags: Shounen School, Visual Arts Comedy Hated by everyone around him, Sei Handa goes about his high school life regarded as an outcast—or at least that is what he believes. In reality, Handa is the most popular student on campus, revered by all for his incomparable calligraphy skills, good looks, and cool personality. However, due to an endless series of misunderstandings, Handa perceives the worship he receives from his legions of fans as bullying, leading the school's idol to shut himself off from the rest of his classmates. But distancing himself from his peers does not deter them from adoring him; in fact, his attempts at drawing attention away from himself often end up unintentionally converting even the most skeptical of students into believers. Fashion models, shut-in delinquents, obsessive fangirls, and more—none can stand against the brilliance that is Sei Handa. Variation of Sakamoto Desu Ga nonsense comedy. Watchable, but it's too silly for me to care.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Masou Gakuen HxH Hybrid x Heart Magias Academy Ataraxia 魔装学園H×H [Production IMS] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem, School Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi, Ecchi  Hida Kizuna possesses the HHG (Heart Hybrid Gear) ability, but it is not strong enough to make him particularly important. His older sister calls him to transfer to a strategic defense school, where many of the students (many of which are large-breasted girls) use their HHG abilities to fight invaders from another world while wearing extremely skimpy pilot outfits. Kizuna's fighting ability doesn't measure up, but his sister has another plan—apparently having erotic experiences with Kizuna will allow the girls to replenish their energy or power-up. It looks like his new school life is going to be full of embarrassment. Typical ecchi harem with fighting, as banal as possible.   Overall Rating: 5/10   16. Taboo Tattoo タブー・タトゥー [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen Martial Arts, Super Power Action, Supernatural Seigi, a martial arts trained middle schooler, often feels driven to protect the weaker people around him. One day, he defends a homeless man against some punks, and the man gives him a strange tattoo on his palm in return. The tattoo is a secret weapon produced in the arms race between America and the Serinistan Kingdom. Seigi finds himself in over his head when a powerful girl, using the same secret weapon, violently pursues him in order to retrieve it. His skill at martial arts may not be enough to keep him alive, but will he be able to learn how to trigger the power of his tattoo in time? Just senseless fighting action without anything decent to .   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Servamp SERVAMP（サーヴァンプ） [Brain's Base, Platinum Vision] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Josei Vampire Action, Fantasy Mahiru Shirota firmly believes that simple is best and troublesome things should be avoided at all costs. It is troublesome to do nothing and regret it later—and this ideology has led the 15-year-old to pick up a stray cat on his way home from school. As he affectionately names the feline Kuro, little does he know that this chance meeting will spark an extraordinary change in his everyday life. One day, Mahiru returns home to find something quite strange: a mysterious young man he has never seen before. His subsequent panic results in the uninvited guest being exposed to sunlight and—much to Mahiru's shock—transforming into Kuro! Upon revealing himself as a mere lazy shut-in vampire, Kuro promises to leave once night falls. However, one disaster after another leads to Mahiru accidentally forming a contract with his new freeloader, dragging him into a life-threatening battle of supernatural servants and bloodthirsty beings that is anything but simple. Empty story with poor characters and presentation.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Rewrite リライト [8bit] (Finished 13/13) Tags: School Action, Comedy, Romance, Supernatural Kazamatsuri, a modern, well-developed city renowned for its burgeoning greenery and rich Japanese culture, is home to Kotarou Tennouji, a high schooler least privy to the place's shared values. Content to fill his pockets with frivolity, the proud and nosey boy whiles away his time pestering the self-proclaimed delinquent Haruhiko, and indulging in his amorous feelings toward the oddball Kotori. Equipped with the superhuman ability to permanently rewrite any part of his body to multiply his strength or speed, Kotarou is naturally drawn to the supernatural. One special meeting with the lone member and president of the Occult Research Club, the "Witch" Akane Senri, leads to Kotarou reviving the Occult Club by recruiting Kotori and three other members: the clumsy transfer student Chihaya, the strict class representative Lucia, and the unassuming Shizuru. As Kotarou unveils hidden secrets of each member of the Occult Club through their shared adventures, he will inevitably encounter a fate that only he might be able to rewrite. I finished anime in the past just because VN is totally unbearable. And Rewrite is horrible in every possible way. It's a difficult task to make the world worse by creating something, and Rewrite manages to get this achievement.   Overall Rating: 5/10   19. Yi Ren Zhi Xia Hitori no Shita - The Outcast 一人之下 THE OUTCAST [Namu Animation] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Super Power Action, Supernatural  When university student Zhang Chulan returns to his home village, he is devastated to learn that his grandfather Zhang Xilin's grave has been desecrated. As he investigates the cemetery in search for clues, he is attacked by a tomb raider using the false identity of Zhang Xilin's granddaughter. Left to die in a swarm of zombies summoned by the person who spirited his grandfather's body away, Zhang Chulan manages to escape thanks to qi, the power that his grandfather taught him. When Zhang Chulan returns to his uneventful student life, he is shocked to again meet the tomb raider, Feng Baobao, who condemned him to a grim fate. Affiliated with a state organization tasked with handling outcasts known as qi wielders, Baobao forces him to join a delivery company that acts as a front for their true pursuits. As various factions clash to seize the mysterious power Zhang Chulan is said to have inherited from his grandfather, the young man must learn how to choose his allies if he wants to survive in this dangerous world of outcasts. First big Chinese anime with global targeting. A decent action that fails to get anywhere after initial stage setting.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Qualidea Code クオリディア・コード [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Super Power Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi On a quiet and peaceful day, the skies split open and extradimensional beings, designated as the Unknown, launch a swift and brutal attack against humanity. To protect the future of the country, all of Japan's children are cryogenically frozen until the end of the war to keep them out of harm's way. Several years pass, and humanity has established a foothold in a corner of Japan, which now serves as the frontline of the war. No longer facing humanity's extinction, the children are awakened from their slumber. It is then discovered that, while in cryogenesis, the children had developed Worlds, supernatural powers unique to each person. The six most powerful children are given command of the reclaimed cities, using their powers to defend the strongholds against the continuing invasion. Childhood friends Ichiya Suzaku and Canaria Utara lead Tokyo, siblings Kasumi and Asuha Chigusa manage Chiba, and Maihime Tenkawa and Hotaru Rindou oversee Kanagawa. Over time, the almost routine attacks from the Unknown and the clashing personalities of the city heads and subheads cultivate petty rivalries, leading to constant arguments between the three cities. With the Unknown suddenly increasing the pressure of their attacks, the three cities' leaders must learn how to work together or risk losing the last line of defense against humanity's extinction. It's done in a very plain and cliché way which buries any attempt to tell a story.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. D.Gray-man Hallow ディー・グレイマン ハロー [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shounen Mythology, Super Power Action, Adventure, Fantasy Despite the recent Akuma attack, the members of the Black Order are in high spirits as they set about moving to a new base. Immediately upon his arrival, however, Allen Walker is suddenly called by the Central Agency and has his arm forcefully sealed by the Order. He is then led to a surprising meeting with his master, General Cross Marian, who reveals staggering secrets surrounding the enigmatic 14th Noah. A phantom thief incident, the arrival of a mysterious group of Exorcists, the death of an important comrade, and an all-out battle against the Noah Family—just what does this mean for Allen, Yuu Kanda, and the rest of the Order? This is but the beginning of a series of strange, seemingly unconnected events that lead to something far greater. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Love Live! Sunshine!! ラブライブ！サンシャイン!! [ Sunrise] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Idols (Female), Music, School Slice of Life Chika Takami, a self-proclaimed normal girl, has never been involved in any clubs and lacked any notable talents. However, after a visit to Tokyo, she discovers a stage where even an ordinary girl like her could shine—the world of school idols. Inspired by the former superstar school idol group μ's, Chika is determined to start her own school idol club in her seaside hometown at Uranohoshi Girl's High School. But even before gathering any students to join the group, the aspiring school idol finds her greatest obstacle to be student council president Dia Kurosawa who stands firmly against the creation of the club. Just when it seems there is no hope, Chika meets Riko Sakurauchi, a transfer student from Otonokizaka High School, home of μ's. Somewhat shy but a talented piano player, Chika believes her to be a promising recruit, though convincing her to join is easier said than done. In spite of that, Chika chooses to charge forward and overcome the obstacles keeping her from forming a school idol group that shines as bright as the nine that came before her. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Days (TV)  [MAPPA] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shounen School, Team Sports The series is about two boys named Tsukushi and Jin. Tsukushi is a boy with no special talent or traits while Jin is considered a soccer genius. On one stormy night, Jin meets Tsukushi, and they get dragged into the world of soccer. I just don't care about spokons, especially pure masculine ones.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Arslan Senki (TV): Fuujin Ranbu The Heroic Legend of Arslan: Dust Storm Dance アルスラーン戦記 風塵乱舞 [LIDENFILMS] (Finished 1/8) Tags: Shounen Historical, Military Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy Continuing on his quest to retake Ecbatana, Prince Arslan and his company march toward the city. But upon receiving news that the neighboring Kingdom of Turan is launching an assault on the Parsian stronghold at Peshawar Citadel, the prince is forced to turn back in order to defend the fortress. Amid holding off the invading forces, the Parsian army is met by an unexpected visitor. As Arslan returns to Peshawar, Prince Hermes takes a slight detour from his clash against his cousin to search for the legendary sword Rukhnabad, which would grant him the right to rule and take back what he believes is rightfully his. However, after unearthing the lost artifact, the blade is stolen by the Temple Knights of Lusitania, prompting the masked warrior to give chase. Meanwhile in Ecbatana, the captive King Andragoras III finds an opportunity to strike and begins to make his move. As the separate sides of the Parsian royal conflict clash, Arslan's right to the throne falls under attack. But no matter the obstacles in their way, the young prince and his loyal band of warriors charge forward to restore Pars to its former glory. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Fukigen na Mononokean The Morose Mononokean 不機嫌なモノノケ庵 [Pierrot Plus] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Mythology Comedy, Supernatural The start of Hanae Ashiya's high school career has not been easy—he has spent all of the first week in the infirmary, and his inexplicable condition is only getting worse. The cause of his torment is the mysterious fuzzy creature that has attached itself to him ever since he stumbled upon it the day before school began. As his health continues to decline and the creature grows in size, Hanae comes across a flyer advertising an exorcist who expels youkai. Desperate and with nothing left to lose, he calls the number and is led to the Mononokean, a tea room which suddenly appears next to the infirmary. A morose-sounding man, Haruitsuki Abeno, reluctantly helps Hanae but demands payment afterward. Much to Hanae's dismay, he cannot afford the fee and must become an employee at the Mononokean to work off his debt. And to make things worse, his new boss is actually one of his classmates. If Hanae ever hopes to settle his debt, he must work together with Abeno to guide a variety of dangerous, strange, and interesting youkai back to the Underworld. Not a fan of youkai, and this anime is not making an effort to keep interest.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya 3rei!! Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya 3rei!! Fate/kaleid liner プリズマ☆イリヤ 3rei!! [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Comedy, Fantasy Waking up to find herself in a parallel version of Fuyuki City, Illyasviel "Illya" von Einzbern is lost and alone. She discovers her home in ruins, with a massive crater lying in the center of her hometown. With snow falling in the middle of summer, confusion consumes the young elementary schooler, who has no knowledge of where her friends or her wand Ruby may be. Making it to the remains of her house, she is suddenly tackled by an amnesiac girl. Wearing a gym uniform as the icy temperature sets in, the mysterious girl has no idea of where she is or why she showed up. However, this stranger, known as Tanaka, apparently has information about the location of Rin Toosaka, Miyu Edelfelt, and the rest of Illya's missing friends. Fleeing from agents of the Ainsworth family⁠—those in control of this parallel realm—where will these two end up, and how will Illya restore the present back to the world she once knew? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Hatsukoi Monster First Love Monster 初恋モンスター [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shoujo School Comedy, Romance Freshman Kaho Nikaidou is from an influential family, and as such, no one has ever said anything even remotely mean to her, for fear of incurring her household's wrath. Wishing to be around people who will not treat her as special because of her background, she leaves home to live at a dormitory for her new school year. Shortly after arriving, Kaho accidentally wanders into traffic and is saved by a tall, handsome stranger. When she asks for his name, he tells her she is weird and walks away. Having finally met the only person to ever say an unkind word to her, Kaho falls head over heels for her savior. After meeting her rescuer yet again and discovering that his name is Kanade Takahashi, she confesses her love to him. Kanade says he would like for them to be a couple, but that Kaho may not want to date him after she finds out his secret. To her shock, Kaho discovers the startling truth: Kanade is a fifth grader! Deciding that she can't date a fifth grader, Kaho intends to break up with him. But as she spends more time with Kanade, she begins to care for him even more and continues dating him. Hatsukoi Monster follows Kaho's first steps into love with Kanade, her immature, yet kind, fifth grade boyfriend. Reverse harem is not marked properly. Again.   Overall Rating: 5/10   28. Amanchu! あまんちゅ！ [J.C.Staff] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen Iyashikei, School Slice of Life Originally from a big city, Futaba Ooki spends most days cataloguing her life through pictures on her phone. Upon moving to a seaside town, she gazes out over the vast expanse of sea and quickly becomes captivated by its endless possibilities. Unbeknownst to Futaba, her quiet contemplation catches the attention of local diving enthusiast Hikari Kohinata. Finding herself in the same class as Futaba the next day, Hikari is drawn to her quiet and shy demeanor and affectionately nicknames her Teko, sparking a tender friendship. Struggling to adapt to the change of pace in her life, Futaba finds herself strung along by Hikari's vast energy and passion for diving. Together, they join the school diving club, led by their homeroom teacher Mato Katori. With Hikari by her side, Futaba works to earn her diving certification while experiencing new friendships and possibilities. A normal girly SOL with attempts into comedy and with completely out of place Iyashikei. It gets really repetitive and boring.   Overall Rating: 5/10   29. Cheer Danshi!! Cheer Boys!! チア男子!! [Brain's Base] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Adult Cast, Performing Arts Sports After suffering from a shoulder injury, shy first-year university student Haruki Bandou gladly takes the opportunity to give up judo, failing to find happiness in the sport regardless of his family owning a dojo. He did not expect, however, that his best friend Kazuma Hashimoto would also decide to leave their university's judo club at the same time as him. Despite Haruki's protests, Kazuma already has plans for a new and revolutionary activity: a cheerleading team made up of only men. Although heavily reluctant, Haruki ends up helping his friend set up the team. Through sheer determination, and with support from their newfound club members, Haruki and Kazuma persist in founding the Breakers, the first ever all-male cheerleading team of Meishiin University, slowly making history in spite of the feminine tag attached to the sport of cheerleading and the prejudices, physical challenges, and self-doubts that inevitably follow. I'd block all that cheerful boys SOL if there was a suitable tag for it.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Ange Vierge アンジュ・ヴィエルジュ [SILVER LINK., Connect] (Finished 3/12) Tags: School Adventure, Fantasy The story of the card game follows what happens when "Hairou" portals suddenly open, fusing five different worlds together. As a result, various mysterious "Exceed" powers are awakened in teenaged girls. An academy for these so-called "Progress" girls is built on the isolated Seiran Island in the Pacific. Superpower girls who need stimulation is such a banal concept that I'm surprised what all these silly ecchi even hope for.   Overall Rating: 5/10   31. Battery バッテリー [Zero-G] (Finished 1/11) Tags: Drama, Sports At only 12 years old, Takumi Harada is already hailed as a prodigious baseball pitcher. But when his family moves to the backwater town of Nitta, Takumi has no choice but to join his new school's unskilled baseball team. This development has little effect on the boy, as he believes it is more interesting if this no-name club becomes a powerhouse due to his presence. However, due to his overwhelming talent, Takumi is in need of a catcher able to keep up with his pitches. His worries are soon put to rest after meeting Gou Nagakura. As his fan and fellow student, Gou is eager to prove that he is not a simple braggart, but rather a player skillful enough to catch Takumi's pitches. Amid struggling to form a "battery" with Gou, Takumi comes into conflict with his new teammates due to his irreverent personality but grapples to find the true joy of the sport under his grandfather's guidance. Baseball spokon, so I could not care less.   Overall Rating: 5/10   32. Regalia: The Three Sacred Stars レガリア The Three Sacred Stars [Actas] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Mecha Action, Sci-Fi In the kingdom of Rimgarde, two mysterious giant robots begin a duel that erases nearly all human life before they disappear. Twelve years later, the young empress of Enastoria, Yuinshiel Asteria, works tirelessly to maintain both her authority and the support of her citizens. But the peace of Enastoria is threatened when survivors of Rimgarde arrive. Armed with giant robots called Regalia Gear, they look for Yuinshiel's adopted sister, Rena. The latter is forced to reveal herself as not just a Regalia Gear wielder, but a real "Regalia"—a human capable of transforming into a giant robot—and the culprit behind the fall of Rimgarde. Suddenly caught up in an international dispute, Yuinshiel must preserve the security of her country while also protecting Rena from those who wish to abuse her powers. However, by fighting for her sister, Yuinshiel risks triggering the same calamity that once destroyed Rimgarde. Amid such a precarious situation, the two girls push their bond to its limits as they fight not only for themselves but for the world's safety as well. Just little girls fighting in mecha, not much sense in all this.   Overall Rating: 5/10   33. Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu LOVE! LOVE! Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE! LOVE! 美男高校地球防衛部LOVE！LOVE！ [Studio Comet] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Parody, School Comedy After pulling the plug on the space reality TV show "Can I Destroy the Earth? 2," the Defense Club and the Conquest Club return to their peaceful high school lives. Time has passed since that fearsome battle, and it's now autumn. The five Defense Club members have stopped serving as the Battle Lovers, and are enjoying a soak in the Kurotama Bath like always, when the Conquest Club broaches a subject that will change a great deal about events to come... Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   34. Active Raid: Kidou Kyoushuushitsu Dai Hachi Gakari 2nd Active Raid Second アクティヴレイド　－機動強襲室第八係－ 2nd [Production IMS] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Adult Cast, Mecha Action, Sci-Fi Set in a part of Tokyo that has descended into a quagmire, the story follows Unit 8 of the 5th Special Public Security Section's 3rd Mobile Assault Division, popularly called "The Eighth," who don powered armor "Willwear" exoskeletons to counter the rise in crime. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   35. Time Travel Shoujo: Mari Waka to 8-nin no Kagakusha-tachi Time Travel Girl タイムトラベル少女～マリ・ワカと8人の科学者たち～ [WAO World] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Time Travel Adventure, Sci-Fi Time Travel Shoujo is based on a 1983 book titled Jishaku to Denki no Hatsumei Hakken Monogatari by Japanese educator Kiyonobu Itakura. It is part of the Hatsumei Hakken Monogatari Zenshuu series which describes the story of various scientific discoveries and inventions throughout history. The 1983 book focuses on discoveries related to magnetism and electricity. Can't appreciate SOL about past epoch, especially about inventions like Tesla etc, so it's not for me, but at least something unusual.   Overall Rating: 6/10   36. Mahou Shoujo? Naria☆Girls Mahou Shoujo? Naria Girls 魔法少女? なりあ☆がーるず [Bouncy] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Mahou Shoujo After the Ice Queen brings eternal winter to the land of Nariadia, the only hope to restore balance is to gather human warriors and give them the power of Naria crystals. For this reason, Animaru has chosen the middle schoolers Urara, Inaho, and Hanabi as warriors. The girls, however, are much more focused on mocking the events happening around them and trying to earn money as idols. When the Ice Queen's familiars appear, they use the "Ice Mirror" to trick the girls into performing ridiculous skits. Will Urara, Inaho, and Hanabi ever step up and embrace their roles as magical girls, or will their antics prove too distracting to themselves? CGI empty talk.   Overall Rating: 4/10   37. Quanzhi Fashi Full-Time Magister 全职法师 [Foch Films] (Finished 12/12) Tags: School Action, Fantasy The aloof high schooler Mo Fan has found himself in a universe similar yet distinctly different from his own mundane one; it is a place where magic has replaced the essence of science. Here, the most capable students are taught to master the wonders of spellworking to fend off large devastating beasts that lurk in the forests surrounding the city. Like his previous life, Mo Fan remains the son of a poor laborer and the older step-brother to a crippled sister. Despite these disadvantages, he dreams of attending a magic school to become a magician—a highly respected and lucrative trade—in order to repay his father for his hard work. Mo Fan is accepted into a renowned magic institution. However, rumors spread about his poverty and lack of magical ability, labeling him as the laughing stock of the school. Nonetheless, Mo Fan manages to harness not only the powerful fire element, but also the rare lightning element! Now armed with dual abilities, what dangerous encounters will the versatile mage face? It has its flaws as Chinese shorter length ONA compared to normal episodes, but the vibe of "Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon" is here. Basically, there is potential, but with such slow pace there has not been anything worthwhile in the first season. I'll keep watching further, but what we have by this point definitely can't be called any kind of masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 6/10   38. Shuangsheng Lingtan Twin Spirit Detectives 双生灵探 [B.CMAY PICTURES] (Finished 1/20) Tags: Psychological Mystery There is always more to the world than meets the eye. This is the motto that twin brothers Sun Xiaotu and Sun Xiaohu follow in their lives as paranormal investigators, where what may be terrifying to some is just another day at work. Normally, it is simple for them to separate their daily lives from their job, but when they go to investigate a seemingly typical haunting of a pair of twins, a series of bizarre events throw their perception of the supernatural world into question as they become a target of the hauntings themselves. The further the brothers search for answers to the paranormal mysteries thrown at them, the hazier the lines between truth and fiction become. Through the challenging and sometimes dangerous adventures ahead, one question remains: what kind of secrets are the ghosts trying to hide from them, and are they already more connected to the spirits than they originally thought? Mystery spirit detectives is the royal flash of red flags for me. Don't see much sense in this.   Overall Rating: 5/10   39. Zhanguo Fan The Seven Warring States Fan 战国FAN [2:10 AM Animation] (Finished 1/15) Tags: Martial Arts, Super Power Fantasy - Not translated. Full CGI wuxia, and that's more than enough for me to stop.   Overall Rating: 5/10   40. Mahoutsukai no Yome: Hoshi Matsu Hito The Ancient Magus' Bride: Those Awaiting a Star 魔法使いの嫁 星待つひと [Wit Studio] (Finished 3/3) Tags: Shounen Drama, Fantasy  Angelica sends Chise some magic supplies including a present. The present turns out to be a book Chise read in her childhood. Elias asks Chise to tell him the story behind the book. Chise tells him about Miura-san and the mysterious library she found in the forest as a child. Pretentious slow pseudo-philosophical romanticized mess.   Overall Rating: 6/10   41. Under the Dog  [Kinema Citrus, Orange] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Sci-Fi, Suspense The year is 2025. Five years have passed since the Tokyo Olympic Games were called off after deadly terrorist attacks. An international school run by the United Nations now stands in the former Olympic site on the edge of Tokyo Bay. Seven teenagers with special abilities, known as "Flowers," are among the students. Their student identities are only a cover for their real identities as members of an intelligence organization run by the UN. Their objective is to assassinate other teenagers who have the same abilities. The Flowers have no choice but to complete their missions without fail. Their organization has taken their family members hostage to ensure this. For the Flowers, failure would mean death not only for themselves but also for their loved ones. This is the story of their struggle against cruel fate, and of how it is human nature to find hope, however bleak the outlook. It's only 30 minutes long. Don't think survival reaction story was worth the croudfunding.   Overall Rating: 6/10   42. Kimi no Na wa. Your Name. 君の名は。 [CoMix Wave Films] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Romantic Subtext Award Winning, Drama, Supernatural Mitsuha Miyamizu, a high school girl, yearns to live the life of a boy in the bustling city of Tokyo—a dream that stands in stark contrast to her present life in the countryside. Meanwhile in the city, Taki Tachibana lives a busy life as a high school student while juggling his part-time job and hopes for a future in architecture. One day, Mitsuha awakens in a room that is not her own and suddenly finds herself living the dream life in Tokyo—but in Taki's body! Elsewhere, Taki finds himself living Mitsuha's life in the humble countryside. In pursuit of an answer to this strange phenomenon, they begin to search for one another. Kimi no Na wa. revolves around Mitsuha and Taki's actions, which begin to have a dramatic impact on each other's lives, weaving them into a fabric held together by fate and circumstance. Whispering, body swap, time shift, youthful bashfulness, long-distance relations, different dimensions travel, amnesia, death, basically suicide attempt - You Name throws at viewers all kinds of immature crap, so I'm very disappointed with the audience that can like it. Makes me so angry.   Overall Rating: 6/10   43. Koe no Katachi A Silent Voice 聲の形 [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Romantic Subtext Award Winning, Drama As a wild youth, elementary school student Shouya Ishida sought to beat boredom in the cruelest ways. When the deaf Shouko Nishimiya transfers into his class, Shouya and the rest of his class thoughtlessly bully her for fun. However, when her mother notifies the school, he is singled out and blamed for everything done to her. With Shouko transferring out of the school, Shouya is left at the mercy of his classmates. He is heartlessly ostracized all throughout elementary and middle school, while teachers turn a blind eye. Now in his third year of high school, Shouya is still plagued by his wrongdoings as a young boy. Sincerely regretting his past actions, he sets out on a journey of redemption: to meet Shouko once more and make amends. Koe no Katachi tells the heartwarming tale of Shouya's reunion with Shouko and his honest attempts to redeem himself, all while being continually haunted by the shadows of his past. Again disabled people in cringy situations. I don't see likeable characters here.   Overall Rating: 6/10   44. Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV [Square Enix Visual Works] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action  For years, the Niflheim Empire and the kingdom of Lucis have been at war. The empire, having dominated most of the world of Eos, covets the power of the last known Crystal, which is held in Lucis' capital city, Insomnia. In order to protect his people from these advancing forces, King Regis Lucis Caelum CXIII used the power of the Crystal to surround Insomnia with a magical wall. Along with this barrier, Regis assembled an elite military task force known as the Kingsglaive. By drawing their power from the king, the Kingsglaive protect Lucis' borders from the onslaught of the empire and other forces that would do them harm. One such member of the Kingsglaive is Nyx, a man nicknamed "The Hero" by his fellow warriors due to his arrogance and desire to save everyone. However, his pride gets the better of him, causing him to disobey his captain's orders, resulting in a demotion. Now, Nyx spends his days guarding the city gates, but things begin to change once word gets out that Regis plans to sign a peace treaty with their sworn enemies. Good flashy action movie with ill looking Luna Freya. Can't say it was enjoyable for me though as there's neither good story nor decent character interaction - just flashy chaos.   Overall Rating: 6/10   45. Da Yu Hai Tang (Movie) Big Fish & Begonia 大鱼海棠 [B&T] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure, Drama, Romance, Supernatural  In an old mythical world, there reside spirit-like beings who oversee the natural order of the mortal realm. One of them, a young girl named Chun, has just come of age and must undergo her rite of passage by experiencing the human world for herself. While there, she gets caught in a fishing net during a storm and is rescued by a human boy. However, the boy ends up drowning during the incident, and Chun returns to her realm full of guilt. Afterwards, she meets the Soul Keeper and decides to revive the boy in exchange for a part of her lifespan. Little does she know, meddling with the natural order of the world has severe consequences. Da Yu Hai Tang is a story about sacrifice and redemption as Chun comes to terms with the limitations of her powers and deals with death, love, and her own emotions. She must decide if she will sacrifice everything to save the human boy or forsake her moral obligation for the order of the world. I see it as another Ghibli imitator. Youkai, magic, animals - all is here. Poor characters, hasty drama, weak story.   Overall Rating: 6/10   46. Seoul-yeok Seoul Station 서울역 [Studio Dadashow] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Horror, Suspense  Several groups of people try to survive a zombie pandemic that unleashes itself in downtown Seoul. Trashy zombie horror, nothing special.   Overall Rating: 5/10   47. Kaze no You ni 風のように [Ekura Animal] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama, Slice of Life Sanpei is a boy beekeeper and the sole survivor of an accident that killed his entire family. Sanpei meets Chiyo, a girl who gets stung by a bee, and starts a new life in her village. Eventually, Sanpei cultivates the land that the villagers had abandoned, and then disappears. In the land now filled with flowers, Chiyo waits, believing Sanpei will return. Simple SOL in retro style as if from 60s.   Overall Rating: 5/10   48. Kai: Geoul Hosu-ui Jeonseol Kai: The Legend of Mirror Lake 카이: 거울 호수의 전설 [Studio Dadashow] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy Kai: Geoul Hosu-ui Jeonseol is an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen in a central Asian setting. In the grasslands of Central Asia, a brother and sister, Kai and Shamui are running through a snow-covered mountain and being chased by wolves. Suddenly, they get swept away by a massive avalanche, and only Kai gets rescued by their mother and the tribe. Shamui is lost in the icy lake of the notorious Snow Queen, Hattan. Just Korean extended version of fairy tale. I'm not fond of this genre.   Overall Rating: 6/10   49. Jue Ji L.O.R.D: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties 爵跡 [Original Force] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy  The Odin Mainland is separated into four countries, in each lives a group of soul masters protecting their county with their soul powers. The most powerful seven of them are known as Noble Lords. The story begins in the water origin, the Aslan Empire. Qi Ling has been a busboy in an inn since young and subconsciously tamed a legendary soul beast, Ice Fang in a battle between soul masters. Yin Chen (Kris Wu) came on orders of the Silver Priest to take him in as his disciple. With his help, Qi Ling heads to the Grave of the Souls to seek his soul weapon, yet as he couldn’t sit still like how his lord instructed him; he enters the Grave of the Souls with Tianshu You Hua and Guishan Lian Quan. Qi Ling thus become embroiled in the upcoming storm; a battle of soul powers between the lords. At the very same time, another conspiracy that has long been in the works within the Aslan Empire is gradually revealing itself. While searching for Qi Ling, Yin Chen found out that his master, the former 1st lord Gilgamesh may still be living, and thus risked his everything to began the search of his previous master. At the same time, the killing lords You Ming and Thalia received the silver priest's orders to kill Guishan Lian Quan and her brother, Guishen Feng Hun. A battle between the lords and disciples, in a fight for truth and honor, thus ensues. Some kind of Lord of the Rings imitation in my opinion, but with Korean flavor and spiritual pets. Feels alien to me.   Overall Rating: 6/10
  17. kivandopulus
    No big titles again, but among minor masterpieces I'd call Hanamaru Youchien and Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu   1. Durarara!! デュラララ!! [Brain's Base] (Finished 13/24) Tags: Action, Mystery, Supernatural  In Tokyo's downtown district of Ikebukuro, amidst many strange rumors and warnings of anonymous gangs and dangerous occupants, one urban legend stands out above the rest—the existence of a headless "Black Rider" who is said to be seen driving a jet-black motorcycle through the city streets. Mikado Ryuugamine has always longed for the excitement of the city life, and an invitation from a childhood friend convinces him to move to Tokyo. Witnessing the Black Rider on his first day in the city, his wishes already seem to have been granted. But as supernatural events begin to occur, ordinary citizens like himself, along with Ikebukuro's most colorful inhabitants, are mixed up in the commotion breaking out in their city. I only knew about it that it was about a motorcycle rider, and actually that was enough for me to skip it. But watching it now, it reminds Baccano the most, and I dropped every single work of Takahiro Omori that I ever encountered. Durarara feels to me like creation of a maximalist youth who initially just invented character concepts that would be cool and then those concepts met each other and just fared somehow. Durarara sits on a very shaky foundation of mystique, coolness, irrationality, surprise and eclectic stories with multiple characters. In other words, it's just silly immature show-off without much essence - thus a waste of time for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu Baka & Test - Summon the Beasts バカとテストと召喚獣  [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Love Polygon, School Comedy, Romance Fumizuki Academy isn't a typical Japanese high school. This unique institution has implemented a new and innovative system to sort its students. At the end of their freshman year, students take a test that divides up the student body. The highest scorers are placed into A class, all the way down until F class, for the lowest of the low. Unfortunately for Akihisa Yoshii, his supposedly "great" intellect wasn't quite enough for such a test, and he's now stuck at the bottom of F class. Naturally, F class has the worst facilities: not only rotten tatami mats and broken tables, but also outdated equipment and worn out furniture. On the bright side, his friend Yuuji Sakamoto is in the same class, and to everyone's surprise, the genius girl Mizuki Himeji has also ended up in the same class due to an unforeseen fever on the day of the test. Unsatisfied with their perquisites, F class rallies behind Yuuji, determined to take on the higher-tiered classes in order to seize their perks by using the school's Examinations Summon Battle system. The participants can summon fantasy characters—whose power levels are equal to their student's test scores—in an all-out battle. Will F class be able to rise to the top, or will they live up to everyone's expectations and fail? Baka to Test was advertised in Seitokai no Ichizon gag anime a lot, and now I know why - it's a similar gag comedy. It's filled with mostly baka humor that I can't get to like.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Katanagatari 刀語 [White Fox] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Historical, Martial Arts Action, Adventure, Romance In an Edo-era Japan lush with a variety of sword-fighting styles, Shichika Yasuri practices the most unique one: Kyotouryuu, a technique in which the user's own body is wielded as a blade. The enigmatic seventh head of the Kyotouryuu school, Shichika lives quietly in exile with his sister Nanami until one day—the wildly ambitious strategist Togame barges into their lives. Togame brazenly requests that Shichika help in her mission to collect twelve unique swords, known as the "Deviant Blades," for the shogunate. Shichika accepts, interested in the girl herself rather than petty politics, and thus sets out on a journey. Standing in their way are the fierce wielders of these legendary weapons as well as other power-hungry entities who seek to thwart Togame's objective. In order to prevail against their enemies, the duo must become an unbreakable team as they forge ahead on a path of uncertainty and peril. Needed to watch it since it's from monogatari series and yet seemingly very different. And in fact it is similarly inventive in terms of personalities and SOL. But plot is just collecting blades with some sidetracking, and I can't say I enjoyed it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Seikon no Qwaser The Qwaser of Stigmata 聖痕のクェイサー [Hoods Entertainment] (Finished 3/24) Tags: Seinen Super Power Action, Supernatural, Ecchi When Tomo Yamanobe's father—the former headmaster of Saint Mikhailov Academy—disappeared, he left nothing behind except for a piece of art called the "icon." Soon after his disappearance, rumors of a serial killer attacking female students of the academy began to spread. As Tomo and her sister Mafuyu Oribe head home after being tormented at school, Tomo trips over an injured silver-haired boy who abruptly vanishes while being tended to. Mafuyu goes to look for him, only to discover that the church holding the icon is burning down. When she tries to save the painting, the rumored serial killer suddenly attacks her with a mysterious ability to control magnesium. Appearing out of nowhere, the silver-haired boy, who can control iron, rescues Mafuyu. Mafuyu finds out that the boy, named Alexander Nikolaevich "Sasha" Hell, is a "qwaser"—a being who is capable of controlling an element through the power of "soma," received through the act of breastfeeding. Confused by the ordeal, Mafuyu attempts to move past it with little luck, as Sasha transfers to her class the next day. What will become of Tomo and Mafuyu's normal school life with the danger of other qwasers looming close to them? This ecchi sucks, literally, as it's needed for super powers or something. First three episodes lack excitement and I don't see a good story here.   Overall Rating: 5/10   5. Omamori Himari まもりひまり [Zexcs] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, Mythology, School Action, Comedy, Romance, Supernatural, Ecchi After the death of his parents, Yuuto Amakawa lives a pretty ordinary life in the city. The only problem he has to worry about while attending school alongside Rinko, his next-door neighbor, is his cat allergies. That all changes on his sixteenth birthday, when an Ayakashi—a supernatural creature—attacks him for the sins of his ancestors. Luckily, he is saved by Himari, a mysterious cat-woman with a sword, who explains that Yuuto is the scion of a family of demon-slayers, and she is there to protect him now that the charm that kept him hidden from the supernatural forces of the world has lost its power. Omamori Himari chronicles Yuuto's dealings with the various forces of the supernatural world, as well as the growing number of women that show up on his doorstep, each with their own dark desires. Will Yuuto be able to adjust to his new "exciting" environment? Or will the ghost of his (ancestor's) past catch up with him? A rather generic ecchi harem with some fighting.   Overall Rating: 5/10   6. Dance in the Vampire Bund ダンスインザヴァンパイアバンド [Shaft] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Vampire Action, Drama, Romance, Supernatural On live television, Mina Tepes, the ruler of all vampires, reveals the existence of her species to the world and states her plan to build a sanctuary in Japan for vampires, called the Vampire Bund. Using her family's wealth to pay off the nation's debt, they have agreed to let her build this safe-haven for her fellow creatures of the night. But not everyone is so easily swayed by Mina's influence, as her announcement brings about conflict with humans who believe that the queen's quest for peace is a façade. Akira Kaburagi does not believe in vampires and gets uneasy whenever they are brought up, although he has yet to realize why. Apart from suffering a head injury a year ago, he lives on blissfully until he meets Mina. She triggers within him memories of a life he had long forgotten, and he soon begins protecting her without understanding why. But Akira's secret is far stranger than he could have ever thought possible—he discovers that he is a werewolf, sworn from birth to protect the vampire queen, even if it costs him his life. Now, as these two dance a rondo of death in the Vampire Bund, Mina and Akira find out just how deep their bond goes. Not sure whether I like it or not. The ideas of de-masquerade and modern covenant are great, but I just consider vampires boring as a whole, and no great conflict was paved as a result.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Ladies versus Butlers! れでぃ×ばと! [Xebec] (Finished 5/12) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Hino Akiharu lost his parents when he was small and was adopted into his uncle's family. He didn't want to be a burden on his uncle's family and decides to enter a free boarding school as a butler, Hakureiryou high school. However, his delinquent boy-like appearance frightens the girls, who make up the majority of the students. Unable to get along with the classmates, Akiharu meets his childhood crush Saikyou Tomomi. One of the most erotic ecchi up to this day, and I did not find any other advantages.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. So Ra No Wo To Sound of the Sky ソ・ラ・ノ・ヲ・ト [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Iyashikei, Military, Music Sci-Fi, Slice of Life On the outskirts of the country of Helvetia rests the tranquil town of Seize. Upon its cobbled streets, citizens go about their daily lives, undisturbed by the increasingly tense military relations between Helvetia and the neighboring Roman Empire. It is under these circumstances that the 1121st platoon of the Helvetian army, stationed at the Clocktower Fortress in Seize, receives a new recruit in the young and spirited Kanata Sorami. Having joined the military to fulfill her dream of learning to play the bugle, she excitedly accepts the tutelage of the Sergeant Major, Rio Kazumiya, who happens to be a skilled trumpeter. Working alongside them are the aloof mechanic, Noël Kannagi, the feisty gunner, Kureha Suminoya, and the compassionate Captain Felicia Heideman; together, they experience the beauty of life in Seize and the lasting joy of a community that has persevered in spite of the crumbling world around them. There was little sense in the story, but Deus Ex Machina ending just nullified even that.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Nodame Cantabile: Finale のだめカンタービレ フィナーレ [J.C.Staff] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Josei Adult Cast, Music Comedy, Romance Shinichi Chiaki is quickly making a name for himself as the principal conductor of the revitalized Roux-Marlet Orchestra, and Megumi "Nodame" Noda has made leaps and bounds as a pianist at the Conservatoire de Paris. However, tensions mount between the two as Nodame feels left behind by Chiaki's growing success and his close friendship with legendary piano prodigy Rui Son. Disregarding her teacher Professor Charles Auclair's advice, Nodame enters another piano competition in an attempt to jumpstart her own performance career. Meanwhile, those around Chiaki and Nodame are at their own crossroads. Rui begins to doubt herself after hearing Nodame's playing and being denied tutelage from Auclair; Maestro Franz von Stresemann faces the reality of his mortality; pianists Yunlong Li and Tatiana Vishneva feverishly prepare for a competition, while the latter also struggles with her growing feelings for oboist and fellow student Yasunori Kuroki. As Chiaki, Nodame, and their friends continue on their respective journeys, they must not only strive to stay true to themselves, but also remember where it all started. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Hanamaru Youchien Hanamaru Kindergarten はなまる幼稚園 [Gainax] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Childcare Comedy, Slice of Life Anzu goes to a kindergarten with her friends, the shy Koume and the eccentric Hiiragi. Together they try to make their caretaker, Tsuchida Naozumi, fall in love with Anzu. However, he is clearly more interested in the pretty Yamamoto Nanako, a fellow kindergarten teacher who supervises the class next door. Even though Anzu tries to convince Tsuchida to marry her when she grows up by using various methods. Tsuchida, on the other hand, hopes to get a chance to date Yamamoto, and, if not, to marry her. I quite liked it when watched it for the first time. It's more in the league of K-ON with cuteness, but at least can be fun at times. And since I gave borderline masterpiece even to K-ON...   Overall Rating: 7/10   11. Ookamikakushi Okamikakushi: Masque of the Wolf おおかみかくし [AIC] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Action, Horror, Mystery, Supernatural Due to his father's job, 15-year-old Hiroshi Kuzumi and his family move to the mountain town of Jouga. While some teenagers might have to worry about fitting in or feel out of place in a new environment, Hiroshi is welcomed enthusiastically at school by most of his new classmates. In fact, it seems like they just can't get enough of him, and he makes two friends rather quickly: the clingy and overly-affectionate Isuzu Tsumuhana, who is also his neighbor; and Kaname Asagiri, who also recently moved to Jouga. All in all, Hiroshi's new life seems to be quite normal—until people start disappearing. Hiroshi is told that the missing townsfolk have simply moved away or suddenly transferred, but he can't shake the feeling that something is wrong. Meanwhile, in the dead of night under a red moon, masked individuals led by a girl with a scythe stalk their prey in the darkened streets of Jouga. Who are they, and are any of the residents safe from their wrath? Why most mysteries are so pretentious and silly. It's confusing, surface-scratching and just a poor collection of stamps gathered everywhere bit by bit.   Overall Rating: 5/10   12. Chuu Bra!! Chu-Bra!! ちゅーぶら!! [Zexcs] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen School Comedy, Ecchi The story centers on Nayu, a middle school girl who shocks her schoolmates on the first day of school by wearing black lace panties. She likes this kind of underwear, and she tries to "spread the word on the merits of [these kinds of] underwear" via an underwear club with her schoolmates, who are worried about their bodies' development and which underwear to choose. First underwear fetish series... and it even has underwear school club - very cringy.   Overall Rating: 5/10   13. Heartcatch Precure! ハートキャッチプリキュア! [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/49) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Comedy, Fantasy Young flower enthusiast Tsubomi Hanasaki is often modest and quiet. But with her family moving to a new town, she aims to reinvent her image at her new school as someone more confident and outgoing. On moving day, she dreams of a mysterious tree in the sky guarded by a warrior named "Cure Moonlight." Tsubomi quickly learns that this was no ordinary dream when she encounters two mysterious fairies—Chypre and Coffret—who are being hunted down by a strange woman. When the woman summons a giant monster to attack the city, Tsubomi finds herself transforming into a warrior to fight the enemy! Taking on the alias "Cure Blossom," Tsubomi learns that the woman is part of a villainous group that aims to turn the world into a lifeless desert, with her new duty being to stop it from happening. As Tsubomi continues to battle more monsters and uncover the secrets behind Cure Moonlight, will she find the confidence needed to overcome her timid nature? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Hidamari Sketch x ☆☆☆ ひだまりスケッチ×☆☆☆ [Shaft] (Finished 1/12) Tags: CGDCT, Iyashikei, School, Visual Arts Comedy, Slice of Life When we first met Yuno, she'd just been accepted to the prestigious Yamabuki Art School, and it was up to her new neighbors at Hidamari to help her find her way in the big scary world. Now a seasoned vet of the Hidamari Apartments herself, Yuno's newest challenge is to help the latest arrivals, Nazuna and Nori, acclimate to life on their own. Of course, since it IS Hidamari, there are still lots of trials and tribulations ahead, and nothing will ever go quite as expected. But with friends like Miyako, Hiro, and Sae ready to lend a hand, there will always be a ray of sunshine at the end of every storm in Hidamari Sketch x Hoshimittsu. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Cobra The Animation  [Magic Bus] (Finished 4/13) Tags: Shounen Adult Cast, Space Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi This Cobra adaptation features short arcs of Cobra saving the world, his friends or himself. I thought OVAs were prequels as dealt with background stories. But this series is a prequel as well as Cobra still has both hands here and deals more or less inside one planet. Not bad retro futuristic action series, but not great either.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Kidou Senshi Gundam Unicorn Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn 機動戦士ガンダムUC（ユニコーン） [Sunrise] (Finished 7/7) Tags: Mecha, Military, Space Action, Drama, Sci-Fi In the year Universal Century 0096, three years after Char Aznable's failed attempt to force human migration into space, life continues in the colonies orbiting Earth. One such colony, at Side 4, is home to Banagher Links, a 16-year-old who lives a quiet life among his classmates. Audrey Burne, the last descendant of a great tyrannical family, takes it upon herself to steal the key to a mysterious device known as "Laplace's Box." It is said that the Box has the power to shape the course of the universe, and Audrey travels to Side 4 in an attempt to take it from its current holder and keep it from the Sleeves, the surviving remnant of Char Aznable's Neo-Zeon. In her search, she stumbles across Banagher and changes his life forever. When Side 4 comes under the attack of the Sleeves and its prolific fighters Marida Cruz and Full Frontal, Banagher takes control of the newly built Gundam Unicorn to defend his friends and protect the fate of humankind. No experimenting this time, just another simple straightforward story with one protagonist and just a bit of different flavor. All those self-repeats are nauseating.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Yondemasu yo, Azazel-san. よんでますよ、アザゼルさん。 [Production I.G] (Finished 4/4) Tags: Seinen Gag Humor, Mythology Comedy, Supernatural The great detective Akutabe has an assistant, Rinko Sakuma, who is trying to learn to summon demons. This is the story of her misadventure when she actually manages to summon 2 demons unexpectedly. Ugly nonsense with comedy on the level of hitting a girl in the face so that her eyes fall out and then turning her into milk cow while retaining human anatomy.   Overall Rating: 5/10   18. Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya 涼宮ハルヒの消失 [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: School Award Winning, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Supernatural  On a cold December day, Kyon arrives at school prepared for another outing with his fellow SOS Brigade members. However, much to his surprise, he discovers that almost everything has changed completely: Haruhi Suzumiya and Itsuki Koizumi are nowhere to be found; Mikuru Asahina does not recognize him at all; Yuki Nagato is a regular human; and Ryouko Asakura has mysteriously returned. Although he is no stranger to the supernatural, Kyon is disturbed by this odd turn of events and decides to investigate on his own. Finding himself to be the only person that is aware of the previous reality, Kyon is now faced with a difficult choice: to finally live the normal life he has always wanted, or uncover a way to turn back the hands of time and restore his chaotic yet familiar world. A really memorable movie from Haruhi.   Overall Rating: 7/10   19. Higashi no Eden Movie II: Paradise Lost Eden of The East the Movie II: Paradise Lost 東のエデン 劇場版II Paradise Lost [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi, Suspense  As one of the 12 Seleção that needs to save the country in order to win a game, Akira Takizawa decided to become the "King of Japan." With that in mind, after his return from the U.S.A., the remaining Seleção will also need to follow up on their own plans as they strive to outdo each other. Saki Morimi and the other members of the "Eden of the East" are under suspicion of being terrorists, but they still do everything they can to help Takizawa reach his goal and unravel the secrets of his past, as the last fight between the Seleção begins. Just wanted to go to the end with this. And no, movie did not miraculously mend anything.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Uchuu Show e Youkoso Welcome to THE SPACE SHOW 宇宙ショーへようこそ [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Space Adventure, Fantasy Five elementary school children are spending their summer break camping at a remote mountain village. While on a hunt for their missing rabbit, Pyon-kichi, they find an injured dog in a field with crop circles. After nursing the dog back to health, they are shocked when he suddenly speaks and introduces himself as Pochi Rickman—an alien researcher who has been on Earth researching its plant life. As thanks for saving his life, Pochi offers to take the children to the moon on a sightseeing trip. When they arrive, the group quickly discovers that the moon hides a vast alien metropolis which they begin to gleefully explore. Unfortunately, after hearing that Pochi was severely injured on his mission, the government of the moon issues a travel sanction on Earth, preventing the children from returning home. Left with no other choice, the group journeys around the galaxy in search of a way to safely return to Earth. Amidst their adventure, they are pursued by aliens affiliated with "The Space Show," the universe's most-watched production shrouded in mystery. Another Ghibli copycat that's only passable for younger audience.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Kao An Port of Return 靠岸 [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure, Award Winning  Frostlight, a naive girl, disregards the fortuneteller's warnings, and tries too hard in keeping Westwind's heart. Her attempts catch the attention of Asura, and a war breaks out. Frostlight quickly boards a mysterious ship and departs on a perilous and fantastic journey. This strange ship carries a cast of helpless, tormented souls as it drifts through a mysterious space, unable to make port. The souls fear that Asura could strike at any moment and send them to the Asuran Realm, never to return. Visuals look like a bit advanced flash. Story is total nonsense jumping randomly in all directions. There's still a long way till Chinese masterpiece anime.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  18. kivandopulus

    VN of the Month November 2023

    By kivandopulus,


    VN of the Month 2023
    More than one unusual work!   1. Hirahira Hihiru ヒラヒラヒヒル [231116] BA-KU 1 They're all perfectly normal human beings. The world you are about to enter is one in which the dead come back to life. It is a phenomena which has occurred since time immemorial. But these unlucky individuals do not return as the person they once were. They rise from the grave with depleted cognition, memory, and awareness. Their bodies, stripped of all regenerative abilities, slowly rot away. In Japan, those with this affliction are known as "hihiru." Though once revered as holy beings, over time they have come to be shunned and reviled by society. Eventually, however, their condition was recognized as a medical issue, and given the name Aerodema. Now, at the dawn of the Taishou Era, Dr. Katori Shuuhei is conducting field studies in an effort to improve living conditions and support systems for Aerodema patients. Given how slowly they have developed in Japan compared to other nations, it is an uphill battle he fights. It is through the eyes of two men that this story will unfold: Chigusa Masamitsu, a young doctor assisting with these studies, and Tenma Takeo, a student to whom Aerodema has only been a distant problem until now. Watch how these men grapple with Aerodema as it twists itself into their lives... Story by Setoguchi Ren'ya. Localized and has English reviews.   2. MAMIYA -DoomsDay Dreams- マミヤ -DoomsDay Dreams-   [231122] Kenkou Land Final part of the MAMIYA series Sequel to amateur company title that comes with a translation right away   3. Amairo Chocolata 3 あまいろショコラータ 3  [231124] Cabbage Soft A year has passed. When Kaguya is away from the dormitory on a school trip, she suddenly becomes close to her older sister, Mitsuki Momose, who is very good at making dumplings. Furthermore, Kohana, the self-proclaimed god who summoned the boy and Mikuri, is revived. She says she wants to control Yunagi Town! The more unique beastgirls - the merrier! Sequel   4. Geminism Geminism 〜げみにずむ〜 [231124] CRAFTWORK Two twin sisters, Hirosoma Kikyou and Hirosoma Shinku, clash together in a nook of a midnight city. The fight is watched over by two mysterious men, Yamaga and Tsukishiro. Just what is at stake in their battle? A blast from the past. Brand is famous for its utsuge themes, but this work tries to appeal to everyone and limit shocking content while emphasizing eroticism (as gemini share feelings) and text and keeping story simple.    5. Little Princess GO! リトルプリンセスＧＯ！ [231124] Quince Soft & Lump of Sugar In the city of Yumeutsutsu, famous for having the largest theme park in Japan, the "Dream Garden", lies Yumeutsutsu Academy. Attending there is our protagonist Sumito, the son of the Dream Garden's manager. One day, the princess who is said to be a descendant of Snow White, "Mina", transfers to the school. Eventually, Sumito learns of Mina's hidden secret. Thanks to this, their relationship becomes delicate. Nevertheless, Sumito's mother, the manager, has given the two of them an order. "Let's make a big theme park event "School Festival" a success!" Joined by the candidate for the next manager, a secretary who supports Sumito, "Ritsuka." A dancer working at the theme park, "Alice." And a school nurse and Sumito's tutor, "Momo." A slapstick school romantic comedy begins! Can be called close to a moege as all heroines are unusually lewd from the start.
  19. kivandopulus

    Anime of the Year 2017-I Winter - ChäoS;Child

    By kivandopulus,


    Anime of the Year
    Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Sukeroku Futatabi-hen and ChäoS;Child are the only things that interested me.   1. Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! 2 KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! 2 この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！ 2  [Studio Deen] (Finished 10/10) Tags: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy Isekai, Parody, Reincarnation When Kazuma Satou died, he was given two choices: pass on to heaven or be revived in a fantasy world. After choosing the new world, the goddess Aqua tasked him with defeating the Demon King, and let him choose any weapon to aid him. Unfortunately, Kazuma chose to bring Aqua herself and has regretted the decision ever since then. Not only is he stuck with a useless deity turned party archpriest, the pair also has to make enough money for living expenses. To add to their problems, their group continued to grow as more problematic adventurers joined their ranks. Their token spellcaster, Megumin, is an explosion magic specialist who can only cast one spell once per day and refuses to learn anything else. There is also their stalwart crusader, Lalatina "Darkness" Dustiness Ford, a helpless masochist who makes Kazuma look pure in comparison. Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! 2 continues to follow Kazuma and the rest of his party through countless more adventures as they struggle to earn money and have to deal with one another's problematic personalities. However, things rarely go as planned, and they are often sidetracked by their own idiotic tendencies. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid 小林さんちのメイドラゴン [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Fantasy, Slice of Life  As Kobayashi sets off for another day at work, she opens her apartment door only to be met by an unusually frightening sight—the head of a dragon, staring at her from across the balcony. The dragon immediately transforms into a cute, busty, and energetic young girl dressed in a maid outfit, introducing herself as Tooru. It turns out that the stoic programmer had come across the dragon the previous night on a drunken excursion to the mountains, and since the mythical beast had nowhere else to go, she had offered the creature a place to stay in her home. Thus, Tooru had arrived to cash in on the offer, ready to repay her savior's kindness by working as her personal maidservant. Though deeply regretful of her words and hesitant to follow through on her promise, a mix of guilt and Tooru's incredible dragon abilities convinces Kobayashi to take the girl in. Despite being extremely efficient at her job, the maid's unorthodox methods of housekeeping often end up horrifying Kobayashi and at times bring more trouble than help. Furthermore, the circumstances behind the dragon's arrival on Earth seem to be much more complicated than at first glance, as Tooru bears some heavy emotions and painful memories. To top it all off, Tooru's presence ends up attracting several other mythical beings to her new home, bringing in a host of eccentric personalities. Although Kobayashi makes her best effort to handle the crazy situation that she has found herself in, nothing has prepared her for this new life with a dragon maid. For me it's a bland SOL comedy that focuses on monster girls and ecchi elements inevitably linked to them for some reason. For me even A Centaur's Life is a much better anime.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Youjo Senki Saga of Tanya the Evil 幼女戦記 [Nut] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Isekai, Military, Reincarnation Action, Fantasy Tanya Degurechaff is a young soldier infamous for predatorial-like ruthlessness and an uncanny, tactical aptitude, earning her the nickname of the "Devil of the Rhine." Underneath her innocuous appearance, however, lies the soul of a man who challenged Being X, the self-proclaimed God, to a battle of wits—which resulted in him being reincarnated as a little girl into a world of magical warfare. Hellbent on defiance, Tanya resolves to ascend the ranks of her country's military as it slowly plunges into world war, with only Being X proving to be the strongest obstacle in recreating the peaceful life she once knew. But her perceptive actions and combat initiative have an unintended side effect: propelling the mighty Empire into becoming one of the most powerful nations in mankind's history. Failed to understand the appeal even though the vibes of Izetta the last witch are here. Main character lacks appeal, and revenge as driver motive is not enough for a great show.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Masamune-kun no Revenge Masamune-kun's Revenge 政宗くんのリベンジ [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 3/12)
      Tags: Shounen Harem, School Comedy, Romance When Masamune Makabe was a child, he was rejected by a rich, beautiful girl named Aki Adagaki, who gave him the nickname ''Piggy'' for being overweight. Devastated, Masamune put great effort into working out to improve his appearance. Now a handsome yet narcissistic high school student, Masamune is determined to exact revenge—he will have Aki fall madly in love with him and ultimately reject her the next time they meet. To his surprise, Masamune discovers he has transferred into Aki's school. Setting his plan into motion, Masamune first begins to form a relationship with the ''Brutal Princess'' but, despite his efforts, fails miserably at his initial attempts. Shockingly, when Masamune finally progresses towards his vengeance, he receives a mysterious letter addressing him by his old nickname. Unless Masamune discovers the sender's identity, his plan is doomed before it even starts! Not bad romcom about trying to make girls fall in love with a former fattie. But it's too shounen and too light and with excessive cliché to my taste.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Ao no Exorcist: Kyoto Fujouou-hen Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga 青の祓魔師 京都不浄王篇 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Mythology, School Action, Fantasy The ExWire of True Cross Academy are beset with shock and fear in the aftermath of discovering that one of their own classmates, Rin Okumura, is the son of Satan. But for the moment, they have more pressing concerns than that of Rin's parentage: the left eye of the Impure King, a powerful demon, has been stolen from the academy's Deep Keep. After an attempt is made to steal the right eye in Kyoto as well, Rin and the other ExWires are sent to investigate the mystery behind the Impure King and the ultimate goal of the thief. While this mission has them cooperating for the time being, Rin has never felt more distant from his fellow exorcists. In his attempt to reconcile with them, he undergoes specialized training to control his dark power. However, when the right eye is stolen not long after their arrival, the unthinkable threat of a traitor amongst them leaves them in need of all the power they can get. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Kuzu no Honkai Scum's Wish クズの本懐 [Lerche] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Love Polygon, School Drama, Romance To the outside world, Hanabi Yasuraoka and Mugi Awaya are the perfect couple. But in reality, they just share the same secret pain: they are both in love with other people they cannot be with. Hanabi has loved her childhood friend and neighbor Narumi Kanai for as long as she can remember, so she is elated to discover that he is her new homeroom teacher. However, Narumi is soon noticed by the music teacher, Akane Minagawa, and a relationship begins to blossom between them, much to Hanabi's dismay. Mugi was tutored by Akane in middle school, and has been in love with her since then. Through a chance meeting in the hallway, he encounters Hanabi. As these two lonely souls spend more time together, they decide to use each other as a substitute for the one they truly love, sharing physical intimacy with one another in order to stave off their loneliness. It starts as something fresh and unique, but goes on as absolutely trifle problems put to the absolute and blabbering about. All that whispering and empty drama can puzzle at best, but that's it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Little Witch Academia (TV) Little Witch Academia リトルウィッチアカデミア [Trigger] (Finished 1/25) Tags: School Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy  "A believing heart is your magic!"—these were the words that Atsuko "Akko" Kagari's idol, the renowned witch Shiny Chariot, said to her during a magic performance years ago. Since then, Akko has lived by these words and aspired to be a witch just like Shiny Chariot, one that can make people smile. Hence, even her non-magical background does not stop her from enrolling in Luna Nova Magical Academy. However, when an excited Akko finally sets off to her new school, the trip there is anything but smooth. After her perilous journey, she befriends the shy Lotte Yansson and the sarcastic Sucy Manbavaran. To her utmost delight, she also discovers Chariot's wand, the Shiny Rod, which she takes as her own. Unfortunately, her time at Luna Nova will prove to be more challenging than Akko could ever believe. She absolutely refuses to stay inferior to the rest of her peers, especially to her self-proclaimed rival, the beautiful and gifted Diana Cavendish, so she relies on her determination to compensate for her reckless behavior and ineptitude in magic. In a time when wizardry is on the decline, Little Witch Academia follows the magical escapades of Akko and her friends as they learn the true meaning of being a witch. Remake.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Gabriel DropOut ガヴリールドロップアウト [Doga Kobo] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen CGDCT, Mythology, School Comedy, Supernatural For centuries, Heaven has required its young angels to live and study among humans in order to become full-fledged angels. This is no different for top-of-her-class Gabriel White Tenma, who believes it is her mission to be a great angel who will bring happiness to mankind. However, Gabriel grows addicted to video games on Earth and eventually becomes a hikikomori. Proclaiming herself a "Fallen Angel," she is apathetic to everything else—much to the annoyance of Vignette April Tsukinose, a demon whom Gabriel befriended in her angelic early days on Earth. Vignette's attempts to revert Gabriel back to her previous self are in vain, as Gabriel shoots down any attempt to change her precious lifestyle. As they spend their time on Earth, they meet two eccentric personalities: the angel Raphiel Ainsworth Shiraha, Gabriel's classmate with a penchant for sadism, and the demon Satanichia McDowell Kurumizawa, a clumsy self-proclaimed future ruler of the Underworld. Gabriel DropOut follows these four friends' comedic lives as they utterly fail to understand what it truly means to be a demon or an angel. Not bad comedy, but competition within the genre is too high, and I don't like it enough. Just a decent comedy around angels and demons.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Demi-chan wa Kataritai Interviews With Monster Girls 亜人ちゃんは語りたい [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Seinen Mythology, School, Vampire Comedy, Fantasy High school biology teacher Tetsuo Takahashi may look like your average everyday instructor, but beneath his gentle appearance lies something less ordinary: his fascination for the "Ajin," more commonly known as "Demi." Although these half-human, half-monster beings have integrated into human society, Takahashi believes that much about them will remain unknown unless he interacts with them firsthand. Demi-chan wa Kataritai follows Takahashi's daily life in Shibasaki High School together with his three Demi students—Hikari Takanashi, an energetic vampire; Kyouko Machi, a gentle dullahan; and Yuki Kusakabe, the shy snow woman. Along the way, Takahashi also meets fellow teacher Sakie Satou, a succubus with an aversion towards men. To fulfill his goal of learning more about the Demi, Takahashi decides to conduct casual interviews with the girls to learn more about their abilities, psyche, and interaction with human society. As Takahashi strengthens his bond with his students, he soon discovers that the Demi are not as unusual as he initially believed. It's literally interviews with demi-humans and non-humans. Not sure what to like here.   Overall Rating: 5/10   10. Gintama. Gintama Season 5 銀魂。 [Bandai Namco Pictures] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, Historical, Parody, Samurai Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi After joining the resistance against the bakufu, Gintoki and the gang are in hiding, along with Katsura and his Joui rebels. The Yorozuya is soon approached by Nobume Imai and two members of the Kiheitai, who explain that the Harusame pirates have turned against 7th Division Captain Kamui and their former ally Takasugi. The Kiheitai present Gintoki with a job: find Takasugi, who has been missing since his ship was ambushed in a Harusame raid. Nobume also makes a stunning revelation regarding the Tendoushuu, a secret organization pulling the strings of numerous factions, and their leader Utsuro, the shadowy figure with an uncanny resemblance to Gintoki's former teacher. Hitching a ride on Sakamoto's space ship, the Yorozuya and Katsura set out for Rakuyou, Kagura's home planet, where the various factions have gathered and tensions are brewing. Long-held grudges, political infighting, and the Tendoushuu's sinister overarching plan finally culminate into a massive, decisive battle on Rakuyou. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Fuuka 風夏 [Diomedéa] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Shounen Love Polygon, Music, School Drama, Romance, Ecchi The story follows the life of Yuu Haruna, who recently moved into Tokyo with his sisters after their father is forced to transfer overseas on work. On his way to buy dinner while looking at his Twitter account, a high school girl suddenly crashes into him. Thinking he was taking upskirt pictures of her, the girl takes Yuu's phone, breaks it, and slaps him before leaving Yuu lying on the ground. As it turns out, this girl—Fuuka Akitsuki—also goes to the school Yuu is transferring to. Unlike most people, Fuuka doesn't own a cellphone; she even listens to music using a CD player. Eventually these two become closer, and decide to form a band with their friends and enter the professional world of music. With Fuuka around, what will now become of Yuu's new life in Tokyo? What a typical and cliché love triangle. Makes it really painful to watch as I find myself checking each episode timer too often waiting for it to end...   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Seiren セイレン [Studio Gokumi, AXsiZ] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Harem, School Romance For high school students like Shouichi Kamita, university entrance exams and the future are common concerns. It is also during this time in life that a mysterious emotion that vexes people of all ages may begin to weigh upon one's mind—love. At this point in his teenage years, Shouichi finds three girls he could see himself having a future with: the ever-cheerful Hikari Tsuneki, who teases Shouichi without mercy, but actually has a softer side; the competitive gamer, Tooru Miyamae, who has difficulty communicating with others; and Shouichi's childhood friend, Kyouko Touno, the sometimes immature shoujo manga enthusiast. Seiren follows Shouichi's relationships with these three girls across three separate arcs, as their feelings grow from mutual interest and blossom into something more beautiful. Amagami SS was special because of memorable girls. But in Seiren girls look almost the same and are very familiar, without enigma this time, so it can't reach former heights.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Sukeroku Futatabi-hen Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju 昭和元禄落語心中～助六再び篇 [Studio Deen] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Josei Adult Cast, Historical, Love Polygon, Performing Arts Drama Even after having risen to the utmost rank of shin'uchi, Yotarou struggles to find his own identity in the world of rakugo. Caught between his master's teachings and the late Sukeroku's unique style, his performance lacks an important ingredient—ego. And while his popularity packs the theaters, he is but one of the few; rakugo is under threat of being eclipsed. Meanwhile Yakumo, regarded by many as the last bastion of preserving the popularity of rakugo, struggles to cope with his elderly state. Even though his performances are still stellar, he fears that he is nearing his limits. His doubts grow stronger as an old friend creeps ever closer. Konatsu, for her part, attempts to raise her son as a single mother, which Yotarou is heavily opposed to. Instead, he seeks to persuade her to marry him and in turn raise her son as his own. In Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Sukeroku Futatabi-hen, the curtains fall on Yotarou and Yakumo's story, tasked with restoring the near-obsolete art form as well as overcoming their internal conflicts. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 7/10   14. ACCA: 13-ku Kansatsu-ka ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept. ACCA 13区監察課 [Madhouse] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Detective Drama, Fantasy, Mystery ACCA—a national body of the kingdom of Dowa that provides public services to the citizens of the country—was established as part of the peace settlement between the king of Dowa and the 13 states of the country during a revolt. One hundred years later, Dowa is in a period of unprecedented peace, due in part to the ACCA system. However, rumors of a coup d'état start to surface. Jean Otus, the second-in-command of the inspection department of ACCA, is charged with inspecting all 13 state branches. What will he discover as he performs his audit? Intriguing and mysterious, ACCA: 13-ku Kansatsu-ka is a politically-themed mystery that reveals a world of diverse cultures and lifestyles, with intricate connections between its characters, as the truth of the coup d'état slowly unfolds. Never could like it. Another useless mystery where nothing happens, and then - bam - coup d'etat.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Tales of Zestiria the Cross 2nd Season Tales of Zestiria the X Season 2 テイルズ オブ ゼスティリア ザ クロス 第2期 [ufotable] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy  The second season of Tales of Zestiria the Cross. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Akiba's Trip The Animation  [Gonzo] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Otaku Culture Action, Comedy, Supernatural, Ecchi Otaku siblings Tamotsu and Niwaka Denkigai are shopping in Akihabara when it is overrun by vampiric cosplaying monsters! These creatures, known as "Bugged Ones," can possess anyone they bite and soon they begin causing mayhem across the city. As Tamotsu finds himself at the mercy of one of these creatures, he is rescued by the mysterious baseball bat-wielding Matome Mayonaka. Together, they fight through several more encounters with the Bugged Ones, but before long, Tamotsu is fatally wounded protecting Matome. With no other choice, she revives him as a high level Bugged One—just like her! Tamotsu and Matome, along with excitable otaku cosplayer Arisa Ahokainen, make up the group "The Electric Mayonnaise" and they begin dispatching the Bugged Ones in the only way they know how: by ripping off their clothes and exposing them to sunlight! Poor senseless game, even worse anime.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. ChäoS;Child  [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Gore, Psychological Mystery, Sci-Fi, Supernatural A series of gruesome murders dubbed "New Generation Madness" once induced mass hysteria in Shibuya. At its peak during a frenzied riot, a sudden earthquake reduced the district into nothing but rubble, while leaving surrounding wards strangely intact. Six years later, in a newly rebuilt Shibuya, mysterious deaths begin to crop up again. It is not long before third-year student Takuru Miyashiro realizes a connection: the dates of the recent murders match those of the New Generation Madness incidents. He, along with several members of his school's newspaper club, decide to delve deeper into the mystery, only to find themselves stranded in the middle of a new crime scene themselves... Even though I'm not fond of mysteries, it's worth watching it once, especially because VN is so long.   Overall Rating: 7/10   18. Urara Meirochou Urara Meirocho うらら迷路帖 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen CGDCT Comedy, Fantasy Labyrinth Town is a legendary city composed of ten districts, home to witches and diviners alike. In the outermost district of this maze, many young girls begin training to join the ranks of the "Urara," a group of women known far and wide for their ability to divine the answers to the world's most difficult questions. Chiya, a wild girl raised amongst the animals in the mountains, is invited to take her rightful place as a first rank urara. By joining them, she hopes to divine the location of her long-lost mother. Chiya quickly makes three friends: studious Kon Tatsumi, aspiring witch Koume Yukimi, and reticent Nono Natsume. Armed with only their own ingenuity and a vague connection to the gods, they begin their journey in the way of the urara. Rather useless antics of village girls dealing with spirits.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Chain Chronicle: Haecceitas no Hikari Chain Chronicle: The Light of Haecceitas チェインクロニクル～ヘクセイタスの閃〈ひかり〉～ [Telecom Animation Film, Graphinica] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy  Set in the land of Yuguto, the people thought that the land they live is the size of the world, but it's actually divided into several areas, each with a respective king. Even though there were small wars among areas, the kings had roundtable meetings to maintain peace and balance. It was until a dark group of dark monsters appeared... Unlike OVA, there's a normal cast of characters and a normal plot. Visuals are great, but characters are rather thin and bland, so I fail to empathize here.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Rewrite 2nd Season Rewrite: Moon and Terra Rewrite 2ndシーズン [8bit] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Action, Comedy, Romance, Supernatural The second season of the Rewrite series which adapts Moon and Terra routes. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   21. Hand Shakers ハンドシェイカー [GoHands] (Finished 5/12) Tags: Super Power Action, Sci-Fi Those who receive the Revelation of Babel must overcome many battles and trials. By grasping the hand of their special partner, these "Hand Shakers" transport themselves to the realm of Ziggurat, an alternate dimension where time no longer exists. Each pair of Hand Shakers must battle it out for the right to meet with God, who will reward them by granting them a single wish. Tazuna Takatsuki, a high school student with a penchant for fixing things, is one of these Hand Shakers. After receiving a request for repairs from Professor Makihara of a nearby university, Tazuna stumbles upon Koyori Akutagawa, a bedridden girl that reminds him of his deceased sister Musubu. Remembering her dying wish to never let go of her hand, Tazuna grasps Koyori's hand and awakens his power as a Hand Shaker. However, Koyori's life is directly tied to her status as a Hand Shaker, meaning if Tazuna was to ever let go of her hand she would die. With meeting God being their only hope for saving her, the duo must find a way to make their unique powers mesh together, overcome the opposing Hand Shakers, and make their wish come true. More duels with wonder waffles, and inability to separate with a girl for some spice. Well balanced and calculated, but totally artificial and fake.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. BanG Dream! BanG Dream!（バンドリ！） [Xebec, Issen] (Finished 4/13) Tags: Music  When Kasumi Toyama was out camping as a child, she heard the rhythm of the "Star Beat" while admiring the starry night sky. This sparkling, heart-pounding sound left a lasting impression on her, and since then, she has constantly been seeking to rediscover that exciting thrill. Now, as a newly enrolled student of Hanasakigawa Girls' High School, Kasumi is more determined than ever to find that long-lost sensation again. She attempts a myriad of school club activities, and even considers taking up a part-time job, but none of these feel suitable for her. That is, until she chances upon a star-shaped guitar in the storage room of an old pawn shop. It leads her to a live house, where she is captivated by watching a live performance for the first time. Spurred from the adrenaline, she instantly decides to form a band without even really knowing why. However, such a venture requires her to confront various hurdles with new friends she makes along the way, all in her pursuit to encounter that twinkling, heart-throbbing ardor once more. It does not live up to the minimally accepted quality level that K-On is, and Xebec is one of the worst companies out there - they hardly understand anything in good anime.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Kemono Friends けものフレンズ [Yaoyorozu] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Anthropomorphic, Iyashikei Adventure, Award Winning, Comedy, Fantasy Japari Park is an untamed paradise where many humanoid animals, known as "Friends," live their everyday lives in all corners of the natural environmental park. One lazy afternoon in the savannah area, the energetic Serval encounters a peculiar new Friend. Curious, she swiftly takes down the Friend, named Kaban, to try and discover what species she is. To Serval's disappointment, not even Kaban herself knows the answer. The two become friends and set out on a grand adventure through the many habitats, landmarks, and attractions of Japari Park. Their destination is the park library, where they hope to shed some light on Kaban’s identity. Along the way, they meet many other Friends, looking into their lives and helping them out. However, they soon begin to uncover the sinister reality behind the park and their own existence. CGI... childish... and not entertaining for me in any way.   Overall Rating: 5/10   24. Yowamushi Pedal: New Generation 弱虫ペダル NEW GENERATION [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen Racing Sports Third season of the Yowamushi Pedal series. With the team's combined strength, the Sohoku High bicycle racing club beat reigning champions Hakone Academy at the Interhigh national race and achieved an impressive overall victory. Now that their hot summer has ended and third-years Kinjou, Makishima, and Tadokoro have retired from the team, first-year participants in the Interhigh Onoda Sakamichi, Imaizumi Shunsuke, and Naruko Shoukichi, along with their new captain second-year Teshima Junta and vice-captain Aoyagi Hajime begin preparing as a "new team" for their second consecutive championship at the next Interhigh. In order to retake their throne, their rivals Hakone Academy have also incorporated new members and begun training as a new team. Kyoto Fushimi High is lead by the monstrous racer Midousuji Akira. The nation's top schools are all honing their skills to reach the top of the Interhigh. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. ēlDLIVE elDLIVE エルドライブ 【ēlDLIVE】 [Pierrot] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Space Action, Sci-Fi Chuuta Kokonose is an orphan who lives with his aunt. For as long as he can remember, he's had a voice in his head, but other than that he's a normal boy—right until the day when a strange-looking thing follows him home and teleports him to a place filled with more fantastic creatures. It's a space police station, and Rein Brickke, the Chief of Solar System Department, tells him that he's been chosen by the computer as a possible candidate to join the police force. Misuzu Sonokata, a girl from Chuuta's school with an angelic face and ill temper who turns out to be one of Rein Brickke's subordinates, doesn't think him suitable for such a job. Chuuta, who was shocked at first, decides to take the aptitude test after being urged by the voice in his head and to prove Misuzu wrong. Very lame shounen with idiot characters, horrible humor and nonsense plot.   Overall Rating: 5/10   26. Reikenzan: Eichi e no Shikaku 霊剣山 叡智への資格 [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Comedy, Fantasy  After two years of studying within the Reiken clan, Ouriku and other inexperienced disciples are ordered to descend to the temporal world for further studies, and Ouriku embarks the journey back to his birthplace. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Onihei 鬼平 [Studio M2] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Adult Cast, Historical, Samurai Action, Drama The blade arts of the "Devil" tasked with striking down evils threatening a peaceful Edo! Heizou Hasegawa, upholding the role of chief officer protecting against crime and arson! In 1783, the heart of the Tenmei era, Hasegawa held the office of chief director of the department charged with sustaining safety in the region, suppressing the most vile of thieves and criminals, an individual largely feared, renowned as Devil Heizou... Great samurai show, actually, but it's basically anthology of various stories loosely connected by Haizou Hasegawa. Plus I'm not fond of jazz. I was not able to enjoy these stories around thievery, but most people should like it as both time and fighting action are depicted well.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Minami Kamakura Koukou Joshi Jitensha-bu Minami Kamakura High School Girls Cycling Club 南鎌倉高校女子自転車部 [J.C.Staff, A.C.G.T.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen CGDCT, School Sports Maiharu Hiromi has moved from Nagasaki to Kamakura. She begins her new life in Kamakura and her first day in Minami Kamakura High School by cycling to her school, but she has not ridden a bicycle in many years. On the way to the first day ceremony she almost crashes into Akizuki Tomoe. Obviously Hiromi needs a lot more practice, so Tomoe decides to help Hiromi train to become better at riding a bicycle, and they become good friends. When they discover that the school used to have a bicycle club, the girls, together with Kamikura Fuyune and Higa Natsumi, resurrect the club naming it the Minami Kamakura High School Girls Bicycle Club. There was another girl cycling club anime just recently... anyway, far from my interests.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Schoolgirl Strikers: Animation Channel スクールガールストライカーズ Animation Channel [J.C.Staff] (Finished 2/13) Tags: School Action, Sci-Fi It's the near future. The newly established girls' private school Goryoukan Academy has another face. This school has a special unit, Fifth force, who is assembled and selected from the school's student body in order to fight an enemy called O'bli. This is a story about love, courage and friendship about the girls called Strikers. Cheerful mahou shoujo CGDCT with battles against unintelligent creatures so mundane that those are mostly omitted. The result is average.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Idol Jihen Idol Incidents アイドル事変 [MAPPA, Studio VOLN] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Idols (Female), Music  Increasing income divide, creeping environmental pollution, unsolvable waste issues, childcare waiting lists being discussed without those concerned, repeated corruption… The government, smeared by vested interests, can't do a thing against the many problems and sources of discontent. It's in this situation, with Japan cornered with no way out, that idols rise up to save the day! The Heroine Party, Sunlight Party, Starlight Party, Bishoujo Party, Wakaba Party, Subculture New Party, and SOS Party. From these seven idol political parties, the idols who have become National Diet members and representatives for each prefecture will smash through the sense of stagnation covering Japan using the power of song and dance! They'll bring back the smiling faces of the people, and wrap Japan in a glittering aura!! This nonsense synopsis instantly causes a facepalm for me. The actual content is childish as politics is only stage for some short incidents.   Overall Rating: 5/10   31. Kirakira☆Precure A La Mode キラキラ☆プリキュアアラモード [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/49) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Fantasy, Gourmet Cheerful teenager Ichika Usami has a passion for sweets that is inspired by her mother's baking. In celebration of her mother's return from overseas, she tries her hand at making a cake herself. She is interrupted when a dog-like fairy named Pekorin crashes into her kitchen. With Pekorin's help, Ichika successfully bakes her cake. Only then enters an imp named Gummy who bursts in and attempt to steal the cake's "kirakiraru", a magical power that gives sweets the ability to bring happiness. Though Ichika initially offers her cake to Gummy in order to protect Pekorin, the fairy helps her realize how important the treat is and the love it represents. As the kirakiraru within Ichika's cake grows, it changes into a set of trinkets that transforms her into Cure Whip, a hero known as a Pretty Cure. Using her newfound powers, she goes on to battle kirakiraru thieves whenever they appear. Ichika fights to protect Ichigozaka's sweets and finds colorful new allies along the way. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   32. Forest Fairy Five  [Showgate, Tokyo MX] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Music Comedy, Fantasy A beautiful nation, prospering since ancient times, Japan is now known as the Anime Kingdom. There are more than just humans living there; animes truly do exist in Japan. Past the Fairy Ring, to the world of fairies, live anime-chans. There's a Fairy Ring in your town, too. Here. And there. Even in Harajuku. Maybe even in the Ashigara mountains. By some chance, we'll open that door. And we might get to meet the anime-chans. This is the land where you get to meet anime-chans. Ugly full CGI with typical vtuber useless talk.   Overall Rating: 4/10   33. Chou Yuu Sekai: Being the Reality World of Super Sand Box: Being the Reality 超游世界 -BEING THE REALITY- [Asahi Production, Success Corp.] (Finished 11/20) Tags: Video Game Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance A hot-blooded high school teen, a mysterious female swordsman, and an unpredictable dark emo girl. It's impossible to distinguish between reality and the game world! What kind of conspiracy is awaiting them in this super journey of the world! It's only partially translated. Usual hectic action, and being based on a video game only makes things worse.   Overall Rating: 5/10   34. Feng Ling Yu Xiu Soulmate Adventure 风灵玉秀 [Sunflowers] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Martial Arts Action, Adventure It is rumored in the martial world that a mystery white-haired girl suddenly appeared around the thief Feng Ling Er. She is so powerful that many martial arts masters can't defeat her. The girl's identity, the source of her power and her influence to the world all caused discussion among the public. But Feng Ling Er and the white-haired girl named Bai Yu Xiu never care about it. They travel the world with pleasure, unaware of a great conspiracy coming towards them. Travel Wuxia, only slightly better than its traditional representatives.   Overall Rating: 6/10   35. Xiang Ling Ji 降灵记 [Pb Animation Co. Ltd., LAN Studio] (Finished 1/15) Tags: Mythology Action, Fantasy The 19-year-old tomboy exorcist Hua Jiu got to know 'evil spirit' Seven Lord and forced him to be her spirit servant when cleansing spirits. Later the human being and the spirit set forth on a journey of ranting each other and cleansing spirits. However, Hua Jiu's enemy started insidious revenge at the same time... Travelling exorcist is one of my least favorite concepts - waste of time, basically. This one at least has clean outline and some humor.   Overall Rating: 6/10   36. Sword Art Online Movie: Ordinal Scale Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale 劇場版 ソードアート・オンライン -オーディナル・スケール- [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Video Game Action, Adventure, Fantasy In 2026, four years after the infamous Sword Art Online incident, a revolutionary new form of technology has emerged: the Augma, a device that utilizes an Augmented Reality system. Unlike the Virtual Reality of the NerveGear and the Amusphere, it is perfectly safe and allows players to use it while they are conscious, creating an instant hit on the market. The most popular application for the Augma is the game Ordinal Scale, which immerses players in a fantasy role-playing game with player rankings and rewards. Following the new craze, Kirito's friends dive into the game, and despite his reservations about the system, Kirito eventually joins them. While at first it appears to be just fun and games, they soon find out that the game is not all that it seems... What do we like in SAO? MMO fantasy world, super strong bosses, party play, PK, permadeath. What are we getting fed since the original? Augmented reality, amnesia, identity swap, kidnapping and just talks. All the sequels till Alicization neglect all the positive sides and present just another artificial side story with familiar patterns and totally shifted focus. Can't recommend this movie as it steps on the same rakes again, and such destructive behavior should not be supported.   Overall Rating: 6/10   37. Gyakusatsu Kikan Genocidal Organ 虐殺器官 [Manglobe, Geno Studio] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Military, Psychological Sci-Fi  The war on terror exploded, literally, the day Sarajevo was destroyed by a homemade nuclear device. The leading democracies transformed into total surveillance states, and the developing world has drowned under a wave of genocides. The mysterious American John Paul seems to be behind the collapse of the world system, and it's up to intelligence agent Clavis Shepherd to track John Paul across the wreckage of civilizations and to find the true heart of darkness—a genocidal organ. It's a huge bore, and whatever it tries to say is not worth the time spent.   Overall Rating: 5/10   38. Hirune Hime: Shiranai Watashi no Monogatari Napping Princess ひるね姫～知らないワタシの物語～ [Signal.MD] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi Kokone Morikawa has a strange napping disease that distracts her from reality, one that makes the world of her dreams and the real world near indistinguishable. In reality, she is an average high school student preparing for her university entrance exams; but in her dreams she is a magical princess of Heartland, a machine-driven future where the use of artificial intelligence is forbidden. Within the seemingly imaginary dreamland, Kokone discovers more about her family's past and the secret that her father, a talented mechanic, has tried to protect her from. However, as the events between two worlds intertwine, she must now protect the secret from villainous entities, both dream-like and terrifyingly real. So there's a lot of nonsense about dreams and enough reactivity in form of getting pursued. It aims to be a family friendly exotic movie akin to Ghibli, but there's nothing really interesting in it, so I'm probably too old for this.   Overall Rating: 6/10   39. Yuuki Yuuna wa Yuusha de Aru: Washio Sumi no Shou 1 - Tomodachi 結城友奈は勇者である -鷲尾須美の章- 第１章「ともだち」 [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Drama, Fantasy The first movie in the Washio Sumi no Shou trilogy. Main question for me here is why Yuuki Yuuna is often remembered as decent dark mahou shoujo on par with Madoka that is remembered by the right of genre discovery. And the answer that I find is that Yuuki Yuuna is ... simple. It does not beat around the bush for some episodes to introduce characters, does not involve multiple antagonists and mystery right away. It's a matter of mere seconds between initial information of being chosen - bell ringing - and fighting boss. And fighting bosses is interchanged with not just SOL, but SOL focused on bonding and character introduction in the process. Simplicity and time management is what makes this anime memorable in first place. But for me that's absolutely not what constitutes a good anime. There's no complexity, no interesting story and even no development so far.  Overall Rating: 6/10   40. Ryuu no Haisha The Dragon Dentist 龍の歯医者 [Khara] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy War rages between two neighboring countries, but one side has an ace up their sleeve: an ancient dragon bound by a pact to protect the nation. Despite these overpowering creatures being capable of leveling entire battlefields, they are rendered useless by cavities. And so, a special unit—the dragon dentists—has the important duty of caring for the dragon's teeth. Nonoko Kishii was the only one of many brave volunteers who survived a recent round of recruitment; in order to join the dragon dentists, one has to witness their future demise and accept it without a fight. Knowing the exact circumstances of their fated ends, the dragon dentists devote themselves to their work. One day, they gain a new member who did not undergo the test: Bernard "Bel" Octavius, a young enemy officer killed by his own men and revived by the dragon's teeth. Despite his appearance being an omen of a great disaster, he is placed under the care of Nonoko as a dentist-in-training. Will Bel come around to the dragon dentists' attitudes toward death and help them face the painful future that is to come? So giant dragons are fortresses, and dragon dentists fulfil maintenance duty. That's a stage, but what about story? Well, someone attacks, and main characters react to the best of their abilities. In the second half there's finally development as main characters have to leave dragon! And it becomes another story of running away and reacting to pursuit. This can be called a great story only if Fushigi no Umi no Nadia is your favorite anime. No, thank you.   Overall Rating: 6/10
  20. kivandopulus
    I evaluate Hai to Gensou no Grimgar and Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu for the same score, but in first case there's nothing really revolutionary as story is exactly low level fantasy with one mediocre enemy by the end. But second case is truly unique, so takes the upper hand. Also considering Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! and Schwarzesmarken enjoyable enough to stand out.   1. Boku dake ga Inai Machi ERASED 僕だけがいない街 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Psychological, Time Travel Mystery, Supernatural, Suspense When tragedy is about to strike, Satoru Fujinuma finds himself sent back several minutes before the accident occurs. The detached, 29-year-old manga artist has taken advantage of this powerful yet mysterious phenomenon, which he calls "Revival," to save many lives. However, when he is wrongfully accused of murdering someone close to him, Satoru is sent back to the past once again, but this time to 1988, 18 years in the past. Soon, he realizes that the murder may be connected to the abduction and killing of one of his classmates, the solitary and mysterious Kayo Hinazuki, that took place when he was a child. This is his chance to make things right. Boku dake ga Inai Machi follows Satoru in his mission to uncover what truly transpired 18 years ago and prevent the death of his classmate while protecting those he cares about in the present. Time travel mystery, but a good one. Can't say it impressed me enough to rewatch it now or to remember over these years, so there's not enough impact on me to qualify it high.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！ [Studio Deen] (Finished 10/10) Tags: Isekai, Parody, Reincarnation Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy After dying a laughable and pathetic death on his way back from buying a game, high school student and recluse Kazuma Satou finds himself sitting before a beautiful but obnoxious goddess named Aqua. She provides the NEET with two options: continue on to heaven or reincarnate in every gamer's dream—a real fantasy world! Choosing to start a new life, Kazuma is quickly tasked with defeating a Demon King who is terrorizing villages. But before he goes, he can choose one item of any kind to aid him in his quest, and the future hero selects Aqua. But Kazuma has made a grave mistake—Aqua is completely useless! Unfortunately, their troubles don't end here; it turns out that living in such a world is far different from how it plays out in a game. Instead of going on a thrilling adventure, the duo must first work to pay for their living expenses. Indeed, their misfortunes have only just begun! Well, my issues are mostly with the second season, and since I watched this twice now, should not deny it a borderline weak masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 7/10   3. Ansatsu Kyoushitsu 2nd Season Assassination Classroom Second Season 暗殺教室　第２期 [Lerche] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen School Action, Comedy Returning from their summer vacation, the students of Class 3-E at the prestigious Kunugigaoka Middle School find themselves up against unbeatable odds. Faced with the possibility of world annihilation, the students must come up with increasingly elaborate and creative ways to kill their teacher, the cunning yet optimistic and helpful Koro-sensei. However, eliminating Koro-sensei is not the only objective the students need to worry about. Gakuhou Asano, the academy's merciless and cruel principal, seeks to prevent Class 3-E's success by brainwashing his other hard-working pupils into ruthlessly competitive studying machines. Hostility begins to linger in the air as traitors and killers alike attempt to claim the bounty on Koro-sensei's head for themselves. Nagisa Shiota, one of Class 3-E's most skilled assassins, finds himself in the middle of the conflict. While he works to maintain his academic standing and prevent the end of the world, domestic affairs jeopardize his place in Class 3-E. Together with his dedicated classmates, he must now face the threats head-on. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Hai to Gensou no Grimgar Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions 灰と幻想のグリムガル [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Isekai Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy  Fear, survival, instinct. Thrown into a foreign land with nothing but hazy memories and the knowledge of their name, they can feel only these three emotions resonating deep within their souls. A group of strangers is given no other choice than to accept the only paying job in this game-like world—the role of a soldier in the Reserve Army—and eliminate anything that threatens the peace in their new world, Grimgar. When all of the stronger candidates join together, those left behind must create a party together to survive: Manato, a charismatic leader and priest; Haruhiro, a nervous thief; Yume, a cheerful hunter; Shihoru, a shy mage; Moguzo, a kind warrior; and Ranta, a rowdy dark knight. Despite its resemblance to one, this is no game—there are no redos or respawns; it is kill or be killed. It is now up to this ragtag group of unlikely fighters to survive together in a world where life and death are separated only by a fine line. A cool low level fantasy, but with second season nowhere to be seen it does not deserve truly high scores with this kind of plain ending.   Overall Rating: 8/10   5. Ajin Ajin: Demi-Human  亜人 [Polygon Pictures] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Seinen Gore Action, Horror, Mystery, Supernatural Mysterious immortal humans known as "Ajin" first appeared 17 years ago in Africa. Upon their discovery, they were labeled as a threat to mankind, as they might use their powers for evil and were incapable of being destroyed. Since then, whenever an Ajin is found within society, they are to be arrested and taken into custody immediately. Studying hard to become a doctor, Kei Nagai is a high schooler who knows very little about Ajin, only having seen them appear in the news every now and then. Students are taught that these creatures are not considered to be human, but Kei doesn't pay much attention in class. As a result, his perilously little grasp on this subject proves to be completely irrelevant when he survives an accident that was supposed to claim his life, signaling his rebirth as an Ajin and the start of his days of torment. However, as he finds himself alone on the run from the entire world, Kei soon realizes that more of his species may be a lot closer than he thinks. Well, it's a nice action, but in CGI-like technology and there's not much besides action, just another Gungrave-like anime with some alterations and a charismatic villain. In the end can't say I enjoyed it enough.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri Part 2 GATE Part 2 GATE（ゲート）自衛隊　彼の地にて、斯く戦えり　第2クール [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Isekai, Military Action, Adventure, Fantasy Several months have passed since the infamous Ginza Incident, with tensions between the Empire and JSDF escalating in the vast and mysterious "Special Region" over peace negotiations. The greed and curiosity of the global powers have also begun to grow, as reports about the technological limitations of the magical realm's archaic civilizations come to light. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Youji Itami and his merry band of female admirers struggle to navigate the complex political intrigue that plagues the Empire's court. Despite her best efforts, Princess Piña Co Lada faces difficulties attempting to convince her father that the JSDF has no intention of conquering their kingdom. Pressured from both sides of the Gate, Itami must consider even more drastic measures to fulfill his mission. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Musaigen no Phantom World Myriad Colors Phantom World 無彩限のファントム・ワールド [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Harem, School Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Ecchi Phantoms: supernatural entities such as ghosts or youkai that, until recently, were thought to be superstition. However, when a virus that infects the brain spreads throughout society, people's perception of the world changes as the mythical beings are revealed to have been living alongside humanity the entire time. This virus has also affected those of the next generation significantly, allowing them to develop special abilities that they can use to fight against dangerous phantoms. Haruhiko Ichijou and Mai Kawakami are two of those that were granted such power—Haruhiko wields the ability to summon and seal phantoms through drawings, while Mai imbues the power of the elements into martial arts. Together, along with the friendly phantom Ruru, they form Team E of Hosea Academy, which is dedicated to dealing with these often mischievous beings. In a world where the real and surreal intertwine, they handle the everyday troubles caused by phantoms. Bland and random mess with visuals being the only strong point.   Overall Rating: 5/10   8. Dagashi Kashi だがしかし [feel.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Romantic Subtext Comedy, Gourmet Out in the countryside stands a sweet shop run by the Shikada family for nine generations: Shikada Dagashi, a small business selling traditional Japanese candy. However, despite his father's pleas, Kokonotsu Shikada, an aspiring manga artist, adamantly refuses to inherit the family business. However, this may start to change with the arrival of the eccentric Hotaru Shidare. Hotaru is in search of Kokonotsu's father, with the goal of bringing him back to work for her family's company, Shidare Corporation, a world famous sweets manufacturer. Although the senior Shikada initially refuses, he states that he will change his mind on one condition: if Hotaru can convince Kokonotsu to take over the family shop. And so begins Hotaru's mission to enlighten the boy on the true joy of delicious and nostalgic dagashi! Nonsense comedy around food, not really impressive.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut Undefeated Bahamut Chronicle 最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》 [Lerche] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Harem, Mecha, School Action, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi Lux, a former prince of an empire named Arcadia that was overthrown via a rebellion five years earlier, accidentally trespasses in a female dormitory's bathing area, sees the kingdom's new princess Lisesharte naked, incurring her wrath. Lisesharte then challenges Lux to a Drag-Ride duel. Drag-Rides are ancient armored mechanical weapons that have been excavated from ruins all around the world. Lux used to be called the strongest Drag-Knight, but now he's known as the "undefeated weakest" Drag-Knight because he will absolutely not attack in battle. After his duel with Lisesharte, Lux ends up attending the female-only academy that trains royals to be Drag-Knights. Usual ecchi harem getting even worse with mecha.   Overall Rating: 5/10   10. Durarara!!x2 Ketsu デュラララ!!×2 結 [Shuka] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Action, Mystery, Supernatural As Mikado Ryuugamine continues to purge the Dollars from within in accordance with his warped sense of justice, Masaomi Kida hopes to bring his friend back to his senses by bringing the Yellow Scarves together once more. Little do they know that a far more dominant force is about to enter their struggle for power, one that their friend Anri Sonohara is all too familiar with. Meanwhile, the group that has gathered at Shinra Kishitani's apartment realizes that they are on the brink of something life-changing, an event that will throw Ikebukuro into a spiral of confusion. Their anxiety is realized when reports of Celty's head being found in public start to appear all over the news as Kasane Kujiragi begins to make her move. Gone are the brief periods of tranquility as the current turmoil sets the stage for one final performance in this thrilling conclusion to the story of Ikebukuro's finest. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Akagami no Shirayuki-hime 2nd Season Snow White with the Red Hair 2 赤髪の白雪姫 [Bones] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shoujo Drama, Fantasy, Romance Shirayuki and Zen Wistalia have finally confirmed their romantic feelings for each other, and everyone has resumed their daily lives. Shirayuki remains an apprentice court herbalist at the royal palace of Clarines, and Zen continues his duties alongside his aides. However, their daily routines are disrupted when Crown Prince Izana, Zen’s older brother, receives an invitation from Raji Shenazard, the prince of Tanbarun. The herbalist finds herself ordered to go to Tanbarun for seven days, to build a new friendship with the formerly selfish and haughty ruler who once ordered Shirayuki to become his concubine. Along the way, Shirayuki is bound to run into trouble once again, as she is sought by a mysterious boy named Kazuki, someone she has never met. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Dimension W  [Orange, Studio 3Hz] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Action, Sci-Fi  In the near future, humans have discovered a fourth dimension, Dimension W, and a supposedly infinite source of energy within. In order to harness this profound new energy, mankind develops advanced "coils," devices that link to and use the power of Dimension W. However, by year 2071, the New Tesla Energy corporation has monopolized the energy industry with coils, soon leading to the illegal distribution of unofficial coils that begin flooding the markets. Kyouma Mabuchi is an ex-soldier who is wary of all coil-based technology to the extent that he still drives a gas-powered car. Kyouma is a "Collector," individuals with the sole duty of hunting down illegal coils in exchange for money. What started out as just any other mission is turned on its head when he bumps in Mira Yurizaki, an android with a connection to the "father" of coils. When a series of strange events begin to take place, these two unlikely allies band together to uncover the mysteries of Dimension W. Harnessing superpowers from parallel dimension to uncover mysteries... this anime was doomed from the start for me. It basically falls apart as it's unable to create anything worthwhile.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju  昭和元禄落語心中 [Studio Deen] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Josei Historical, Love Polygon, Performing Arts Drama Yotarou is a former yakuza member fresh out of prison and fixated on just one thing: rather than return to a life of crime, the young man aspires to take to the stage of rakugo, a traditional Japanese form of comedic storytelling. Inspired during his incarceration by the performance of distinguished practitioner Yakumo Yuurakutei, he sets his mind on meeting the man who changed his life. After hearing Yotarou's desperate appeal for his mentorship, Yakumo is left with no choice but to accept his very first apprentice. As he eagerly begins his training, Yotarou meets Konatsu, an abrasive young woman who has been under Yakumo's care ever since her beloved father Sukeroku Yuurakutei, another prolific rakugo performer, passed away. Through her hidden passion, Yotarou is drawn to Sukeroku's unique style of rakugo despite learning under contrasting techniques. Upon seeing this, old memories and feelings return to Yakumo who reminisces about a much earlier time when he made a promise with his greatest rival. Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is a story set in both the past and present, depicting the art of rakugo, the relationships it creates, and the lives and hearts of those dedicated to keeping the unique form of storytelling alive. It's a fine historical comedy that I enjoyed more than was supposed to.   Overall Rating: 8/10   14. Nijiiro Days Rainbow Days 虹色デイズ [Production Reed] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shoujo School Comedy, Romance  Nijiiro Days follows the colorful lives and romantic relationships of four high school boys—Natsuki Hashiba, a dreamer with delusions of love; Tomoya Matsunaga, a narcissistic playboy who has multiple girlfriends; Keiichi Katakura, a kinky sadist who always carries a whip; and Tsuyoshi Naoe, an otaku who has a cosplaying girlfriend. When his girlfriend unceremoniously dumps him on Christmas Eve, Natsuki breaks down in tears in the middle of the street and is offered tissues by a girl in a Santa Claus suit. He instantly falls in love with this girl, Anna Kobayakawa, who fortunately attends the same school as him. Natsuki's pursuit of Anna should have been simple and uneventful; however, much to his dismay, his nosy friends constantly meddle in his relationship, as they strive to succeed in their own endeavors of love. Can't stand bishounens fussing around, seriously.   Overall Rating: 5/10   15. Oshiete! Galko-chan Please tell me! Galko-chan おしえて! ギャル子ちゃん [feel.] (Finished 2/12) Tags: School Comedy At first glance, Galko, Otako, and Ojou are three high school girls who seem like they wouldn’t have anything to do with each other. Galko is a social butterfly with a reputation for being a party animal, even though she is actually innocent and good-hearted despite her appearance. Otako is a plain-looking girl with a sarcastic personality and a rabid love of manga. And Ojou is a wealthy young lady with excellent social graces, though she can be a bit absent-minded at times. Despite their differences, the three are best friends, and together they love to talk about various myths and ask candid questions about the female body. Oshiete! Galko-chan is a lighthearted and humorous look at three very different girls and their frank conversations about themselves and everyday life. No topic is too safe or too sensitive for them to joke about—even though every so often, Galko seems to get a bit embarrassed by their discussions! With only 1/3 of length, it's episodic comedy around gyaru, not the best one.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Prince of Stride: Alternative プリンス・オブ・ストライド　オルタナティブ [Madhouse] (Finished 2/12) Tags: School Sports "Stride"—an extreme sport that combines parkour, free running, relay, and sprinting—is what made first year high school student Nana Sakurai enroll in Honan Academy, after being captivated by the school's stride team. Sharing the mutual intention of joining the team is fellow first year and stride maniac, Takeru Fujiwara, and together they request to join. Much to their dismay, however, the stride club is no longer active due to lack of members, and they are now operating under the shogi club. In order to revive the stride club, Nana and Takeru recruit first year Riku Yagami—a fast runner who is interested in almost every sport. With this new team, the club now aims high at a new goal: to win the prestigious End of Summer competition, and bring the Honan stride team back to their prime. All that drama around something as petty as running looks ridiculous.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Divine Gate ディバインゲート [Pierrot] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi  The legend of the Divine Gate is a story told to young children that depicts the merging of the living world, the heavens, and the underworld. "Adapters"—people born with unique elemental abilities gifted to them from the union of these worlds—formed the World Council, an organization which controls the chaos of the Gate by portraying its legend as nothing more than a myth. These Adapters train in a special academy owned by the World Council that allows the students to hone their skills. Aoto, a teenage boy with exceptional water powers and a tragic past, rejects the offer to join the academy numerous times—until he is successfully pressured by the energetic wind user Midori and stubborn fire user Akane. Together, with the World Council and their mysterious leader Arthur, they seek out the Gate in the hopes of uncovering the truth. But in order to reach their goals, they must unite and overcome their own despair while dealing with behind the scene mischief. A horrible mess not worth discussing.   Overall Rating: 5/10   18. Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm Aokana: Four Rhythm Across the Blue 蒼の彼方のフォーリズム [Gonzo] (Finished 12/12) Tags: School  Sci-Fi, Sports With the invention of anti-gravitational shoes known as Grav-Shoes, the ability to fly freely has become an everyday experience for the people inhabiting a four-island archipelago south of Japan. This invention has brought the people new ways of living and also a new sport known as "Flying Circus," where participants gain points by either touching floating buoys or their opponent's back. The gullible and clumsy Asuka Kurashina, newly transferred to Kunahama High School, enters this world of flight unknowingly when she is able to pull off a difficult maneuver the first time she participates in a Flying Circus match. Eventually, this leads her to join her school’s Flying Circus club. Led by their coach, Masaya Hinata, their members consist of the experienced Misaki Tobisawa and her overprotective friend, Mashiro Arisaka. Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm follows this rookie group soaring high above the skies and toward their dreams, armed only with their unwavering passion against an uncertain future. Had to sit it through since there is zero chance I'd ever read its visual novel. This anime is utterly horrible and immature in every way possible.   Overall Rating: 5/10   19. Shoujo-tachi wa Kouya wo Mezasu Girls Beyond the Wasteland 少女たちは荒野を目指す [Project No.9] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Otaku Culture, School  For the longest time, it's just been the two of them. "Kanojo" and her cat Daru are inseparable, having grown up together. Now a junior in college, Tomoka—her roommate of a year and a half—moves out of their shared apartment, and in order to keep her living space, Kanojo must find a job. Day by day, Daru watches her continued efforts from a cat's-eye view, eagerly awaiting his owner's return. When she gets back, once again, it's just she and her cat. Kanojo to Kanojo no Neko: Everything Flows is a charming short series about the bond between a pet and his owner. Rather softcore eroge creation club for a change, but not impressive at all.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Schwarzesmarken シュヴァルツェスマーケン [lxtl, LIDENFILMS] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Historical, Mecha, Military Action, Drama, Sci-Fi The year is 1983. The Cold War is in full effect, and humanity is under attack. Strange aliens, given the name "BETA," have descended to Earth with the goal of destroying all life. Soldiers have been tasked with piloting large combat suits called Tactical Surface Fighters (TSF) to repel the alien invaders, but the front line is slowly being pushed back towards the surviving cities. Schwarzesmarken follows the story of Second Lieutenant Theodor Eberbach and the other members of the 666th TSF squadron, a ruthless unit that values a mission's completion over human life. Stationed in East Germany and led by war hero Captain Irisdina Bernhard, the unit specializes in counterassault attacks on laser-class BETA. But the 666th squadron finds itself with more enemies than just the alien forces when optimistic rookie Katia Waldheim joins the squadron, drawing the attention of East Germany's secret police, the Stasi. When I watched it I was not aware of franchise ties, and it looked good enough to be called a small masterpiece, another good example of mecha done right.   Overall Rating: 7/10   21. Luck & Logic ラクエンロジック [Doga Kobo] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Action, Fantasy  "Logic" is the concept that governs emotions, abilities, ideals, memories, and all other abstract properties that make up life in various worlds. With its power, however, alien "Foreigners" are able to pass through portals imbued with their respective world's Logic and pose a threat to other worlds. To counter this problem, the Another Logic Counter Agency (ALCA) from the human world of Septpia employs "Logicalists," people with the power to form bonds with the Foreigners who seek peace and share their Logic, tasked with dealing with all possible dangers. After overloading his powers two years prior, Yoshichika Tsurugi has lost the ability to use Logic in combat, making him no different from a regular citizen. However, his life soon returns to the battlefield when he meets Athena, a Foreigner goddess from the world of Tetra-Heaven. She brings Yoshichika his missing Logic Card, allowing him to become a Logicalist once again. Soon after, Yoshichika forms a contract with Athena and joins ALCA. There, he meets other Logicalists, and only by working with them can he hope to bring an end to the threats once and for all. Horrible source, concept and result.   Overall Rating: 5/10   22. Reikenzan: Hoshikuzu-tachi no Utage 霊剣山 星屑たちの宴 [Studio Deen] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Comedy, Fantasy Long ago in the nine provinces of Kyushu, a calamitous event was prophesied to take place: falling comets would exhaust the spiritual energies of both the heavens and the lands and thus bring about an age of chaos upon the world. But contrary to the prophecy, the comets passed by with no calamity taking place. At the same time, as if touched by the phenomenon, a boy was born in a remote village of the Sokei region by the name of Ouriku. Twelve years later, as the memories of the event have faded from people's minds, the Reikenzan clan—one of the five supreme sects of the nine provinces—decides to hold an examination in order to gather the most talented individuals fit to become disciples and eventually sages. Hearing about this news, Ouriku and his servant Ouchou head toward the site, unaware that the organizer Oubu, despite her elegant appearance, is infamous for being extremely irresponsible and carefree; hence, making the trials in the examination unpredictable. Reikenzan: Hoshikuzu-tachi no Utage follows the story of Ouriku as he journeys through these trials to become a powerful sage. Basically, Chinese folklore unfunny comedy that pulls very strange jokes which still can be to someone's liking.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. HaruChika: Haruta to Chika wa Seishun suru Haruchika: Haruta & Chika ハルチカ ～ハルタとチカは青春する～ [P.A. Works] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Music, School Mystery, Romance Chika Homura begins her high school career with a goal: to develop a "cute girl" persona. After quitting the volleyball team despite her all-star status, Chika decides to join her school's underrated Wind Instrument Club and play the flute, believing it to be the most delicate and feminine instrument. For the first time in nine years, Chika reunites with her childhood friend and total opposite, Haruta Kamijou. Unfortunately for Chika, Haruta is not fooled by her efforts to become more endearing. But this does not deter Chika, and she develops a crush on the band instructor, Shinjirou Kusakabe—but so does Haruta! However, Chika's high school life just won't go according to plan, as mysteries begin appearing around her and her friends. The club members must work together to solve the mysteries plaguing the school, all while trying to find more members to compete in musical competitions. Sadly, another deadly boring P.A.Works SOL, now paired up with silly mystery.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Norn9: Norn+Nonet Norn9 NORN9 ノルン+ノネット [Kinema Citrus, Orange] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Josei Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi In a futuristic era, "The World" is a peace-bringing entity. Though no one knows its location, it has watched over Earth for so long that war has become merely a fable. The airship Norn's task is to deliver nine ability users to The World. After collecting the last person, Norn takes off. Included onboard are eight men and three women—Koharu, who has finally escaped her loneliness and detests her destructive power; Mikoto Kuga, born to a noble family, who uses her barrier skill to protect the Norn and those it carries; and Nanami Shiranui, whose ability only brings pain, and who wishes to die for a past sin she has committed. While en route, suspicions arise amongst the passengers when they realize there are too many people onboard. As they try to determine who has snuck aboard, the ship is attacked by an unknown assailant aiming to stop the Norn's progress at all costs. From this chaos arises questions: why were they granted powers, and what must they do once they reach The World? Tried to watch it for the story before, but could not endure it for long as there's only setting and sandbox in it. Josei esper mystery is not the kind of anime I can enjoy.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Bubuki Buranki BBK/BRNK ブブキ・ブランキ [SANZIGEN] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Mecha Action, Drama, Sci-Fi Away from home for 10 years, Azuma Kazuki had no idea what was awaiting him upon his return. He certainly did not expect to be attacked by dozens of heavily armed people and taken as their prisoner. Fortunately, Azuma's stay in captivity is short. Wielding a strange sentient weapon—known as "Bubuki"—upon her right arm, his childhood friend, Kogane Asabuki, rescues him. After escaping, Azuma learns that he too has the power to control Bubuki. Together with his new companions, he must revive the Buranki titan named Oubu, that sleeps somewhere deep underground. With this knowledge and purpose, a new path to unearth the truths behind the Buranki opens before Azuma. CGI, childish protagonists and shounen mecha tropes make it decent at best.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Phantasy Star Online 2 The Animation ファンタシースターオンライン２ ジ アニメーション [Telecom Animation Film] (Finished 12/12) Tags: School, Video Game Action, Sci-Fi In the year 2027, the video game Phantasy Star Online 2 is all the rage at Seiga Academy. Every student is on board the fad—except for Itsuki Tachibana, a well-rounded student who doesn't play video games. Due to its popularity, the game is currently under review at Seiga Academy to see if it has a negative impact on the students. Consequently, this causes Itsuki to catch the attention of Rina Izumi, the perfectionist student council president who aims to prove that the game is not to blame. To accomplish her objective, Rina recruits Itsuki as the student council vice president and tasks him with learning to play the game while keeping his grades up. Now obliged to report his daily findings of the game to Rina and analyze its merits, Itsuki carries the fate of Phantasy Star Online 2 in his hands. Decided that I needed to finish this as I'm not going to try its games anyway. Expected to see a bit more mature Persona, and it's not far from truth without game's defining gameplay.   Overall Rating: 6/10   27. Active Raid: Kidou Kyoushuushitsu Dai Hachi Gakari Active Raid アクティヴレイド　－機動強襲室第八係－ [Production IMS] (Finished 5/12) Tags: Adult Cast, Mecha Action, Sci-Fi In a futuristic, post-disaster Tokyo, the "Special Public Security Fifth Division Third Mobile Assault Eighth Unit," or "Unit Eight," is a police unit specializing in handling criminals who wield dangerous wearable technology called "Willwear." Equipped with Willwear of their own, the squadron is often criticized by the public for their carelessness and disregard for protocol. Sent in by the government as an undercover agent with special instructions from the higher-ups, Asami Kazari is Unit Eight's newest member. Determined to straighten out what she expects to be a group of incompetent fools, she instead finds a team of well-intentioned experts who use very effective—albeit unorthodox—methods, hindered by strict regulations. With their newest member by their side, Unit Eight fights crime and overcomes unexpected adversaries in Active Raid: Kidou Kyoushuushitsu Dai Hachi Gakari. It's just some cases with rare use of mecha akin to Patlabor. Can't call cases or characters interesting.   Overall Rating: 5/10   28. Sekkou Boys Sekko Boys 石膏ボーイズ [LIDENFILMS] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Anthropomorphic, Idols (Male), Music Comedy As luck would have it, on her first day at Holbein Entertainment Co., Miki Ishimoto is tasked with managing a brand new idol group! A recent college graduate, Ishimoto is eager to begin her career in the industry. However, her department's responsibility is...statues?! The statues in question are the Sekkou Boys, or "The Rockies," a boy band comprised of four Greco-Roman sculptures: St. George, Mars, Hermes, and Medici. These four busts are new to the entertainment scene, and it is up to Miki to ensure the Rockies' prosperity in the idol world. But will they be a stone-cold success? Or will Miki's management prove to be a rocky start to stardom? Complete nonsense.   Overall Rating: 5/10   29. Koukaku no Pandora Pandora in the Crimson Shell 紅殻のパンドラ [Studio Gokumi, AXsiZ] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Ecchi  Onboard a cruise ship heading to the scenic Cenancle Island, the full-body cyborg Nene Nanakorobi, a bubbly young girl who dreams of world peace, meets inventor Uzal Delilah. The two become fast friends along with Uzal's pet cyborg Clarion, a cat-like combat android. Soon after parting ways, a terrorist attack on the island threatens to shatter the pair's new friendship. In a bid to save her new friend, Uzal gives Nene the ability to use the Pandora Device found in Clarion's body before seemingly dying. With this power, Nene can temporarily master abilities and skills never seen before in the advancing world. Working together, the two unlikely companions go on various missions—from saving children in shopping mall fires to fighting reckless thieves—all in the name of world peace. But to achieve this goal is not easy. B.U.E.R, a sentient laser in the form of a misshapen teddy bear, threatens to wreck their happy lives with his perverted nature and uncontrollable power. And to make matters worse, Nene's guardian, as well as genius inventor, Takumi Korobase has an undying interest in B.U.E.R. Burdened with saving the world and keeping B.U.E.R from the hands of evil, Nene and Clarion's desire for world peace seems like a pipe dream. With this monumental goal, could the weight of it all destroy the pair's friendship completely? Eclectic ridiculous cases are resolved in the similar manner, humor is subpar.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Mahoutsukai Precure! Maho Girls Precure! 魔法つかいプリキュア！ [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/50) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Fantasy In the human realm, witches and wizards seem to be mere creations of fantasy. Ever the adventurous teenager, Mirai Asahina sets out to disprove this notion by following the tracks of a peculiar shooting star that had fallen the night before. Sure enough, Mirai soon has a chance encounter with Liko—a clumsy witch apprentice who hails from the Magic World, a colorful realm inhabited by magicians. As if by fate, the appearance of strange villains forces Mirai and Liko to join hands. In doing so, they unleash their strength as a pair of legendary magicians—the "Maho Girls Precure!" Now gifted with unbelievable power, the unlikely duo embarks on an adventure filled with magical spells and powerful gemstones. Along the way, the two girls discover the hidden marvels that tie their individual worlds together. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   31. Nurse Witch Komugi-chan R ナースウィッチ小麦ちゃんR [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Gag Humor, Idols (Female), Mahou Shoujo, Medical, Parody Comedy The new "slapstick" story will depict Komugi-chan and her rivals as they juggle their daily lives as students, idols, and magical girls "with laughter and tears." Komugi Yoshida is a somewhat clumsy second-year middle-school student whose strong point is her spiritedness. She performs as an idol like Kokona Saionji (her classmate and close friend) and Tsubasa Kisaragi (an idol who dresses in male clothing). However, unlike Kokona whose popularity is skyrocketing and Tsubasa with her charisma in male attire, Komugi's only gigs are low-end ones like those at the local shopping district. Still, Komugi has her "dream" as she lives her dual lives as a idol and a middle school girl. One day, a mysterious injured creature named Usa-P appears before Komugi. Komugi gives Usa-P medical treatment, and Usa-P, in consideration of Komugi's kindness, asks if she wants to be a Legendary Girl who can use magical powers. Having become a reluctant Legendary Girl, Komugi battles strange masked figures who suddenly appear! As a newly deemed Magical Nurse, she fights still more waves of masked figures. Meanwhile, a Magical Maid, a Magical Sister, and more also appear to make it a three-way battle!? Can Komugi handle the three roles of middle school girl, idol, and Magical Nurse? And, what lies ahead in these battles and her "dream"...?! Mahou shoujo parody with strange humor and CGI gigs - waste of time, as for me.   Overall Rating: 5/10   32. Rilu Rilu Fairilu: Yousei no Door リルリルフェアリル～妖精のドア～ [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/59) Tags: Fantasy, Slice of Life  "Fairilu" are fairies of flowers, insects, mermaids, or other entities that are born from "Farilu Seeds." All Fairilu are born with their own key, and they must search to find and open the door that fits only their key. Once the Fairilu pass through the doors, they mature. The doors are also related to the human world. Shoujo for kids, so I could not care less.   Overall Rating: 5/10   33. Brotherhood: Final Fantasy XV  [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 5/5) Tags: Action  Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Lucis, Noctis Lucis Caelum, sets out on a journey to Caem. His purpose is to meet with Lunafreya Nox Fleuret, an oracle and Noctis' childhood friend, in order to marry her. A strong and silent type, Noctis is accompanied by his friends and Royal Guard Gladiolus, Prompto, and Ignis. The four young men set out on a road trip across the continent in the king's personal convertible, the Regalia. Along the journey, each of them experience various situations which allow them to reflect on their past together, and strengthen their bonds for the future. A prequel to the 2016 video game Final Fantasy XV, Brotherhood: Final Fantasy XV explores the relationships of its four main protagonists and the challenges awaiting them. It starts where game starts, but very soon goes for past bonding events and recollections. Does not add anything new to the story, more of a fandisc.   Overall Rating: 6/10   34. Qin Shi Mingyue: Tian Xing Jiu Ge 秦时明月 姐妹篇：天行九歌 [Sparkly Key Animation Studio] (Finished 1/60) Tags: Historical, Martial Arts Action, Fantasy Facing the threat of the Qin State, danger seems to lurk within the Han State, which is known as the weakest out of the Seven States. Unknown to the Han Emperor, that very threat is the Great General of Han, Ji Wuye. Working under the Great General are the Four Fearful Warriors of Nightfall. Each four specialized in military, finance, politics, and espionage. In hopes of creating a new Han State, Quicksand was formed by Han Fei, the ninth prince of the Han. With Wei Zhuang, Zhang Liang, Zinü, and Nong Yu, they support the Prince in realizing the goal of Quicksand while being drawn into a whirlpool of power named “world”. CGI wuxia is all I need to know about it for dropping.   Overall Rating: 5/10   35. Shuang Yue Zhi Cheng Twin Moons 双月之城 [-] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Military Sci-Fi In the year 2200, a new Cold War between two forces is set to end with a peace treaty. However, one side is hiding a dark secret, which results in numerous tragedies in the following months. In the wake of a crisis, a paramilitary team is founded to steal information at the center of the conflict. Full CGI. Only first episode is translated, so there's not much point in watching it at all till it gets a translation as it's too random to make any sense otherwise.   Overall Rating: 6/10   36. Tai Yi Xian Mo Lu: Ling Fei Ji Magical Legend: Rise to Immortality 太乙仙魔录之灵飞纪 [Dancing CG Studio] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Historical, Martial Arts Action, Adventure, Fantasy Qingcheng Mountain was destroyed and Xuanmen (Profound Gate) suffered a great calamity. Qing Yu's Altar Master Xing Xiang Zi ordered Zhu Dian's reincarnation, Leng Shuangning, to go to Kunlun and fight the Demon Army. The magic power was in the air, and the hidden feeling was bewildering. As the two of them boarded Kunlun, Black Hand was planning something behind the scenes... CGI wuxia, so does not exist for me.   Overall Rating: 5/10   37. Congming De Shunliu Eagle Boy 聪明的顺溜 [] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Military Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi - Not translated. Full CGI weird military comedy.   Overall Rating: 5/10   38. Prison School: Mad Wax 監獄学園[プリズンスクール] マッドワックス [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Gag Humor, School Comedy, Ecchi Hachimitsu Private Academy's five male students have been released from their oppressive prison captors, allowing them to return to their ideal school lives surrounded by short-skirted girls. With their freedom restored, things could not be going better for the gang. Kiyoshi Fujino and Shingo Wakamoto have formed close bonds with their female classmates; Reiji Andou is the center of attention due to his masochistic quirks; and even Takehito "Gakuto" Morokuzu—notorious for defecating himself during class—befriends the klutzy yet like-minded Mitsuko Yokoyama. However, in contrast to his fellow ex-convicts, Jouji "Joe" Nezu struggles to readjust to student life, and the unlikely romantic success of his friend Gakuto pushes him to his wit's end. Feeling ostracized, he begins to wonder if life was better behind bars. Just small after-stories for main characters.   Overall Rating: 6/10   39. Glass no Hana to Kowasu Sekai Garakowa -Restore the World- ガラスの花と壊す世界 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Sci-Fi  Dual and Dorothy, faithful computer antivirus programs, monitor and constantly scan for corruptions in the simulated worlds of the Box of Wisdom. Whenever a virus is detected, it—and in many cases the entire world as well—is forcibly purged. This routine occurs every day without change, until the deletion of a particularly large virus cluster reveals an unknown program—calling herself Remo—with no memory of her function. She offers a fresh perspective into the monotony of Dual and Dorothy's lives as her influence causes the two programs to realize that there is more to life than just their mission. No longer spending their time only watching over the worlds, the three girls start truly experiencing them. As they explore digitally recreated cities and landscapes, Dual and Dorothy develop a special appreciation for what they have, all while searching for clues regarding Remo's forgotten purpose. Two episode long (there is even song in the middle to separate them) dark mahou shoujo, so it's rushed even though quite decent.   Overall Rating: 6/10
  21. kivandopulus
    Several borderline masterpieces spotted - Kaichou wa Maid-sama! , Working!! and Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail with Working!! taking a tender place in my heart.   1. Angel Beats! Angel Beats!（エンジェルビーツ!）  [P.A. Works] (Finished 13/13) Tags: School Drama, Supernatural Death is one of many mysteries that has left humanity in the dark since the dawn of time. However, the burning question of what happens to the soul after one dies is soon answered to 17-year-old Yuzuru Otonashi. Waking up with no previous memories in a dimension between life and death, he discovers the unsettling truth of the afterlife. Taking the form of a high school, this bizarre dimension is designated to shelter those who died unwanted deaths. Feeling wronged by God during their earthly lives, the school's residents have decided to form the Afterlife Battlefront—a rebellious faction determined to oppose their god-like student council president, Kanade "Angel" Tachibana. The group's leader, Yuri Nakamura, recruits Otonashi in their fight against Angel in order to take control of their own lives. However, questioning the morality behind their actions, Otonashi takes a step behind the enemy lines to understand the opposing side of their common fate. I had pretty good impression of Angel Beats when I watched it in the past. But now I can't understand how I could like it. Probably impression got mixed up with High school of the dead. The setting is totally wasted on SOL activity and rather ridiculous conflict with a small girl. It does not transcend the usual visual novel concept of getting emotional with the girls.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Kaichou wa Maid-sama! Maid Sama! 会長はメイド様! [J.C.Staff] (Finished 26/26) Tags: Shoujo School Comedy, Romance Misaki Ayuzawa is a unique phenomenon within Seika High School. In a predominantly male institution, she became the first-ever female student council president through her honesty and diligence. Ever since Misaki got promoted to the position, she has been working tirelessly to ensure a better school life for all girls. Despite that, Misaki is very strict with the boys, which has earned her the title "Demon President." One day, after hearing a girl cry in the hallway, Misaki encounters Takumi Usui—the most popular boy in the school—as he rejects a love confession. Enraged at what she is seeing, Misaki reprimands him for making the girl cry. However, Usui is indifferent and brushes it off as nothing. Unexpectedly, Misaki soon runs into Usui again, but this time when she is working at a maid cafe! Embarrassed that someone has found out about her secret occupation, Misaki promises herself not to let Usui destroy her reputation. However, the mysterious boy now begins to visit the same cafe regularly to observe and tease Misaki. When push comes to shove, will Usui still be able to keep the president's secret? I referenced it so many times that it's evidently a masterpiece in my opinion. It takes a lot from His and Her circumstances and puts it on more modern rails. But this extension to 26 episodes makes the whole middle really episodic, and some episodes feel better than the others. Impression might be even better if I did not watch it all in two sittings.   Overall Rating: 7/10   3. K-On!! K-ON! Season 2 けいおん!! [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 26/26) Tags: CGDCT, Music, School Award Winning, Comedy It is the new year, which means that the senior members of the Light Music Club are now third-years, with Azusa Nakano being the only second-year. The seniors soon realize that Azusa will be the only member left once they graduate and decide to recruit new members. Despite trying many methods of attracting underclassmen—handing out fliers, bringing people into the clubroom, and performing at the welcoming ceremony—there are no signs of anyone that plans to join. While heading to the clubroom, Azusa overhears Yui Hirasawa say that the club is fine with only five people and that they can do many fun things together. Changing her mind, she decides that they do not need to recruit any members for the time being. K-On!! revolves around the members of the Light Music Club as they experience their daily high school life. From rehearsing for concerts to just messing around, they are ready to make their last year together an exciting one! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Kiss x Sis (TV) キスシス [feel.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi After Keita Suminoe's mother passed away, his father promptly remarried, introducing two step-sisters into Keita's life: twins Ako and Riko. But since their fateful first encounter, a surge of incestuous love for their younger brother overcame the girls, beginning a lifelong feud for his heart. Now at the end of his middle school career, Keita studies fervently to be able to attend Ako and Riko's high school. While doing so however, he must resolve his conflicting feelings for his siblings and either reject or succumb to his sisters' intimate advances. Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately for Keita—his sisters aren't the only women lusting after him, and there's no telling when the allure of temptation will get the better of the boy as well. OVA was way too ecchi for TV, so the only part that interests me here is how all those situations get normalized. And it indeed has become much more lighthearted with nudity shifted to undies for the most part. But at least it feels serious.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou Demon King Daimao いちばんうしろの大魔王 [Artland] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Harem, School Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Ecchi Dreaming of changing the world for good, Akuto Sai transfers to Constant Magic Academy where he befriends a virtuous ninja clan member, Junko Hattori. On the way to the academy, they vow to make the world a better place together; however, the situation suddenly takes a turn for the worse upon his arrival—it is prophesied that he will become the Demon King! As word of his destiny spreads, the school begins to fear him, and Junko's trust in him falters. While Akuto is determined to not let his predicted future control his fate, it seems as though everything he says and does only serve to reinforce the fact that he is destined to be the Demon King. Moreover, he is surrounded by a harem of beautiful girls who each have their own plans for him, ranging from bringing him to justice to simply showering him with love. With his newly awakened powers, Akuto must cope with his constantly growing list of misfortunes and fight to prove that his fate is not set in stone. Concept and beginning are quite nice. But it gets more confusing and covered in ecchi and is followed by swift resolution, so I can't call it integrate or even amusing.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei The Tatami Galaxy 四畳半神話大系 [Madhouse] (Finished 3/11) Tags: Psychological, Time Travel Award Winning, Comedy, Mystery, Romance One autumn evening at a mysterious ramen stand behind the Shimogamo Shrine, a lonely third-year college student bumps into a man with an eggplant-shaped head who calls himself a god of matrimony. Meeting this man causes the student to reflect upon his past two years at college—two years bitterly spent trying to break up couples on campus with his only friend Ozu, a ghoulish-looking man seemingly set on making his life as miserable as possible. Resolving to make the most out of the rest of his college life, the student attempts to ask out the unsociable but kind-hearted underclassman Akashi, yet fails to follow through, prompting him to regret not living out his college life differently. As soon as this thought passes through his head, however, he is hurtled through time and space to the beginning of his years at college and given another chance to live his life. Surreal, artistic, and mind-bending, Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei chronicles the misadventures of a young man on a journey to make friends, find love, and experience the rose-colored campus life he always dreamed of. Wow, now I know where Sonny Boy came from. And I really detested Sonny Boy. Horrible art and characters designs, abstract story with pretentious and empty investigation of emotions blah-blah-blah. Praising such works is encouraging more of such works to show up.   Overall Rating: 5/10   7. Working!! Wagnaria!! ワーキング!! [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Seinen Romantic Subtext, Workplace Comedy Due to his love for small, cute things, Souta Takanashi cannot turn childlike Popura Taneshima down when she recruits him to work for Wagnaria, a family restaurant located in Hokkaido. Takanashi takes particular joy in doting on the older Popura, which only fuels her complex over how young she looks. He also quickly learns he must stay on his toes once he meets the rest of his colleagues, including the katana-wielding floor chief Yachiyo Todoroki, the intimidating head chef Jun Satou, the dangerously well-informed and subtly sadistic sous chef Hiroomi Souma, the adamantly lazy manager Kyouko Shirafuji, and the waitress Mahiru Inami who has a "painful" fear of men. Powered by an eccentric cast, Working!! is a unique workplace comedy that follows the never-dull happenings within the walls of Wagnaria as Takanashi and his co-workers' quirky personalities combine to create non-stop antics, shenanigans, and hilarity. I watched everything from Wagnaria and quite enjoyed it. There are a lot of nice characters. But can't say it's especially memorable by humor or story, and I also would not want to rewatch it as I remember relations quite well, and there aren't many more incentives to repeat it all. I guess I'll set with score 7.   Overall Rating: 7/10   8. Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin Rainbow RAINBOW 二舎六房の七人 [Madhouse] (Finished 26/26) Tags: Seinen Delinquents, Historical Drama, Suspense Japan, 1955: Mario Minakami has just arrived at Shounan Special Reform School along with five other teenagers who have been arrested on serious criminal charges. All assigned to the same cell, they meet older inmate Rokurouta Sakuragi—a former boxer—with whom they establish a close bond. Under his guidance, and with the promise that they will meet again on the outside after serving their sentences, the delinquents begin to view their hopeless situation in a better light. The seven cellmates struggle together against the brutal suffering and humiliation inflicted upon them by Ishihara, a sadistic guard with a grudge on Rokurouta, and Gisuke Sasaki, a doctor who takes pleasure in violating boys. Facing such hellish conditions, the seven inmates must scrape together all the strength they have to survive until their sentences are up; but even if they do, just what kind of lives are waiting for them on the other side? I remember trying it at least twice and dropping both times as I was not interested in male prison friendship story. Having finished it now, can't say I like it. First half feels a lot as Ashita no Joe prison arc, second half is just personal stories getting development one by one. Some characters and stories are fine, some aren't. There's a lot of forced drama and unrealistic behavior done in very straightforward manner and therefore with constant stroke of luck involved. In my opinion, it lacks qualities for a masterpiece even though I welcome such unusual kind of story in anime.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. B-gata H-kei Yamada's First Time: B Gata H Kei B型H系 [Hal Film Maker] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Seinen School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Most people, including the girl herself, would say that first year high school student Yamada is beautiful and perfect. Despite this, she is working towards a peculiar goal: to have sex with one hundred men by the end of high school. Trying to put some sense into her head, Yamada's best friend, Miharu Takeshita, points out a major flaw in that plan—she is completely inexperienced with men. However, the reason behind this is that Yamada thinks her lady parts look strange and believes others will judge her for it. As a result, Yamada decides that her first time must be with a fellow virgin, since they will not hurt or scare her. After a fateful encounter, she sets her sights on the shy and average Takashi Kosuda, an aspiring photographer with a heart of gold. With contending rivals for his affection and her own raging hormones, Yamada must find ways to seduce Kosuda and take his cherry. However, as she gets closer to Kosuda, she finds herself increasingly enjoying their time spent together. The concept is set in stone, so only situations are going to multiply the further it goes. And I like contemporary ecchi comedies not tied by one concept more as there's more depth in them.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Arakawa Under the Bridge 荒川アンダー ザ ブリッジ [Shaft] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Seinen Comedy, Romance  Kou Ichinomiya is the son of a wealthy businessman who holds a firm belief in his elite status. As such, he is determined to avoid becoming indebted to anyone; but one day, after a run-in with some mischievous kids on Arakawa Bridge, he ends up falling into the river running underneath. Luckily for him, a passerby is there to save him—but now, he owes his life to this stranger! Angered by this, Kou insists on paying her back, but this may just be the worst deal the arrogant businessman has ever made. The stranger—a stoic, tracksuit-wearing homeless girl known only as Nino—lives in a cardboard box under the bridge and wants only one thing: to fall in love. Asking Kou to be her boyfriend, he has no choice but to accept, forcing him to move out of his comfortable home and start a new life under the bridge! I tried to watch everything seinen, so of course finished this one, and I got no strong feelings towards it. It has strong comedy start and some amusing inhabitants with protagonist presenting a rationalizing look on all this weirdness. Overall, humor is good, but not conceptual enough - more of reactional one.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Hakuouki Hakuoki ~Demon of the Fleeting Blossom~ 薄桜鬼 [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Josei Historical, Samurai Action, Drama, Supernatural In 1864 Japan, a young woman named Chizuru Yukimura is searching for her missing father, Koudou, a doctor by trade whose work often takes him far from home. But with no word from him in months, Chizuru disguises herself as a man and heads to Kyoto in search of him. Attracting the attention of ronin, she tries to hide and ends up witnessing a horrifying sight: the ronin being brutally murdered by crazed white-haired men. In a startling turn of events, members of the Shinsengumi arrive to dispatch the creatures. But Chizuru's safety doesn't last long, as this group of men tie her up and take her back to their headquarters, unsure of whether to let her live or silence her permanently. However, once she reveals the name of her father, the Shinsengumi decide to keep her safe, as they too have been searching for him. But Koudou is more connected to the Shinsengumi than they let on, and soon Chizuru finds herself embroiled in a conflict between the Shinsengumi and their enemies, as well as political tension in Kyoto. It's adaptation of long-standing otome visual novel series. As for me, it's bishounen reverse harem and thus can't stand it.   Overall Rating: 5/10   12. Mayoi Neko Overrun! Stray Cats Overrun! 迷い猫オーバーラン! [AIC] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Harem Comedy, Romance Takumi Tsuzuki is a high school student who attends the Umenomori Private Academy, free of charge, alongside Fumino Serizawa, a childhood friend of his whom always says the opposite of what she feels. He spends most of his time at school fending off Chise Umenomori, the granddaughter of the board chairman and a pampered princess, who is constantly roping him into her eccentric hobbies. After school, he goes to work at the "Stray Cats" confectionery, a cake shop run by his adoptive older sister, Otome Tsuzuki, until it's time to go to bed. This is the average routine in the day and the life of Takumi. Mayoi Neko Overrun follows another seemingly average day in the life of Takumi. With his sister away from the shop, having gone to save someone else in need of help, Fumino takes it upon herself to wake him up so that he won't be late for their usual walk to school together, giving him a glimpse of her blue and white striped panties in the process. What a nice way to start the day. When Otome returns home, she brings with her a girl named Nozomi Kiriya, whose hair and mannerisms resemble that of a large cat. It turns out that she is a runaway that Otome can't help but take in. Takumi's ordinary days are transformed into splendid chaos as he tries to unravel who this mysterious beauty is and what she's running away from... Pretty random SOL harem with various tilts and several archetypes. Can't say it's worth the time spent.   Overall Rating: 5/10   13. Saraiya Goyou House of Five Leaves さらい屋 五葉 [Manglobe] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Historical, Samurai Drama Masanosuke "Masa" Akitsu is a wandering ronin adrift in Japan's peaceful Edo period. Despite being a skilled swordsman, Masa's meek personality has netted him the label "unreliable," and he is often abruptly dismissed by his employers, leading him to question his resolve as a samurai. As Masa reaches his lowest point, he is approached by Yaichi, a carefree man draped in pink who seemingly hires him on a whim as his bodyguard. Unbeknownst to Masa, the job is not as innocent as it seems, and he is drawn into the illicit activities of the group spearheaded by Yaichi. As he becomes further entwined with the gang known as the Five Leaves, Masa struggles with his own principles. Still, his curiosity spurs him forward to uncover the past and motivations of this mysterious band of outlaws. This early seinen starts to be synonym for suffering. Why drawing has to be so ugly each time? So expect a slow dull pathetic development done randomly by unmotivated people. If it's not synonym to waste of time, it's quite close.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Giant Killing ジャイアントキリング [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Seinen Team Sports Drama, Sports East Tokyo United (ETU) has been struggling in Japan's top soccer league for the past few years. It has taken everything they have just to avoid relegation. To make matters even worse, the team has lost five matches in a row, leading to abysmal team morale. Even the fans are beginning to abandon them, and rumors hint that the home ground municipality is going to withdraw their support. With countless coaches fired and poor financial choices in hiring players, it is a downward spiral for ETU. The board of directors, under pressure from general manager Kousei Gotou, takes a gamble and hires a new coach—the slightly eccentric Takeshi Tatsumi. Though considered a great soccer player when he was younger, Tatsumi abandoned ETU years ago. However, since then, he has proven himself successful as the manager of one of England's lower division amateur teams. Tatsumi's task won't be easy; ETU fans call him a traitor, and the team is pitted against others with larger budgets and better players. Yet even the underdog can take down a goliath, and Tatsumi claims he is an expert at giant killing. Don't want to block Sports tag as it's a very broad concept and is often involved with girls who do things in a cute way, but don't expect me to enjoy pure spokons.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Bakugan Battle Brawlers: New Vestroia Bakugan: New Vestroia 爆丸バトルブローラーズ New Vestroia [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Strategy Game Adventure, Fantasy After the final downfall of the rogue Bakugan Naga, peace was brought back to Vestroia. With the help of Danma Kuusou, his companion Pyrus Dragonoid, and other Battle Brawlers, the Infinity and Silent Cores were combined and the realm was recreated. However, New Vestroia will not be given any respite as humanoid alien invaders, the Vestals, arrive and conquer the Bakugan world in one fell swoop. Armed with a fearsome machine capable of restricting Bakugan into their ball forms, they aim to enslave the race as a form of entertainment. Now, the only force standing in their way is the Bakugan Battle Brawlers Resistance—a group of humans, Bakugan, and Vestals who oppose the idea of annihilating a sentient race. Led by Danma, they must venture into enemy-occupied New Vestroia and repel the invaders, to assure the survival of the entire world. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   16. Major S6 メジャー 第6シリーズ [SynergySP] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen Team Sports The intense Baseball World Cup has reached its conclusion. Gorou Honda has regained his passion for baseball and is once again back in full gear. He has secured a team position with the Hornets and has travelled back to America to prepare for his spectacular debut as a Major League pitcher. However, Gorou encounters a sudden series of unexpected issues and devastating events follow, crushing his motivation and potentially reducing the baseball career that he has worked tirelessly to maintain into crumbs. In the final season of Major, Gorou must yet again overcome immense hardship in order to save his baseball career. This time there is no simple solution, as the problem is deeply rooted within his own mind... Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Ikkitousen: Xtreme Xecutor 一騎当千 Xtreme Xecutor [Arms, TNK] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Martial Arts, School, Super Power Action, Ecchi Life gets crazy for Hakufu when she takes on a pupil that acts just like her! A tournament between the school heads start, but due to Hakufu's negligence, her pupil ends up taking her place. The tournament isn't what it seems, and the girls find themselves in the middle of a plot to take over the clans. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Senkou no Night Raid Night Raid 1931 閃光のナイトレイド [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Historical, Military, Super Power Action The year is 1931. The city is Shanghai. Ten years before America will enter World War II, the hydra's teeth planted by the first great global conflict are beginning to germinate. Hatching like spiders, they weave the complex web of plots and conspiracies destined to inevitably draw entire nations to the brink of destruction. Caught in the heart of these webs, desperately seeking to separate lies from truth, is "Sakurai Kikan," an ultra-secret intelligence agency staffed by extraordinarily talented individuals with abilities far beyond those of normal humans. Their duty: to stop the darkest plots and eliminate the greatest threats. But in a city built on intrigue, can even a team of clairvoyants, telepaths and espers stand against the ultimate forces of destiny? I have prejudice against espers with superpowers, especially when team of such espers investigates some case or mystery. Only some outstanding cast could save it, but of course it did not happen.   Overall Rating: 5/10   19. Ookiku Furikabutte: Natsu no Taikai-hen Big Windup! 2 おおきく振りかぶって　〜夏の大会編〜 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Team Sports Picking up where the original series left off, Ren Mihashi, the ace pitcher of the newly-formed Nishiura High School baseball team, and his teammates face the Sakitama High School team in the next round of the High School Baseball Invitational Tournament as they aim to play in the finals at legendary Hanshin Koushien Stadium. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Heroman ヒーローマン [Bones] (Finished 3/26) Tags: Shounen Action, Sci-Fi In California's Center City, shy but kindhearted Joseph Carter "Joey" Jones lives with his grandmother, working in a coffee shop. Though his family is financially burdened and he is bullied at school, he remains cheerful. A robotics enthusiast, he wants a top-of-the-line toy robot called a Heybo more than anything. One day Joey and his friend Simon "Psy" Kaina come across a destroyed Heybo discarded by a group of rich kids. He takes it home and repairs it himself, excitedly naming it Heroman. However, one night Heroman is struck by lightning and comes to life, growing several times its size in the process. That same night Center City is attacked by aliens called Skrugg whose attention was brought to Earth after Joey's acquaintance Professor Matthew Denton made attempts to contact them. Along with Joey, Heroman quickly heads to the scene of the attack, where he finds people in trouble, including his friend Lina Davis and her father. Using an arm-mounted controller, Joey is able to command Heroman to use superpowers to fight off the Skrugg and rescue civilians. As the aliens continue their invasion of Earth, the duo are the only ones separating humanity and destruction. I facepalmed several times just while reading the synopsis. I was absolutely sure it was story from some 70s as it's too simple to be modern. Being put to modern rails, story still has a lot of limitations. Execution and characters are ok, but in the end it's just a boring shounen that has little to remember it by.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Shin Koihime†Musou: Otome Tairan 真恋姫†無双 ~乙女大乱~ [Doga Kobo] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Historical Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Ecchi The third season of Koihime Musou.  Han's high court general Kashin (何進) was forced to swallow a cursed pill from Chou Jou. The effect is slowly turning her into a cat, which she dislikes. Chou Jou also made use of the emperor's name to dispose her from the Han court as a traitor. She met Kada during her escape while Kada brought her to the Touka village, whom he believes they would help her. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Jewelpet Twinkle☆ ジュエルペット てぃんくる☆ [Studio Comet] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Shoujo Anthropomorphic, School Fantasy In Jewel Land, Jewelpets, creatures who has the natural ability to use magic lived in harmony with the Witches, attending the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to learn to use magic with their Jewel Eyes. However for Ruby, a white Japanese Hare whose magic sometimes fail, is appointed to go to the Human World to search for her partner. But when she used the card the magicians gave her, she was sent to the Human World by accident. In the Human World, A girl named Akari Sakura met her on the beach on her way to school. At first, Akari can't understand her due to her Jewel Land Language until Ruby took a special candy so she could speak and understand human language. As the day passes, Ruby knew about her problems and later apologized. A Jewel Charm appeared on Akari's hand and she realized it that she's chosen by Ruby to be her partner. After that, she decided to enter the Jewel Star Grand Prix, on the prize is that any wish that they wanted will be granted. Will she be the Next Jewel Star and her wish be granted in the end? Or It'll just end in one big disaster... Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   23. Hime Chen! Otogi Chikku Idol Lilpri Spellbound! Magical Princess Lilpri ひめチェン! おとぎちっくアイドル リルぷりっ [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Fantasy The Fairytale World is in trouble. Its princesses and their respective worlds are disappearing, causing a ripple effect in the human world where their stories are popular. In order to save the Fairytale World, the Queen sends three magic animals, Sei, Dai, and Ryoku, to the human world with magic gems to find three girls who can become the "Super Miracle Idols," the princesses Snow White, Cinderella, and Kaguya-hime. Those "princesses" end up being three little girls: Yukimori Ringo, Takashiro Layla, and Sasahara Natsuki. But the gems transform them into older singing superstars, and after their accidental debut at the singer Wish's concert, they become known as "Little Princesses," or "LilPri." Now they must collect Happiness Tones from humans in order to restore the Fairytale World. Mahou shoujo for younger audiences. I see only cringe stamps here.   Overall Rating: 5/10   24. SD Gundam Sangokuden Brave Battle Warriors SDガンダム三国伝 Brave Battle Warriors [Sunrise] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Historical, Mecha Action A Romance of the Three Kingdoms retelling using SD Gundams. Well, I'm fond of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, so I had to sample it... but it's the worst and most artificial version that I've ever seen. I'm puzzled of why it can exist at all.   Overall Rating: 5/10   25. Gokujou!! Mecha Mote Iinchou Second Collection The Best!! Extremely Cool Student Council President Second Collection 極上!!めちゃモテ委員長 セカンドコレクション [Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Shoujo School Comedy, Romance The continuation of Gokujou!! Mecha Mote Iinchou with a new title. Episode numbers continue from 51. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Saikyou Bushouden: Sangoku Engi The Legend of the Strongest General: Romance of the Three Kingdoms 最强武将传·三国演义 [Hisashishi Videos, TOMY Company] (Finished 5/52) Tags: Historical Future Planet, Beijing Huihuang Animation Company Chinese-Japanese anime adaptation of the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" classic novel. Lui Bei embarks on a journey to quell the chaos that plagues his homeland, bringing with him his sworn brothers, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu. With only a small army and no land Lui Bei is forced to take a subservient role to other Generals, in order to keep him safe from those who continually come after his life. It might be the best version of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but only five episodes are translated, so there's a limit to the score I can give in such state. I'll definitely bookmark it to check the rest later.   Overall Rating: 6/10   27. Ring ni Kakero 1: Kage Dou-hen リングにかけろ1 影道編 [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/6) Tags: Shounen Action, Sports After defeating Black Shaft's makeshift Team America, the Golden Japan Jr. team returns to training for the World Tournament that will be held in Tokyo. But during training the Shadow Clan, which uses boxing as an assassination technique, kidnaps Kiku in order to lure Ryuji and the others into a fight to see who's truly the better representatives of Japan's junior boxers. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Choegang Habche: Mix Master Mix Master: Final Force 최강 합체 믹스마스터 [Sunwoo Entertainment] (Finished 1/39) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy  Mix Masters Final Force is the second season of the original mix masters show. In this story, Ditt forgets that he was a mix master. But when the time comes to save the world once again, he finds new friends to help him in his battle against Eva and Babel, the two new antagonists. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   29. Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail [Madhouse] (Finished 5/5) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Organized Crime Action Crime never sleeps in Roanapur, and neither does Roberta—a devoted maid and skilled guerilla soldier in service to the Venezuelan Lovelace family. After the assassination of her superior by the US Secret Service, Roberta returns to the city of debauchery in search of vengeance and his killer's head. Meanwhile, young Fernando Garcia Lovelace, the new heir to his father's estate, tails Roberta to Thailand alongside his bodyguard, Fabiola Iglesias. He enlists the help of the Lagoon Company, with the objective of deterring Roberta's warpath and bringing her back to the family. However, with the continued bloodshed and mounting tensions between Roberta, island crime factions, and the US military, it will take a significant amount of strategy—and weaponry—to stop her relentless quest for revenge. A worthy Swan Song for Black Lagoon.   Overall Rating: 7/10   30. Kyou, Koi wo Hajimemasu Today We Start Our Love 今日、恋をはじめます [J.C.Staff] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Shoujo School Romance Hibino Tsubaki is a shy, kind, and slightly old-fashioned girl who has always been the top student in her class. She always did everything her parents wanted her to do. She loved to do other girls' hair in trendy and cute styles, despite always wearing plain braids herself. On her first day of high school at the opening ceremony, she is astonished to see that the top student giving the opening speech is not only somebody else, but also the rudest boy she has ever seen. This delinquent turns out to be her new classmate, Kyouta Tsubaki. Kyouta teases Hibino, drawing attention to their similar last names. The two are both top of their class, but are different in every other way. Even though it seems that they cannot stand each other, fate has something else in store for them… Total ripoff as only some culmination moments are cut into two not even full episodes.   Overall Rating: 5/10   31. Gintama Movie 1: Shinyaku Benizakura-hen Gintama: The Movie 劇場版 銀魂 新訳紅桜篇 [Sunrise] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Historical, Parody, Samurai Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi Gintoki and his Yorozuya friends (or rather, employees suffering under labor violations), Shinpachi and Kagura, continue to scrape by in the futuristic, alien-infested city of Edo. They take on whatever work they can find while trying not to get involved in anything too dangerous. But when Katsura, the leader of the Joui rebels and Gintoki's long-time acquaintance, disappears after being brutally attacked by an unknown assassin, Shinpachi and Kagura begin an investigation into his whereabouts and the identity of the assailant. Meanwhile, Gintoki takes on a seemingly unrelated job: the blacksmith Tetsuya requests that Gin recover a strange and powerful sword called the Benizakura which was recently stolen. As the two investigations gradually intersect, the Yorozuya crew find themselves in the midst of a major conspiracy that hinges on the sinister nature of the Benizakura sword. Gintoki resolves to take the fight directly to the enemy headquarters, and together with a few unexpected allies, sets out on one of his most perilous jobs yet. I do value at least one Gintama movie over the series, but definitely not this first movie.   Overall Rating: 6/10   32. Trigun: Badlands Rumble Trigun - Badlands Rumble [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Adult Cast Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Vash the Stampede is a contradiction. He has a notorious reputation as "The Humanoid Typhoon," laying anything he comes across to waste on the desolate planet of Gunsmoke. However, Vash is in fact very non-confrontational and kind-hearted, living by a code of pacifism. Twenty years ago, a high-profile bank heist went sour. The ringleader, Gasback Gallon Getaway, swore to get back at his backstabbing crew and the man who stopped him from killing them: Vash the Stampede. In the present day, the traitorous crew has been living the good life as successful entrepreneurs and politicians. Although two decades have passed, Gasback's bitterness has not waned as he aims to take them down one by one, by any means necessary. Just in time to foil Gasback's plot, Vash has arrived in Macca City. Teaming up with the mysterious Amelia Ann McFly, along with the insurance agents Milly Thompson and Meryl Stryfe, Vash is ready to rumble. Just wanted to recheck, maybe I missed something in Trigun. And that's not the case as I see now, because Trigun was never too deep - it's just action, humor, cool characters. This time there are more varied bandits than usual, a new female acquaintance and more colorful environment.   Overall Rating: 6/10   33. Break Blade Movie 1: Kakusei no Toki Broken Blade ブレイク ブレイド 覚醒ノ刻 [Production I.G, Xebec] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Adult Cast, Mecha, Military Action, Fantasy Rygart Arrow is different compared to the other people in the continent of Cruzon: he is unable to control quartz, branded an "un-sorcerer." Despite this, he still befriends the future king and queen of Krisna—Hodr and Sigyn—as well as Zess, the younger brother of the Athens Commonwealth's Secretary of War. Several years later, Rygart discovers that there is a war brewing between Krisna and Athens. While visiting Binonten, the capital city of Krisna, he learns that his misfortune as an un-sorcerer enables him to pilot an ancient Golem, a unique ability that quartz-wielding users lack. As Zess leads one of the Athenian strikes upon the capital, Rygart joins the battle with his newfound power in hopes of mending the schism between the two nations. I don't like mecha and fantasy fusion, and all the mecha that I appreciate are mecha vs stronger powers like Bokura no and Evangelion, not some eternal civil war powered by revenge and misunderstanding. And Break Blade fails to impress so far as it has not gone far from Gundams yet with magic hardly having any meaning.   Overall Rating: 6/10   34. Break Blade Movie 2: Ketsubetsu no Michi Broken Blade 2 ブレイクブレイド 訣別ノ路 [Production I.G, Xebec] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Second Break Blade movie. Bleak continuation with development of usual rival/friend ties etc - basically a filler.   Overall Rating: 6/10   35. "Bungaku Shoujo" Movie 劇場版“文学少女” [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: School Drama, Mystery, Romance  The protagonist of the story, Konoha Inoue, is a seemingly normal senior high 2nd year student. His high school life, other than a hinted incident 2 years ago, can be summed up as normal- if one can dismiss the secret fact that he used to be a female bestselling romance author. Due to that incident, however, he has now vowed never to write again. This continued on until he was forced to join the literary club by the literary club president, the 3rd year female student Amano Tooko, a beautiful girl who has a taste for eating literary works. Now he has been tasked with writing her snack every day after school. Just introduce a memorable concept and can slack on the rest - that's basically what happened.   Overall Rating: 5/10   36. Hetalia Axis Powers Movie: Paint it, White Hetalia Axis Powers: Paint it, White! 銀幕ヘタリア Axis Powers Paint it, White (白くぬれ！) [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical, Parody Comedy One day, aliens from the planet Pict launch a devastating invasion on Earth. Their sole purpose is to transform all of humanity into "Noppera"—featureless creatures with plain white skin, glowing antennae, and no face. This prompts the world's nations to counterattack, but they are all ultimately defeated, as they each launched their offensives separately. And so, both the Allied and Axis nations of Hetalia Axis Powers Movie: Paint it, White must band together and unite their powers to stop the alien invasion and save their planet. I can't stand anime with episodes of approximately 5 minutes long, so could not bring up series, but I can get acquainted through a movie. Wide use of 3D. Concept of just getting together to withstand aliens is terrible. Characters representing states and reproducing stamps are super cringy. I'm glad I skipped the series.   Overall Rating: 5/10   37. Crayon Shin-chan Movie 18: Chou Jikuu! Arashi wo Yobu Ora no Hanayome クレヨンしんちゃん 超時空！嵐を呼ぶオラの花嫁 [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi Comical action adventure film set in the future world, like a dystopian science fiction. Shinnosuke's future fiancee, Tamiko Kaneari comes from the future via the time machine. She says her father Masuzo Kaneari captures adult Shinnosuke in the future world and they needs the power of Shinnosuke at age 5 to rescue him. She takes Shinnosuke and Kasukabe Defense Forces members to the future big city Neotokio, which is the world ruled by Masuzo Kaneari, the president of the electric power company Kaneari Electric. Time travel to future is rarely a good choice. So after main intrigue of how old Shinnosuke looks like  there's nothing to look forward to. It was actually nice to see the future versions of kindergarten kids. But enjoyment is not enough for a masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 6/10   38. Planzet プランゼット [Sentai Filmworks] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mecha Action, Sci-Fi In 2047, an unknown, alien life-form descends upon the Earth, destroying all the major cities in one fell swoop. The survivors unite and build a Diffusor to stop the Februus, the invaders the military would later codename the FOS, and a temporary peace is achieved. Jump forward to 2053, the present. PLANZET: The final plan, Plan Zed, to retake Planet Earth. A last, desperate counterattack against the enemy. Hiroshi Akishima, soldier in the Planetary Defense Forces Alliance, would like nothing better than a shot at the aliens responsible for his father's death six years ago. However, the new offensive requires the Diffusor to be dropped, leaving the entire planet terribly vulnerable once more. Will humanity regain the stars or lose everything in the final, ultimate gamble? It's full CG and graphic feels imperfect - slightly above average compared to Advent Children. Concept is pretty much mecha against UFOs. All mecha have one weak side - they have ammo for like x3 shots and they never know how much ammo is left - it repeats over and over to absurdity. Deus Ex Machina is on the rise by the end, so impression is severely dented.   Overall Rating: 5/10   39. Junod Dr. Junod ジュノー [Studio Hibari] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical, Medical Drama Mii and Yuko, two junior high school students are visiting Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on a school trip when they come upon a monument dedicated to Dr. Marcel Junod standing forlornly in a corner of the park. They wonder who Dr. Junod was and what he did. Just then they are bathed in a strange light and transported back to Europe, more than 70 years before. It is 1935. The young Dr. Junod, who has been working in a hospital in Mulhouse, France, is heading to Ethiopia as a delegate of the ICRC. Time travelers Mii and Yuko set off along Dr. Junod's path of hardship and turmoil. In Ethiopia, Dr. Junod witnesses attacks on Red Cross workers and the use of poison gas. One after another people are felled. The young doctor sees firsthand the horrors of war, but buoyed by an indomitable spirit he willingly offers a helping hand to those who are suffering as a result of the war. Dr. Junod's work takes him from Ethiopia to Spain and across the European battlefields of World War II. He works to improve the treatment of prisoners of war and arranges prisoner exchanges. He establishes a method for prisoners and their families to write to each other. He secures routes for the delivery of relief supplies. As a humanitarian, Dr. Junod offers moral support to the weak. Seeing that, Mii and Yuko reflect on their own lives and problems. Red cross SOL is quite boring, and two time travelling girls don't really help.   Overall Rating: 5/10   40. Piercing I 刺痛我 [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama  Due to the financial crisis, many factories in China are forced to close their doors in late 2008. Zhang Xiaojun loses his job in a shoe factory. One day, a supermarket guard beats him up, thinking Zhang is a thief. In vain, he asks the supermarket manager for financial redress. Zhang’s dearest wish is to return to his village and become a farmer. But right before his departure, the police arrest him. The supermarket manager also has his problems. On a moonlit night, the storylines converge in a teahouse near the city rampart. Chinese amateur movie, so visual quality is non-existent. Social commentary on 2008 crisis hitting China is unwelcome. Can't find any appeal points in here.   Overall Rating: 5/10   41. Chao Wa Zhanshi AniMen: Triton Force 超蛙战士 [Shanghai Hippo Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mecha, Military, Space Action, Sci-Fi Over time, the people residing on Swampland began to take on new forms, their modified DNA altering their physiology to better suit their new environment. Generations passed and their original forms were forgotten; these humans had evolved into a new race: the Frogmen. If history (and genetics for that matter) shows us anything, it is that there is always variety. The genetic "success" of the Frogmen was also mirrored by the "achievements" of another group of human descent: the Cockroaches, otherwise known as the T-zhu Alliance. The brutal T-Hy poured out into the galaxy seeking new territories, resources, and the data crystals left by the original human explorers. The T-Hy's material driven hunger broke the peaceful lives of the Frogmen forcing them to take up arms in order to stop the T-Hy's insatiable ambitions. So began the MALO war. Full CG, reminds PS2 when deals with characters. Rebel nation challenges empire. Space mecha fights don't have exposition, so look confusing. It all feels like a boring computer game.   Overall Rating: 5/10   42. Jianzhen da Heshang 鑑真大和尚 [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Educational, Historical  In 742 A.D., the first year of Xuantianbao in Tang Dynasty, Japanese monks Rongrui and Puzhao heard of the reputation of Monk Jianzhen, and they went to Daming Temple in Yangzhou to meet with Monk Jianzhen and invited him to Japan to teach the Dharma. The Great Monk Zhen carried forward the Dharma for Dongdu. After five failures, including the death of his disciples, the obstruction of the government, and even blindness in both eyes, etc., he still did not change his ambition. He combined the then prosperous Chinese Buddhism with Chinese medicine, art, and architecture, literature, etc., were transmitted to Japan by water. Monk Jianzhen not only introduced precepts to complete the Japanese Vinaya sect, but also indirectly influenced the rise of two masters in the history of Japanese Buddhism—Kukairen of Shingon and Saicheng Master of Tendai Sect, and thus developed the development of Japanese Buddhism in the Heian and Ikura periods. Heyday. In terms of cultural influence, the architecture, sculpture, calligraphy, painting, medicine and even people's daily necessities introduced by the master Dongdu left the Tang culture with a precious and rich heritage in Japan. That is why Monk Jianzhen was praised as the "giant of balance culture" in Japan. Through the presentation of animation, this film hopes to introduce the public to understand the life of a generation of masters. Not translated. Ancient monk biography bringing Buddhism from China to Japan feels really bleak   Overall Rating: 5/10
  22. kivandopulus
    As expected, nothing could rival Great Teacher Onizuka this season.   1. Great Teacher Onizuka グレート・ティーチャー・オニヅカ [Pierrot] (Finished 43/43) Tags: Shounen Delinquents, School, Workplace Comedy, Drama Twenty-two-year-old Eikichi Onizuka—ex-biker gang leader, conqueror of Shonan, and virgin—has a dream: to become the greatest high school teacher in all of Japan. This isn't because of a passion for teaching, but because he wants a loving teenage wife when he's old and gray. Still, for a perverted, greedy, and lazy delinquent, there is more to Onizuka than meets the eye. So when he lands a job as the homeroom teacher of the Class 3-4 at the prestigious Holy Forest Academy—despite suplexing the Vice Principal—all of his talents are put to the test, as this class is particularly infamous. Due to their utter contempt for all teachers, the class' students use psychological warfare to mentally break any new homeroom teacher they get, forcing them to quit and leave school. However, Onizuka isn't your average teacher, and he's ready for any challenge in his way. Bullying, suicide, and sexual harassment are just a few of the issues his students face daily. By tackling the roots of their problems, Onizuka supports them with his unpredictable and unconventional methods—even if it means jumping off a building to save a suicidal child. Thanks to his eccentric charm and fun-loving nature, Class 3-4 slowly learns just how enjoyable school can be when you're the pupils of the Great Teacher Onizuka. Watched it in the past, but never had any piety towards it despite it heading many ancient ratings. Weird phrases like "GTO taught me how to live" alienate even more. I don't consider it a genius masterpiece, but at the same time I gave 8 even to its youth prequel, so 9 is a just right score to differentiate it .   Overall Rating: 9/10   2. Medarot Medabots メダロット [Bee Train] (Finished 3/52) Tags: Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi Medabots—powerful robots granted artificial intelligence through special "medals"—serve at the whims of their owner. They are more commonly used in "Robbatling," a popular combat sport where two medabots face off against one another. In its professional form, Medafighters use their Medabots to qualify for the World Tournament and fight amongst the elite to gain the title of champion. Elementary schooler Ikki Tenryou has just gained his first Medabot: Metabee, an outdated model with no medal. Fortunately, however, Ikki manages to find a medal in the nearby river; but when Ikki places it into Metabee's head, the latter starts to exhibit strange behaviour. Short-tempered and rebellious, he refuses to obey Ikki's orders. However, to climb the ranks to the World Tournament, Ikki and Metabee must first learn to work together, no matter how difficult the prospect may seem… How can anyone older than 12 y.o. like it... Another Pokemon imitation to sell merchandise. I might understand if humor was great, but no, absolutely average like everything in this anime.   Overall Rating: 5/10   3. Kachou Ouji Legend of Black Heaven 課長王子 [AIC, APPP] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Music, Space Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Slice of Life Oji Tanaka has a wife, a child and a mundane job as a salary man in Tokyo's modern society. But life wasn't dull for him to begin with; 15 years ago, he was known as "Gabriel", leader of a short-lived heavy metal band called Black Heaven. Oji's life gets a sudden change in direction when he is invited by a mysterious blonde woman named Layla to pick up his Gibson Flying V and once again display his "legendary" guitar skills, not knowing that his music generates power for a massive weapon in an intergalactic war. For a long time I could not understand the concept of this series, so in the end watched it all. And I want to say that it has charm as long as mystery remains. In the end it's just another variation of Macross 7 , and all the other subplots end nowhere. I can't call it a musical show either , because it's literally a single song show, plus one more for finale. It's not a bad show, but shallow concept does not allow to bring it to recommendation list.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Senkaiden Houshin Engi 仙界伝 封神演義 [Studio Deen] (Finished 6/26) Tags: Shounen Historical Adventure, Fantasy, Supernatural Thousands of years ago, it was a time of witchcraft and dark magic. An evil sorceress has bewitched the emperor of the mighty dynasty and he has become a mindless puppet. The country is in shambles, and evil spirits lurk everywhere. The human world is on the verge of utter destruction. A bold mission is planned by the Confederation of the Immortal Masters. They send a young master wizard to hunt down the villains and evil warlocks in the devastated lands. Had to watch as many as 6 episodes to make sure I got concept right , but it kept tasting like an old chewing gum - outrageously bland.   Overall Rating: 5/10   5. Mahoutsukai Tai! (TV) Magic User's Club 魔法使いTai! [Madhouse, Triangle Staff] (Finished 3/13) Tags: School Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi  The aliens have been defeated, and the Bell has been transformed into a gigantic cherry tree. Now, the brave Magic User's Club must reconvene to deal with a new problem. Apparently, some inconsiderate persons left a skyscraper sized cherry tree in the middle of Tokyo, and it's become a major inconvenience to everyone in the city. Even though they have no idea who could have done such a thing, the Club feels strangely responsible and springs into action. Meanwhile, a mysterious person is spying on the magic club in the form of a small boy. OVA was decent and provided a new look on mahou shoujo, but it was already getting tiresome by the end. They managed to return the novelty mood from the beginning and added cute SOL that was never present in OVA, but this franchise never had direction or aim to follow. Can't recommend aimless pastime.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Alexander Senki Reign: The Conqueror アレクサンダー戦記 [Madhouse] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Historical Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Supernatural In 356 BC, Alexander the Great arrives in Greece with the ominous destiny that he will become the "destroyer of the world." Inheriting the crown, he becomes king of the Macedonians and starts down a road of conquest with terrific speed. Alexander ultimately confronts his fated nemesis, Darius the Third, in a war with Persia which changes Alexander into the devil he was fated to become, assuring the destruction of all in his path, and possibly himself. Eeeeeh... what the hell. Lots of half-naked bishounens weave intrigues and sometimes clash in weird battles. With somewhat traditional anime style it might be passable, but visual style is absolutely repelling.   Overall Rating: 4/10   7. Kakyuusei (TV) 下級生 [PP Project] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Harem, School Drama, Romance When Tsuyoshi rushed to school as usual, he found a girl who tried to help a kitten which couldn't get down from a tree. It was Minamizato Ai who had loved Tsuyoshi secretly for a long time. It's cute all right, but if there's nothing else, cuteness must be at Godly level. Protagonist is also here better than average, but that's not enough, and I'm not giving away masterpieces for cuteness.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Kyoro-chan キョロちゃん [Group TAC] (Finished 3/91) Tags: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy  While exploring ruins on Angel Island, a doctor finds a myserious newborn bird called Kyoro-chan. Together they form a bond and decide to travel the world together. Three years later when the Doctor and Kyoro-chan try to return to Angel Island they become shipwrecked from a storm. Kyoro-chan was able to make it safely to the island but the Doctor was nowhere to be found. Kyoro-chan prays for his safety and hope he returns as he now starts his new life on Angel Island. Not translated. Anthropomorphic comedy - rather simple and straightforward.   Overall Rating: 5/10   9. Uchuu Kaizoku Mito no Daibouken: Futari no Joou-sama Space Pirate Mito 2 宇宙海賊ミトの大冒険 2人の女王様 [Triangle Staff] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi  Aoi was raised as a normal boy on Earth. Little did he know he was the heir apparent to Mito, the Queen-turned-Space-Pirate of an alien race that chooses their sex at puberty! Aoi fell in love with Mutsuki, the police officer who was chasing Mito, and the three of them saved the Universe. The only side effect was that Aoi blossomed into a beautiful young woman. Now a malevolent entity calling herself the true Queen of the Universe appears with enough power to destroy entire planets. Aoi must defend her new throne, but she needs Mutsuki's help. Mutsuki must come to terms with her own feelings for Aoi so they can defend Earth together and become the galaxy's first royal pair of queens. For those who liked prequel, naturally.   Overall Rating: 5/10   10. Xi You Ji Journey to the West: Legends of the Monkey King 西游记 [CCTV Animation] (Finished 3/52) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy  Sun Wukong, who was born from a magic stone, has been imprisoned underneath a mountain for five centuries for his mischief in the heavens. One day, the Diety Guanyin told Wukong that the Monk Tangsen will set him free, and Wukong will join him on a pilgrimage from China to India. The next day, Xuanzang came and set him free, and the two started their Journey to the west. Along the way, they meet two new friends, Zhu Bajie and the Hermit Sha Wujing who joins them on the journey; together, they face many dangers and evil creatures and sorcerers and learn to get along. There are two reasons to watch this - either you're a child or have no other ways to learn story of Journey to the West. In my case I don't even want to learn because ancient mythology is inevitably aimless adventures with miracles.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Nanako Kaitai Shinsho Amazing Nurse Nanako 菜々子解体診書 [Radix] (Finished 3/6) Tags: Mecha, Military Comedy, Sci-Fi Nanako is a an inept apprentice nurse to the brilliant young Dr. Kouji. Now for some reason, Nanako is always being targeted by various elements which makes Nanako wonder if she has done anything wrong. But there are certain secrets to Nanako's past that only Dr. Kouji and his family know about. Fanservice is the only outstanding feature here.   Overall Rating: 5/10   12. Sol Bianca: Taiyou no Fune Sol Bianca: The Legacy 太陽の船　ソルビアンカ [AIC] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Mecha, Space Adventure, Sci-Fi Thousands of years into the future, mankind has colonized other planets across the galaxy and completely forgotten about Earth. On one part of the galaxy, the female space pirates and their colossal starship Sol Bianca get a surprise when a young girl named Mayo stows away on board the ship. The crew then embarks on a journey to Earth to find the whereabouts of Mayo's parents and discover the secrets of the lost planet. It's sad to see how visuals, character designs and personalities have got only worse after a decade, but it's still a passable space adventure action story.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Chivas 1-2-3 Sorcerer on the Rocks シーバス１-２-３ [Daume] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Supernatural, Ecchi  Ruthless sorcerer Chivas Scotch is hired by a count named Cuttlefish to destroy an evil monster attacking a nearby village. But things go awry when Chivas fails to destroy the monster and he's forced to transfer his spirit in the body of his beautiful servant Gin Fizz. OVA itself is nice and is better than sorcerer hunters, even in humor, but too short and focused on exploitation a bit too much.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Tokyo Juushouden Ten Tokyo Warriors 倒凶十将伝 [Zexcs] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Supernatural Long ago, in feudal Japan, there was a fierce warrior named the Demon King. He controlled a band of demons, known as the Kyouma. Only the powers of ten warriors sealed the Demon King away and kept the Kyouma under control. But now, Lord Shindigan, a powerful Kyouma is planning to free the Demon King, and the reincarnations of the ten warriors must band together and save the earth. MAL misinformed about number of episodes. Early episodes are mostly just to introduce this big number of characters, and only by mid-fifth episode team gathers. Boring buildup, boring resolution .   Overall Rating: 5/10   15. Doukyuusei 2 (OVA) Special: Sotsugyousei 同級生２ Special　卒業生 [Pink Pineapple] (Finished 3/3) Tags: Harem, School Ecchi Based on the game by ELF. As a special it tries to provide as much fanservice as possible, so there's very little time for anything else.   Overall Rating: 5/10   16. Break-Age  [Ripple Film] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Mecha Sci-Fi In 2007, the inhabitants of Danger Planet II fight their battles using remote-controlled robots or "virtual puppets." Kirio Nimura is a high school student and the strongest puppeteer on the planet, until he falls for Sairi Takahara, who insists that nobody may make advances until they have beaten her puppet, Benkei. Not translated. Virtual mecha controlled battles is not a good theme to develop. In 40 minutes nothing outstanding was made of it.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Himalaya no Hikari no Oukoku ヒマラヤの光の王国  [Toei Animation] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Music Adventure, Fantasy  In a small village overlooking the scenic Himalayas, a young boy, Suruya, receives a letter from a princess. It was a heartbreaking cry for help. So Suruya who is not the most courageous of boys, sets out to rescue a princess and along the way, through his adventures, he manages to find the courage to carry out his mission. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   18. Cardcaptor Sakura Movie 1 Cardcaptor Sakura The Movie 劇場版 カードキャプターさくら [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Comedy, Drama, Fantasy During an after-school shopping trip, Sakura Kinomoto decides to participate in the Tomoeda Shopping District's year-end lottery, with the grand prize being a round trip to Hong Kong. Surprisingly, she draws the winning ball. Alongside her best friend Tomoyo Daidouji, her older brother Touya, her crush Yukito Tsukishiro, and Keroberos, Sakura heads off to Hong Kong. However, vacation for the Cardcaptor will get cut short. Little does Sakura know, the trip may be connected to her recent, prophetic dreams featuring a mysterious woman and Clow Reed himself, creator of the Clow Cards. Movies usually present refine version of the series, so I was a bit curious. But Cardcaptor series was of already high quality , so movie ended up just an overextended episode with poor tempo.   Overall Rating: 5/10   19. Shoujo Kakumei Utena: Adolescence Mokushiroku Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Adolescence of Utena 少女革命ウテナ　アドゥレセンス黙示録 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Avant Garde, Drama, Fantasy, Girls Love, Romance All eyes are on Utena Tenjou, a mysterious transfer student to Ohtori Academy. But Utena's eyes seem to be fixed on one familiar face that stands out among the rest—Touga Kiryuu, Utena's childhood friend. Touga knows of Utena's past and possesses knowledge of the Mark of the Rose, a set of unique rings worn by those who compete for the hand of the Rose Bride. The Rose Bride, Himemiya Anthy, belongs to whomever wins her in a duel, and the one that wins all the duels is said to be given the power to bring revolution to the world. Utena is drawn into the duels, but Touga and their complicated history together may end up unraveling everything. Nothing is as it seems in this retelling of the original anime series. Movie is just series retelling with changed material only to serve as shortcuts. It fixes important problem of tempo, but concept itself remains intact. Movie introduces a whole new density of symbols, so it's perfect to write some culturology review, but enjoying it as entertainment product... is still questionable.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Tonari no Yamada-kun My Neighbors the Yamadas ホーホケキョ となりの山田くん [Studio Ghibli] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Award Winning, Comedy, Slice of Life From squabbles about groceries against the ambient noise of the TV to their daily shenanigans, the Yamada family invites only a few unusual gazes—similar to any typical household. But despite their prickly exteriors, each of them genuinely cares for one another, making sure to smile and laugh through their otherwise dull and mundane lives. Tonari no Yamada-kun is an intimate and fun look into the lives of a typical Japanese family. It's among the worst works of Studio Ghibli, as for me. Always thought that yonkoma was supposed to be humorous, but apparently not. The only funny moment was pantomime about fighting for remote control.... As usual, the middle is bleak, and there's nostalgy push with a song at the end. Seriously, watching just unfunny episodic SOL for 2 hours is the new low.   Overall Rating: 5/10   21. Megumi no Daigo: Kajiba no Baka Yarou め組の大吾 火事場のバカヤロー  [Sunrise] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Drama  Daigo Asahina is Medaka Gumi #2's/Me Gumi's new rookie firefighter, and already he's done crazy things, like throwing people off of a rooftop to save them from an explosion. He had good intentions, but his deeds are starting to hurt the company's reputation. At Sengoku City's Concert Hall, a fire breaks, and the some Emergency Rescue Squad needs rescuing. Daigo will do all he can to keep his promise: Not to let anyone die on the job. Again, making a high-tension drama about firefighter... is a dubious choice to put into a 40-minute one-shot. Can't even treat it seriously.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  23. kivandopulus
    Enjoyed Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii more than expected. Other works of note are Golden Kamuy and Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Die Neue These - Kaikou .   1. Boku no Hero Academia 3rd Season My Hero Academia Season 3 僕のヒーローアカデミア  [Bones] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen School, Super Power Action As summer arrives for the students at UA Academy, each of these superheroes-in-training puts in their best efforts to become renowned heroes. They head off to a forest training camp run by UA's pro heroes, where the students face one another in battle and go through dangerous tests, improving their abilities and pushing past their limits. However, their school trip is suddenly turned upside down when the League of Villains arrives, invading the camp with a mission to capture one of the students. Boku no Hero Academia 3rd Season follows Izuku "Deku" Midoriya, an ambitious student training to achieve his dream of becoming a hero similar to his role model—All Might. Being one of the students caught up amidst the chaos of the villain attack, Deku must take a stand with his classmates and fight for their survival. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Tokyo Ghoul:re 東京喰種トーキョーグール：re  [Pierrot] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Gore, Psychological Action, Fantasy, Horror Two years have passed since the CCG's raid on Anteiku. Although the atmosphere in Tokyo has changed drastically due to the increased influence of the CCG, ghouls continue to pose a problem as they have begun taking caution, especially the terrorist organization Aogiri Tree, who acknowledge the CCG's growing threat to their existence. The creation of a special team, known as the Quinx Squad, may provide the CCG with the push they need to exterminate Tokyo's unwanted residents. As humans who have undergone surgery in order to make use of the special abilities of ghouls, they participate in operations to eradicate the dangerous creatures. The leader of this group, Haise Sasaki, is a half-ghoul, half-human who has been trained by famed special class investigator, Kishou Arima. However, there's more to this young man than meets the eye, as unknown memories claw at his mind, slowly reminding him of the person he used to be. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku ヲタクに恋は難しい [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Adult Cast, Otaku Culture, Workplace Romance Having slept through all four of her alarms, the energetic Narumi Momose finds herself running late for her first day of work at a new office. As she races to catch her train, she makes a promise to herself that none of her coworkers will find out about her dark secret: that she is an otaku and a fujoshi. Her plan goes instantly awry, though, when she runs into Hirotaka Nifuji, an old friend from middle school. Although she tries to keep her secret by inviting him out for drinks after work, her cover is blown when he casually asks her whether or not she will be attending the upcoming Summer Comiket. Luckily for her, the only witnesses—Hanako Koyanagi and Tarou Kabakura—are otaku as well. Later that night, the pair go out for drinks so that they can catch up after all the years apart. After Narumi complains about her previous boyfriend breaking up with her because he refused to date a fujoshi, Hirotaka suggests that she try dating a fellow otaku, specifically himself. He makes a solemn promise to always be there for her, to support her, and to help her farm for rare drops in Monster Hunter. Blown away by the proposal, Narumi agrees immediately. Thus the two otaku start dating, and their adorably awkward romance begins. Surprisingly enjoyable anime about otaku fit in the society, and on a comparable level to Genshiken.   Overall Rating: 8/10   4. Steins;Gate 0  [White Fox] (Finished 3/23) Tags: Time Travel Drama, Sci-Fi, Suspense The eccentric, self-proclaimed mad scientist Rintarou Okabe has become a shell of his former self. Depressed and traumatized after failing to rescue his friend Makise Kurisu, he has decided to forsake his mad scientist alter ego and live as an ordinary college student. Surrounded by friends who know little of his time travel experiences, Okabe spends his days trying to forget the horrors of his adventures alone. While working as a receptionist at a college technology forum, Okabe meets the short, spunky Maho Hiyajo, who later turns out to be the interpreter at the forum's presentation, conducted by Professor Alexis Leskinen. In front of a stunned crowd, Alexis and Maho unveil Amadeus—a revolutionary AI capable of storing a person's memories and creating a perfect simulation of that person complete with their personality and quirks. Meeting with Maho and Alexis after the presentation, Okabe learns that the two were Kurisu's colleagues in university, and that they have simulated her in Amadeus. Hired by Alexis to research the simulation's behavior, Okabe is given the chance to interact with the shadow of a long-lost dear friend. Dangerously tangled in the past, Okabe must face the harsh reality and carefully maneuver around the disastrous consequences that come with disturbing the natural flow of time. It feels like a typical fandisc - lots of flashbacks and useless interactions with all kinds of characters, very little in the story department. It's painful to watch after original series for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Shokugeki no Souma: San no Sara - Tootsuki Ressha-hen Food Wars! The Third Plate: Totsuki Train Arc 食戟のソーマ 餐ノ皿 遠月列車篇 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen School Gourmet, Ecchi A dark age of cooking befalls Tootsuki Culinary Academy. With the Elite Ten's devastating coup d'état, Azami Nakiri is now the director of the prestigious school. Students must now conform to Azami's ideology of "true gourmet food" and are forbidden to express creativity, or else face expulsion. However, Souma Yukihira and the members of the Polar Star Dormitory refuse to accept these changes. Aided by other rebellious first-years, including the tenth seat, Erina Nakiri, Souma and his allies band together to fight off supporters of Azami's regime. But corrupt instructors and the menacing Central organization stand in their way, and so they must work together, harder than ever before, to survive every underhanded plot designed to banish them from the school. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online ソードアート・オンライン オルタナティブ ガンゲイル・オンライン  [Studio 3Hz] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Military, Video Game Action Clad in desert pink and the size of a mere child, the infamous "Pink Devil" mercilessly hunts down other players in the firearm-centered world of the virtual reality game Gun Gale Online. But in real life, this feared player killer is not quite who anyone would expect. A shy university student in Tokyo, Karen Kohiruimaki stands in stark contrast to her in-game avatar—in fact, she happens to stand above everyone else too, much to her dismay. Towering above all the people around her, Karen's insecurities over her height reach the point where she turns to the virtual world for an escape. Starting game after game in hopes of manifesting as a cute, short character, she finally obtains her ideal self in the world of Gun Gale Online. Overjoyed by her new persona, she pours her time into the game as LLENN, garnering her reputation as the legendary player killer. However, when one of LLENN's targets gets the best of her, she ends up meeting Pitohui, a skilled yet eccentric woman. Quickly becoming friends with Karen, Pitohui insists that LLENN participates in Squad Jam, a battle royale that pits teams against one another, fighting until only one remains. Thrust into the heated competition, LLENN must fight with all her wit and will if she hopes to shoot her way to the top. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Hinamatsuri (TV) Hinamatsuri ヒナまつり [feel.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen Childcare, Organized Crime Comedy, Supernatural While reveling in the successful clinching of a prized vase for his collection, Yoshifumi Nitta, a yakuza member, is rudely interrupted when a large, peculiar capsule suddenly materializes and falls on his head. He opens the capsule to reveal a young, blue-haired girl, who doesn't divulge anything about herself but her name—Hina—and the fact that she possesses immense powers. As if things couldn't get any worse, she loses control and unleashes an explosion if her powers remain unused. Faced with no other choice, Nitta finds himself becoming her caregiver. To let her use her powers freely, Nitta asks Hina to help out with a construction deal, which goes smoothly. But while this is happening, a rival yakuza group covertly attacks his boss. To Nitta's shock, his colleagues later pin the blame on him! Tasked with attacking the rival group in retaliation, Nitta steels himself and arrives at their hideout. But suddenly, Hina unexpectedly steps in and helps him wipe out the entire group. As it turns out, Hina might just become a valuable asset to Nitta and his yakuza business, provided she does not use her powers on him first! And so the strange life of this unusual duo begins. I don't get the fuss over this anime. It has not gone far from Urusei Yatsura. It has no story, no good humor, and it's even inconsistent in whatever it does. Really amateurish.   Overall Rating: 5/10   8. Megalo Box メガロボクス [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Adult Cast, Combat Sports Sci-Fi, Sports "To be quiet and do as you're told, that's the cowardly choice." These are the words of Junk Dog, an underground fighter of Megalo Box, an evolution of boxing that utilizes mechanical limbs known as Gear to enhance the speed and power of its users. Despite the young man's brimming potential as a boxer, the illegal nature of his participation forces him to make a living off of throwing matches as dictated by his boss Gansaku Nanbu. However, this all changes when the Megalo Box champion Yuuri enters his shabby ring under the guise of just another challenger. Taken out in a single round, Junk Dog is left with a challenge: "If you're serious about fighting me again, then fight your way up to me and my ring." Filled with overwhelming excitement and backed by the criminal syndicate responsible for his thrown matches, Junk Dog enters Megalonia: a world-spanning tournament that will decide the strongest Megalo Boxer of them all. Having no name of his own, he takes on the moniker of "Joe" as he begins his climb from the very bottom of the ranked list of fighters. With only three months left to qualify, Joe must face off against opponents the likes of which he has never fought in order to meet the challenge of his rival. Seems to be an altered and modernized remake of Ashita no Joe. Mechanized arms are hardly justified as the power of punches was never insufficient in the series. Megalo Box has become more straightforward and action packed, but also unrealistic and somewhat artificial. But I'm not into boxing to really care.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. High School DxD Hero ハイスクールDxD HERO  [Passione] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, Mythology, School Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi After rescuing his master, Rias Gremory, from the Dimensional Gap, Red Dragon Emperor and aspiring Harem King Issei Hyoudou can finally return to his high school activities alongside fellow members of the Occult Research Club: Yuuto Kiba, Asia Argento, Xenovia Quarta, and Irina Shidou. The group soon embarks on a school trip to Kyoto. While peacefully visiting a temple thanks to Rias' spell, an attacking group of local youkai breaks the calm atmosphere. Once the altercation ends, the club learns that the mythical nine-tailed fox that protected the city was abducted and that someone has framed them for the act. Issei and his friends will now have to fight to protect the city and save their school trip from a planned disaster! In the meantime, Rias, who had to stay in Tokyo with Akeno Himejima and Koneko Toujou, grows increasingly restless to have left the perverted Issei alone with the other girls of the Occult Research Club. Beyond this vague anxiety, what is the exact nature of the feelings Rias has been struggling with for the past few months? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Golden Kamuy ゴールデンカムイ [Geno Studio] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Historical, Military Action, Adventure In early 1900s Hokkaido after the Russo-Japanese war, Saichi Sugimoto tirelessly pans for gold. Nicknamed "Sugimoto the Immortal" for his death-defying acts in battle, the ex-soldier seeks fortune in order to fulfill a promise made to his best friend before he was killed in action: to support his family, especially his widow who needs treatment overseas for her deteriorating eyesight. One day, a drunken companion tells Sugimoto the tale of a man who murdered a group of Ainu and stole a fortune in gold. Before his arrest by the police, he hid the gold somewhere in Hokkaido. The only clue to its location is the coded map he tattooed on the bodies of his cellmates in exchange for a share of the treasure, should they manage to escape and find it. Sugimoto does not think much of the tale until he discovers the drunken man's corpse bearing the same tattoos described in the story. But before he can collect his thoughts, a grizzly bear—the cause of the man's demise—approaches Sugimoto, intent on finishing her meal. He is saved by a young Ainu girl named Asirpa, whose father happened to be one of the murdered Ainu. With Asirpa's hunting skills and Sugimoto's survival instincts, the pair agree to join forces and find the hidden treasure—one to get back what was rightfully her people's, and the other to fulfill his friend's dying wish. First season was great and promising. But plot advanced very little in the following seasons and there's still no ending to be seen, so can't rate it too high till it's over.   Overall Rating: 7/10   11. 3D Kanojo: Real Girl Real Girl ３Ｄ彼女　リアルガール [Hoods Entertainment] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shoujo Otaku Culture, School Romance For Hikari Tsutsui, life within the two-dimensional realm is much simpler. Socially inept and awkward, he immerses himself in video games and anime, only to be relentlessly ridiculed and ostracized by his classmates. Sharing his misery is Yuuto Itou, his only friend, who wears cat ears and is equally obsessed with the world of games. After being forced to clean the pool as punishment for arriving late, Tsutsui meets Iroha Igarashi, but he attempts to steer clear of her, as her notoriety precedes her. Brazenly blunt, loathed by female classmates, and infamous for messing around with boys, Tsutsui believes that getting involved with her would cause nothing but problems. 3D Kanojo: Real Girl is a story revolving around these two outcasts—a boy full of emotions he has never experienced before, struggling to lay them bare, and a girl who strives to break him out of his shell. Another nice romance. Both MC attending school makes it a bit unserious, and everything about love triangle looks seriously artificial. Episode four was when I lost any remaining hope of it being a minor masterpiece now as story went seriously astray and watching it became more of a chore than enjoyment. But I also remember finishing this first season before, so it should be fine to watch, especially if there's nothing better to compare to.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Tada-kun wa Koi wo Shinai Tada Never Falls in Love 多田くんは恋をしない [Doga Kobo] (Finished 3/13) Tags: School, Visual Arts Comedy, Romance Love has never really been a concern for Mitsuyoshi Tada, and as the aspiring photographer enters his second year of high school, it truthfully couldn't be further from his mind. However, things just might change after he meets a bright and bubbly foreigner named Teresa Wagner while he was taking pictures of a cherry blossom tree. Nevertheless, after she asks him to photograph her, the two soon separate... only to meet each other again twice more that same day! Finding Teresa just as she is caught in a sudden downpour, Tada invites her to his family's coffee shop to dry off. There, she explains that she was separated from her traveling companion, a no-nonsense redhead named Alexandra ''Alec'' Magritte. When Alec reunites with Teresa shortly after, they say their goodbyes, expecting to part ways for good—but the two unexpectedly show up as transfer students in his class the next day. Teresa and Alec quickly get used to their lives at Koinohoshi High School and decide to join Tada in the photography club, along with his narcissistic friend Kaoru Ijuuin, the idol-obsessed Hajime Sugimoto, serious class rep Hinako Hasegawa, and the dog-like Kentarou Yamashita. With these two peculiar additions to his equally eccentric group of friends, Tada's second year of high school is about to get even livelier, and he might need to start rethinking his approach to love. It's romance comedy ... that lacks in both these departments. What remains is just photo club and café routine which is still ok, but it's totally different genre.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Devils Line Devils' Line デビルズライン [Platinum Vision] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Vampire Action, Drama, Romance, Supernatural Vampires walk among society, existing as part of its underbelly. They do not require blood to survive, but extreme emotions can immensely increase their bloodlust, turning them into uncontrollable monsters. Tsukasa Taira, a 22-year-old university student, learns of the existence of vampires when her longtime friend reveals himself to be one of them after a tense confrontation with Yuuki Anzai—a human and vampire hybrid. Her friend is arrested, and Tsukasa soon finds herself drawn to Anzai, who reluctantly reciprocates her feelings. However, this unconventional romance may prove too difficult to maintain, as Anzai struggles to contain the part of him that wishes to devour Tsukasa. It basically cries of wanting to be Tokyo Ghoul, but ends up being worse.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Persona 5 the Animation TVアニメ「ペルソナ５」 [CloverWorks] (Finished 1/26) Tags: School, Super Power Action, Supernatural Ren Amamiya, a new transfer student at Shujin Academy, is sent to Tokyo to live with his family friend Sojiro Sakura after wrongly being put on probation for defending a woman from sexual assault. While on the way to attend his first day at his new school, Ren notices a strange app has appeared on his phone, transferring him to a world known as the Metaverse, which contains people's "shadows": distorted depictions of their true selves. In the Metaverse, he awakens his Persona, a power from deep within that gives him the strength to fight the shadows. With the help of similarly troubled students, he forms the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, attempting to save people from their sinful desires by "taking their heart," making evildoers regret their actions and turn over a new leaf. The group's reputation continues to grow explosively, bringing along fame both positive and negative. However, during the peak of their popularity, Ren gets captured and taken into custody. Here, he wakes up to a harsh interrogation, but this is cut short by the arrival of Sae Niijima—a prosecutor seeking answers. Just how will she react to his story, and what will become of the Phantom Thieves? Have not played played or liked any Persona games, and only watched playthrough of Persona 4 for common knowledge. Only finishing anime about the 5th for the same reason. And story is even worse than 4th. Same gathering of party one by one by dealing with their heart sicknesses, but protagonist seems to be younger. All that phantom thief theme instead of TV wonderland is hardly better. Characters are same one-dimensional and predictable. It feels less childish only because deliberate fanservice introduction. Gameplay and character progression must be absolutely astonishing to come to terms with all this mess. Can't call it even decent.   Overall Rating: 5/10   15. Mahou Shoujo Site Magical Girl Site 魔法少女サイト [production doA] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Gore, Mahou Shoujo, Psychological Action, Drama, Horror, Supernatural  Every day, Aya Asagiri thinks about killing herself. She is bullied relentlessly at school, and at home, her older brother Kaname physically abuses her to relieve the academic stress put on him by their father. One night, as she lies awake wishing for death, a mysterious website called Magical Girl Site appears on her laptop, promising to give her magical powers. At first, she dismisses it as a creepy prank, but when she finds a magical gun in her shoe locker the next day, she doesn't know what to believe. Deciding to take it with her, she soon runs into her bullies once again. But this time, desperate for anything to save her, she uses the gun—and her assailants are transported to a nearby railroad crossing, where they are run over. Aya's conscience is unable to handle the fact that she murdered two of her classmates with magic, and she desperately tries to understand the situation. However, when she finds herself in trouble again, she is saved by Tsuyuno Yatsumura, a classmate who can use magic to stop time. This duo has a lot to do: not only do they have to fight alongside and against other magical girls, but they also need to uncover the truth behind the website and the apocalyptic event known as "The Tempest" that is soon to occur. All these Dark majou shoujo compete about who makes the most miserable and violent setting. There's definitely no shortage of maniacs in this anime, and it may even find its niche, but I don't enjoy all this misery and crying with tilt into horror and despair.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi かくりよの宿飯 [Gonzo] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Josei Adult Cast, Isekai, Mythology Drama, Fantasy, Gourmet, Romance Abandoned as a child by her mother, Aoi Tsubaki has always had the ability to see "ayakashi"—spirits from the Hidden Realm. Shirou Tsubaki, her grandfather who shared the same ability, took her under his wing and taught her how to live with the ayakashi in peace. When her grandfather abruptly passes away, the independent Aoi must continue her college career, armed with only her knowledge in cooking as a means of protection against the human-eating spirits. In hopes that the ayakashi will not turn to her or other unknowing humans as a tasty meal, she takes it upon herself to feed the hungry creatures that cross her path. After giving a mysterious ayakashi her lunch, Aoi is transported to the Hidden Realm, where the ayakashi reveals himself to be an ogre-god known as Oodanna, the "Master Innkeeper." There, she learns that she was used as collateral for her grandfather's debt of one hundred million yen, and that she must pay the price for her grandfather's careless decision by marrying Oodanna. Aoi valiantly refuses and decides to settle things on her own terms: she will pay off the debt herself by opening an eatery at Oodanna's inn. Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi follows the journey of Aoi as she proceeds to change and touch the lives of the ayakashi through the one weapon she has against them—her delicious cooking. The best way to block otome I found is by blocking reverse harem genre, but it does not cover all. Otome with gourmet theme is nothing that I care about.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Comic Girls こみっくがーるず [Nexus] (Finished 2/12) Tags: CGDCT, Otaku Culture Slice of Life Kaoruko "Chaos" Moeta is a young manga artist who is down on her luck. She wants to draw manga about high school girls, but her storyboards are bland, her art uninspired, and her premises weak. Her concerned, exasperated editor comes up with an idea: push Chaos to be more social. So, by her recommendation, Chaos moves into a dormitory for female manga artists. She soon meets the other residents: Tsubasa Katsuki, a shounen manga artist; Ruki Irokawa, who draws erotic manga popular with women; and Koyume Koizuka, a shoujo artist who, like Chaos, has yet to be serialized. Quickly striking up a friendship with these girls, Chaos finds new inspiration for her manga and continues to grow her creativity. Comic Girls is a showcase of the daily lives of these manga artists. Will Chaos finally be able to make her debut and become serialized? None of the girls know, but they will all do their best to help each other become the best artists they can be. I require seriousness in otaku works or godly cuteness comparable to K-On in SOL CGDCT. Sadly, found no such thing in here. And since there's no definitive comedy, hardly anything to enjoy here. Heroine who shows most of emotions by crying only irritates.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Uma Musume: Pretty Derby ウマ娘 プリティーダービー [P.A. Works] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Anthropomorphic Sports Famous racehorses that have left behind worthy legacies, unique as they can be, are reincarnated as horse girls in a parallel world. In this life, they start their journey anew as they continue to race and perhaps relive the success they once lived through. Aspiring to become the best racehorse in Japan, a horse girl named Special Week moves to Tokyo to enroll in the Tracen Academy—an institution that nurtures horse girls like her to become better racers. There, Special Week witnesses the sophisticated running style of Silence Suzuka and is inspired to become a racer like her. Shortly after, Special Week finds herself recruited into Silence Suzuka's team, Spica. From there, she begins her path to the top—one lap at a time. If centaur's life was a spokon, it would be something like this. And I don't like both.   Overall Rating: 5/10   19. Piano no Mori (TV) ピアノの森 [Gaina] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Music, School Drama A tranquil tale about two boys from very different upbringings. On one hand you have Kai, born as the son of a prostitute, who's been playing the abandoned piano in the forest near his home ever since he was young. And on the other you have Syuhei, practically breast-fed by the piano as the son of a family of prestigious pianists. Yet it is their common bond with the piano that eventually intertwines their paths in life. I prefer shorter formats for such stories. Was a great movie, but just don't want to watch the same story again. And very little seems to have changed.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory フルメタル・パニック！ [Xebec] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Mecha, Military Action  The boisterous student Kaname Chidori and soldier Sousuke Sagara are enjoying a blissful high school life. However, their peaceful days are disrupted by the threatening terrorist organization Amalgam. Leonard Testarossa, a member of the organization who possesses "Whispered," seeks to procure Kaname and her knowledge. Kaname and Sousuke's battle against Amalgam starts right in their own neighborhood, which eventually takes them on a hunt around the world. From the exotic lands of Laos to the barren Mexican coast, Sousuke must gather intelligence to bring down Amalgam. Meanwhile, Kaname's abilities grow, but so does her frustration as her resolve withers. Caught up in an intense game of hide and seek, as well as strategic plots, the pair try to connect and push beyond their own limits. It's the franchise that even KyoAni could not save. And Xebec is my least favorite anime studio, no wonder there's no sequel afterwards.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Die Neue These - Kaikou Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These 銀河英雄伝説 Die Neue These 邂逅 [Production I.G] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Adult Cast, Military, Space Drama, Sci-Fi  For over a century and a half, two interstellar states have wrested for control of the Milky Way. The Galactic Empire, an absolute monarchy ruled by Kaiser Friedrich IV and an entrenched nobility, seeks to suppress the rebels daring to oppose the inviolable crown. The Free Planets Alliance, a representative democracy led by a corrupt High Council, degenerates as its elected leaders⁠ use war and conflict as a way to win popular support. But this long-standing stalemate between the Empire and the Alliance ends with the rise of two opposing military geniuses. Reinhard von Lohengramm, a minor noble and High Admiral of the Empire through his strategic brilliance and his sister's position as the favored concubine of the Kaiser, dreams of conquering the galaxy and uniting mankind under his iron fist. Meanwhile, Yang Wen-li of the Alliance, an avid historian and reluctant commodore hailed as the Hero of El Facil, uses his tactical prowess to navigate around his leaders' incompetence—and to carve the path to lasting peace. As the war rages on, Reinhard and Yang each strive for their ideals and to secure their place among the stars as the leaders of a new era of galactic heroes. I should give it a minor masterpiece just because of the fact it catches the most interesting arc much better than original, and afterwards original stagnated, in my opinion. Good starting point.   Overall Rating: 7/10   22. Mahou Shoujo Ore 魔法少女 俺 [Pierrot Plus] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Magical Sex Shift, Mahou Shoujo Comedy, Fantasy Saki Uno is an average 15-year-old girl with a side hustle as a member of the exceptionally unpopular idol duo Magical Twins. Despite this, she absolutely loves the time she spends with her best friend Sakuyo Mikage as she strives to become closer with her childhood crush, Sakuyo's brother Mohiro. Her peaceful life, however, unravels when she finds a yakuza-looking thug trying to enter her house. Forced to invite him inside, Saki learns that her mother used to be a demon fighting Magical Girl, and that her brutish guest is actually a mascot named Kokoro-chan looking to recruit a replacement. Dumbfounded and skeptical, Saki is hesitant accept the request until Kokoro-chan reveals that Mohiro is a target of some cute, squirrel-tailed demons. Rushing to his side, Saki's overwhelming desire to save Mohiro activates her Love Power, and a daring confession awakens her as a Magical Girl. However, because her body is not suitable for combat, Saki's transformation turns her into a muscle-bound man clad in a pretty dress. Now, as a fully-fledged Magical Girl, Saki must team up with Sakuyo to protect the love of her life from the fluffy, demonic menaces that run rampant in her world. Again, this totally looks like reverse harem to me, and I don't even want to finish first episode to the end.   Overall Rating: 5/10   23. Hisone to Maso-tan Dragon Pilot: Hisone and Masotan ひそねとまそたん [Bones] (Finished 6/12) Tags: Military Award Winning, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy Seeking to find purpose in her life, Hisone Amakasu enlists in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and is stationed at Gifu Airbase. During a visit to a part of the base she did not know existed, she stumbles upon the JASDF's largest secret: the Organic Transformed Flyer (OTF), a dragon that has the ability to camouflage itself as an aircraft. After being swallowed up and spit out by the OTF, her commanding officers inform her that this encounter means that she has been chosen to be the next in a long line of Dragon Pilots. Together with her fellow pilot cadets and "Maso-tan," her own OTF, Hisone must overcome her insecurities in order to discover her true potential as a Dragon Pilot and unravel the secrets behind the OTFs. Netflix original. It tries to be original and unusual anime about riding mecha.... I mean dragon. But it becomes just a small story about friendship, rivalry and sexual harassment of lolies. In the process it stops being anime and turns into Western cartoon. At the same time it becomes genuinely... uninteresting. There should be some interesting story in the center, but here it's concept in the center, some interactions on top of it, and that's it. It does not give anything... even emotions.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Caligula (TV) Caligula カリギュラ [Satelight ] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Action, Sci-Fi  What is happiness? Ever the fan of psychology, questions such as this are ones that high school student Ritsu Shikishima likes to ponder as he spends his peaceful days with his friends. His perfect world, however, begins to unravel when he hears a strange voice obscured by static, pleading for help. This voice belongs to μ, a beloved pop idol, whose singing begins to have an adverse effect on the world. Before Ritsu's very eyes, the faces of his friends and family become distorted by glitches as the sound of μ's voice transforms them into Digiheads: berserk monsters bent on the extermination of all those who begin to awaken to the true nature of their existence. Realizing that he is trapped in a virtual world created by μ called Mobius, Ritsu must now gather everyone else who has managed to realize the truth before they are all eliminated. Together, they will use their newfound powers and weapons granted by their emotions—known as the Catharsis Effect—to fight off the mysterious group known as The Ostinato Musicians as they struggle to escape. Dropped this anime before without knowing it was based on a game. Some time later dropped the game. And now finishing anime just to know the story. And it's just variation of Persona, so depends on whether you liked that.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Captain Tsubasa (2018) キャプテン翼 [David Production] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Shounen Team Sports Captain Tsubasa is the passionate story of an elementary school student whose thoughts and dreams revolve almost entirely around the love of soccer. 11-year-old Tsubasa Oozora started playing football at a very young age, and while it was mostly just a recreational sport for his friends, for him, it developed into something of an obsession. In order to pursue his dream to the best of his elementary school abilities, Tsubasa moves with his mother to Nankatsu city, which is well-known for its excellent elementary school soccer teams. But although he was easily the best in his old town, Nankatsu has a lot more competition, and he will need all of his skill and talent in order to stand out from this new crowd. He encounters not only rivals, but also new friends like the pretty girl Sanae Nakazawa and the talented goalkeeper, Genzo Wakabayashi, who shares the same passion as Tsubasa, and will prove to be a treasured friend in helping him push towards his dreams. Representing Japan in the FIFA World Cup is Tsubasa’s ultimate dream, but it will take a lot more than talent to reach it. Remake.   Overall Rating: 5/10   26. Dorei-ku The Animation 奴隷区 The Animation [TNK, Zero-G] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Adult Cast, High Stakes Game, Psychological Drama, Suspense Eager to know why her best friend’s boyfriend dumped her for a man, the headstrong Eiya Arakawa suggests a meeting with them. Gathered together at a café, Yuuga Oota agrees to answer Eiya’s questions only if she can correctly ascertain the relationship of a couple sitting across from them, which she does on her first attempt. Amazed by her astounding intellect and intuition, he invites her to a private meeting where he introduces her to the concept of Slave Control Method, or SCM, a retainer-like device that has the ability to turn people into slaves. When two SCM users enter a duel, the devices exert a powerful influence on their brains. Once the duel is over, the SCM amplifies the loser’s sense of obligation and forces them to bend to the will of the winner. Wanting desperately to test his own abilities, Yuuga asks Eiya to act as his insurance in the event that he himself becomes a slave. Granted access to 10 million yen, Eiya’s job is to convince Yuuga’s would-be master to free him from his servitude. Though hesitant at first, Yuuga’s words resonate with her personal yearning for something more from her life, and she agrees to his request. However, when a mysterious organization begins rapidly accruing slaves, Eiya becomes entangled in a game far more dangerous than she ever could have imagined. Another Kaiji imitation with slavery focus on loss and pseudo mind games. Genre enthusiasts will appreciate, but nothing has beaten Kaiji yet when it comes to gambling.   Overall Rating: 6/10   27. Saredo Tsumibito wa Ryuu to Odoru Dances with the Dragons されど罪人は竜と踊る [Seven Arcs Pictures] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi  It is a world replete with dragons and Jushiki sorcerers. Jushiki is a devastatingly powerful formula that can alter the laws of physics, capable of creating enormous TNT explosives or poisonous gas through plasma and nuclear fusion. A down-on-his-luck sorcerer named Gayus joins forces with the beautiful but cruel Jushiki practitioner, Gigina, as bounty hunters pursuing dragons. Then one day, they are presented with an odd request: to serve as security guards for a grand festival put on by Mouldeen, the ruler of their kingdom. It is then that a mysterious serial killing of Jushiki sorcerers begins. Dumped it before for being super bland and dull. Something happens and keeps going on in artificial way, but nothing is done for viewers to actually to care. With failed worldbuilding, characters and story no interest is left.   Overall Rating: 5/10   28. Gegege no Kitarou (2018) GeGeGe no Kitaro ゲゲゲの鬼太郎 (2018) [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/97) Tags: Shounen Mythology Comedy, Horror, Supernatural Nearly twenty years into the 21st century, people have forgotten the existence of youkai. When a number of unexplainable phenomena plague adults of the human world with confusion and chaos, thirteen-year-old Mana writes a letter to the Youkai Post in search of answers, only to be greeted by Gegege no Kitarou... Remake.   Overall Rating: 5/10   29. Lost Song   [LIDENFILMS] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Drama, Fantasy  Lost Song tells the stories of the cheerful Rin and the reserved Finis, two songstresses who are capable of performing magical songs. Rin grew up in a remote village with her family and was taught to keep her power secret, while Finis lives and performs in the royal palace. Rin's happy and peaceful life is shattered after she saves an injured knight named Henry Leobort with her song of healing. She was seen by soldiers who proceeded to attack her village in hopes of capturing her. With nowhere else to go, she and her inventor brother Al begin a journey to the capital.  inis finds herself falling in love with Henry and, knowing that the greedy and spiteful Prince Lood ernstein IV desires her, must hide their relationship. She wants to help people with her songs, but with war on the horizon, she worries that Lood will order her to cast her magic in the battlefield. Only time will tell how her destiny and Rin's will intersect, as the two of them struggle to find their paths. Naïve fairytale-like shoujo about singing, so every minute of it feels nauseating to me.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Lupin III: Part 5 Lupin the Third Part 5 ルパン三世 PART5 [Telecom Animation Film] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast Action, Adventure, Comedy, Mystery Genius thief Arsene Lupin III—along with the usual crew of Goemon Ishikawa XIII, Fujiko Mine, and Daisuke Jigen—finds himself in modern-day France, where he encounters both new and old adversaries, with Inspector Kouichi Zenigata still hot on his trail. As they steal from darker, more ss nister entities, they will also have to find a way to deal with the newest technology in their escapades, uas well as face the ghosts of their pasts. However, this time, Lupin's choices begin to catch up with him as his pursuers use every tool at their disposal to take him down once and for all. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   31. Juushinki Pandora Last Hope 重神機パンドーラ [Satelight] (Finished 7/26) Tags: Mecha Sci-Fi The series is set in a near-future world where the boundary between human being and AI is vague. A rapid biological evolution, similar to "Cambrian Explosion," is caused by one incident. This incident turns into the genesis of a new jostle for supremacy, and the influence of the evolution goes beyond biological framework and spreads to various kinds of materials and technologies. The era of massive evolution involving diverse existences, such as human, machines, and biotechnologies, is coming. Characters fight an existential war in such a world. Can't say action mecha is impressive here, but it switches for very bland SOL which lasts forever due to 26 episode format. It sure does not captivate or intrigue. Overall Rating: 6/10   32. Last Period: Owarinaki Rasen no Monogatari Last Period: The Journey to the End of the Despair ラストピリオド -終わりなき螺旋の物語- [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy  "Period" is how magic users called who beat "Spiral"—monsters that were summoned from isolation. Due to the rise of these beings, 14-year-old apprentice Period Haru, who is a part of the Eighth Arc-end Division, is called to break the cycle and cast himself into the endless battle. However, a mysterious thievery occurred and sank the division into bankruptcy, forcing Haru and his other comrades have to leave their headquarters. To rebuild a branch, they have to overcome quest after quest. It's unserious and mostly about fooling around. The parody part is ok, but comedy is typical unfunny silly type.   Overall Rating: 6/10   33. Rokuhou-dou Yotsuiro Biyori Yotsuiro Biyori 鹿楓堂よついろ日和 [Zexcs] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Iyashikei, Workplace Gourmet, Slice of Life Kyousui "Sui" Tougoku inherits a traditional Japanese-style cafe called Rokuhoudou from his grandfather, which he manages alongside Gregorio "Gure" Valentino, Tokitaka Nagae, and Tsubaki Nakao. Their hospitality par excellence undoubtedly turns any one-time visitor into a regular. Having gone through their own share of trials and tribulations, the staff at this modest cafe do their best to serve their customers—whether it be through tea, sweets, or even helping with the various troubles one may have. Although most days pass pleasantly, the small world of Sui and his friends takes an unexpected path when their reputation as a cafe flourishes overnight. Reverse harem not marked properly.   Overall Rating: 5/10   34. Amanchu! Advance あまんちゅ！～あどばんす～ [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Iyashikei, School Slice of Life Second season of Amanchu!. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   35. Lostorage Conflated WIXOSS  [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/12) Tags: High Stakes Game, Psychological, Strategy Game Suspense Tensions from the Selector battles have seemingly vanished, and the remaining participants have quickly put the entire ordeal behind them. However, Kiyoi Mizushima feels that the conflict has yet to end. Despite Kou Satomi's defeat, his supporters are already attempting to revive his plans in the background. It does not take long for Mizushima's suspicions to be confirmed true. Not only does the Selector battle system reemerge, but also a new mechanic has been implemented. Players receive a special key card that will unlock with gold coins, releasing a hidden power. Aware of the formidable foes that lie ahead, Mizushima begins to seek out skilled allies in her endeavor to finally break the cycle of darkness. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   36. Gundam Build Divers ガンダムビルドダイバーズ [Sunrise] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Mecha Action, Sci-Fi  Gunpla Battle Nexus Online (GBN) is a new network game that lets people enjoy a variety of missions using Gunpla in a virtual cyberspace dimension. Middle-school students Riku Mikami and Yukio Hidaka recruit their classmate Momoka Yashiro and dive together into this vast world. Becoming "Divers," or inhabitants of GBN, they meet a mysterious girl named Sarah who has an amazing sensitivity to Gunpla. They begin playing alongside her, but... There are many other famous Divers, starting with Kyoya Kujo, the champion whom Riku admires. Multiple Divers can join to form a team called a "force." Meanwhile, the game is disrupted by Mass-Divers who use unofficial tools called break decals. Through many encounters and experiences, Riku and his friends will build not only Gunpla, but their own adventures as well! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   37. Hoozuki no Reitetsu 2nd Season: Sono Ni Hozuki's Coolheadedness 2: Part 2 鬼灯の冷徹 第弐期その弐 [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Mythology Comedy, Fantasy The second cour of Hoozuki no Reitetsu season 2. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   38. Uchuu Senkan Tiramisù Space Battleship Tiramisu 宇宙戦艦ティラミス [Gonzo] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Mecha, Space Comedy, Sci-Fi Subaru Ichinose loves his cockpit as, to him, it's like being in his mother's womb. Whenever he struggles to converse with his fellow pilots, his cockpit is the one place he can be alone. As the ace pilot aboard the Tiramisu, Earth Union's most important battleship, it is his job to defend Mother Earth from the threats that emerge from humanity's extended dominion spreading throughout the vast reaches of the universe. Armed with his personal mecha Durandal, Subaru must fend off encroaching foreign colonies as he struggles to protect his personal sanctuary from rogue fried pork skewers, suffocating backwards shirts, and unsolicited redecorations. In the year Space Age 0156, the fate of humanity rests entirely in his hands. Has super weird boys love humor and vibes.   Overall Rating: 5/10   39. Butlers: Chitose Momotose Monogatari Butlers~千年百年物語~ [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School, Time Travel Drama, Supernatural Butlers: They are guardians that hold a thousand-year history and a certain fate. Jay lived in peace with his little sister Tenna and a fellow Butler named Hayakawa. However, those peaceful days came to a sudden end. Tenna was swallowed up into the void and Jay was sent a hundred years into the future. Jay finds there is now an academy called Koyomi Academy standing in the place where his mansion once stood. Jay took up the name Jinguji Koma and became the student council president of the school as he looks for clues about the past. Jay will eventually find out the truth behind this world. First episode had enough boys love references, so a skip.   Overall Rating: 5/10   40. Cutie Honey Universe  [Production Reed] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Action, Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi, Ecchi  The forces of evil are on the rise. When the evil mastermind Sister Jill transforms one of her girls into the bestial Breast Claw and sends her minions out on a mission involving the group Panther Claw and a jewelry store heist, Honey Kisaragi departs from her Catholic girls' school to confront the threat as Cutie Honey. But that's exactly what Sister Jill wants, as she desires Honey's Airborne Element Fixing Device, which allows her to transform into Honey's seven different forms. Meanwhile, Sister Jill is also on the scene in disguise as Inspector Genet, trying to worm her way into Honey's confidence from a different angle. Remake.   Overall Rating: 5/10   41. Aikatsu Friends! アイカツフレンズ！ [Bandai Namco Pictures] (Finished 1/50) Tags: Idols (Female), Music, School Slice of Life Nori Kamitsuki has recently moved to the Gunma prefecture from Chiba, following after Otoya Todoroki, a former friend who moved there in elementary school. While on the way there, he receives an ominous text message from Todoroki telling him to turn back and that once someone enters Gunma, they never return. Ignoring the message, As Kamitsuki goes about his school life and makes new friends. These people make it their mission to prove any negative stereotypes surrounding Gunma wrong and show Kamitsuki all the ways Gunma is different from the rest of Japan—from its local foods and landmarks, the changes to its daily school life, and even the attitude of the people who live there. Gunma is widely regarded as the least popular prefecture in Japan, but they clearly don't know Gunma yet! Remake/Series sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   42. Souten no Ken: Regenesis Fist of the Blue Sky: Regenesis 蒼天の拳 REGENESIS [Polygon Pictures] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Historical, Martial Arts Action Long before Kenshiro said, "You're already dead," a different Kenshiro walked the violent streets of hanghai. The city is in constant crisis as two mafia families battle one another for supremacy. In the crossfire, a little girl named Erika is orphaned and soon taken under the wing of martial artist Liu Fei-Yan. Sorrow seems to follow the girl, as every time Fei-Yan attempts to hand her off, her new guardians end up dead. Fei-Yan decides to bring the girl to a man named Guise but instead crosses paths with powerful Kenshiro Kasumi. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   43. Wakaokami wa Shougakusei! Okko's Inn 若おかみは小学生！ [Madhouse, DLE] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Comedy, Slice of Life, Supernatural  12-year-old Oriko Seki, who lost her parents in a car accident, ended up living in her grandmother's Onsen Ryokan "Haru no Ya." With the ghost "Uribou" cohabitating with her and all the other odds, she ended up training to be a young female innkeeper. At first, she didn't like the training, but gradually felt her admiration for her title and began to train seriously. Thus, the growth of the young warrior Oriko begins. Basically, degraded in everything alternative to Hana Saku Iroha, and with weird tilt into ghosts.   Overall Rating: 5/10   44. Kiratto Pri☆chan キラッとプリ☆チャン [Tatsunoko Production, Dongwoo A&E] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Slice of Life First-year middle school girls Mirai Momoyama and Emo Moegi are two aspiring idols who decide to use the "Pri☆Chan System," a system used by famous people and companies to broadcast content. Like many girls starting their own channels and uploading content, the pair decide to become their own producers, starting their own channel in an attempt to become Pri☆Chan idols. All the light idol mahou shoujo that last for the whole year and contain obligatory advertisement of something girly look similar to me. I just don't care enough.  Overall Rating: 6/10   45. Baki バキ [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 2/26) Tags: Shounen Combat Sports, Gore After emerging victorious from a brutal underground tournament, Baki Hanma continues on his path to defeat his father, Yuujirou, the strongest man in the world. However, he gets no time to rest when the tournament runner, Tokugawa Mitsunari, visits him at school. He reveals to Baki that five incredibly dangerous death row inmates from around the world—all skilled in martial arts—have simultaneously escaped confinement and are heading to Tokyo, each wishing to finally know the taste of defeat. Tokugawa warns that, due to his well-known strength, Baki is bound to encounter them sooner or later, and he will not be their only target. Adapting the first saga of the second manga series, Baki centers on the all-out war between the esteemed martial artists of Japan and those of the dark underground world. Mostly for Hokuto no Ken fans.   Overall Rating: 5/10   46. Aggressive Retsuko (ONA) Aggretsuko (ONA) アグレッシブ烈子 [Fanworks] (Finished 10/10) Tags: Anthropomorphic, Workplace Comedy  Some offices have stereotypical dynamics: the chauvinistic pig of a boss who never does any real work; the employees whose goal is to suck up to the boss; the ones whose lives seem perfect; and the individuals who have all the actual work pushed onto them. Retsuko the red panda is in the last group, as she stays late most nights to make up the work her coworkers are too lazy to do themselves. Her relief from the stress of her everyday life comes in the form of singing death metal at a local karaoke club. Night after night, Retsuko channels her grief into a microphone and considers the place to be her own personal sanctuary. But as she moves further away from her comfort zone and the ideas people have of her, she discovers that letting others into her world of death metal may not be such a bad thing. This show from Netflix feels like some Adult Swim series. I'm not a big fan of those. Still, a decent one and with some realistic workplace problems.   Overall Rating: 6/10   47. Cike Wu Liuqi Scissor Seven 刺客伍六七 [Sharefun Studio, AHA Entertainment] (Finished 10/10) Tags: Martial Arts, Super Power Action, Comedy, Drama, Mystery, Romance To the casual eye, the amnesiac bounty hunter Wu Liuqi looks quite intimidating. With his deadly telekinetic scissor techniques and his ability to seamlessly transform into anything, one would not expect his modest demeanor. In fact, Wu is quite terrible at his job. Often times the freelancer can be found botching an assassination or targeting the wrong person. While his failures could be due to his subpar skills, it usually boils down to him being a normal kid, with a heart unsuited for his line of work. Accompanied by his feathered friend Dai Bo, Wu is on a simple quest to regain his memories. Although his inconspicuous day job as a hairdresser and his after-hours occupation are simply a means for him to repay debt, his various ventures seem to intertwine with his pursuit to recover his lost past. Another Netflix show. And this one has lots of absurd and nonsense, so liked it even less.   Overall Rating: 5/10   48. Shiyan Pin Jiating Frankenstein Family 实验品家庭 -クリーチャーズ・ファミリー・デイズ- [Big Firebird Culture] (Finished 5/12) Tags: Sci-Fi, Slice of Life Tanis, a child genius, is the youngest son of two mad scientists. His family has spent their lives withdrawn from normal society living on an isolated island, where the couple conducts experiments on Tanis' siblings that result in them gaining abnormal abilities. However, this activity is put to a stop when they are caught and arrested. Tanis is brought by government officials to a more populated island, alongside his four siblings: Snow, a dog-human hybrid; Ashise, a plant-human hybrid; Aisley, a spider-human hybrid; and Suishi, a mind-reader. Being the only one who has not been genetically modified, Tanis takes on the responsibility of adapting his siblings to society, all while trying to conceal their' distinctive characteristics. Weird and bland SOL with monster girls. Live action that takes a quarter of the episode is plain horrible.   Overall Rating: 5/10   49. Isekai Izakaya: Koto Aitheria no Izakaya Nobu Isekai Izakaya: Japanese Food From Another World 異世界居酒屋～古都アイテーリアの居酒屋のぶ～ [Sunrise] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Adult Cast, Isekai, Workplace Fantasy, Gourmet Experienced head chef Nobuyuki Yazawa and friendly waitress Shinobu Senke run a traditional Japanese izakaya called Nobu—a bar known for serving a tasty array of food and drink. Welcoming any and all customers, the pair strive to showcase Nobu's exclusive menu and provide the best possible experience. However, despite its ordinary appearance, the establishment opens to the heart of Aitheria, a city from a parallel universe. As news of the restaurant's exquisite dishes spreads throughout the lands, Aitherian citizens from various social backgrounds travel to Nobu in search of new and delicious cuisine, bringing with them an empty stomach and riveting stories to tell. I find it absolutely as expected - tasteless cliche about food impressions. Overall Rating: 5/10   50. Tu Bian Ying Xiong Leaf To Be Heroine 凸变英雄 LEAF [LAN Studio] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Super Power Comedy Following the first season's gag action theme, the second season titled To Be Heroine features an original story and a new set of characters. You is about to leave home when she suddenly enters an incredible world. Appearing in front of her is an eight-year-old naked boy, and before she could even grasp the situation, she's attacked by assassins from a mafia group who were chasing the young boy. What was even more unrealistic for You was hat wthe leader of this mafia was another assassin's attack. Who are those naked kids, why did her shoe turn into a warrior and above all, what kind of world did eight-year-old boy come from? Just like the first one, he's also almost naked! While trying to escape from the attackers, You loses one of her shoes and by a strange kind of magic, her shoe turned into a warrior who was able to save her by blocking the You enter? Should have stopped after first episode. Unbelievably irritating random nonsense that makes my head ache.   Overall Rating: 5/10   51. Wo de Ni Tian Shen Qi My Holy Weapon 我的逆天神器 [Haoliners Animation League, Pb dimation Co. Ltd.] (Finished 16/16)i Tags: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural One day, while being attacked, Chang Tian unintentionally invokes an artifact called Xiao Bai that protects him from a terrible fate. After this, he finds himself on a battlefield, where he will fight alongside several other people like him, able to invoke artifacts... Mediocre Chinese battle royale that has surprisingly little action which is mostly pushed to the beginning and end. But at least it has no silliness of early amateurish Chinese anime.   Overall Rating: 6/10   52. Huan Jie Wang Eudemon Quest 幻界王 [Tencent Animation & Comics] (Finished 3/20) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy  In the world where most of the humans of the Eudemon continent have power of Eudemon (spiritual power), the protagonist is born without spiritual power, his dream is to be the next king of Eudemon. But without having any spiritual power can you fulfill your dream? On a day before the Tian Wu exam, he crosses a spy from the Mo Wu side that was defeated in the great war of 10 years ago. This girl infiltrates the forces of Tian Wu and thus the protagonist was involved in the middle of the fight between the forces Tian Wu and Mo Wu. I wonder why there's no comedy tag as it's silly Chinese antics all over again which prevent from taking it seriously to any degree.   Overall Rating: 5/10   53. Bai Ye Ling Long Whited Nighttime 白夜玲珑 [Seven Stone Entertainment] (Finished 1/25) Tags: School Romance Ling Long is a normal girl. She just wants to get through her day without any problems, but makes a mess out of it again. Why? It's because her online friend has suddenly stopped contacting her. As time went on, she became more and more agitated. Her normal life has began to change... It's Chinese, shoujo with overreactions, iyashikey and even reverse harem - everything I dislike.   Overall Rating: 5/10   54. Wo Shi Jiang Xiaobai (2018) I'm Joybo OVA 我是江小白 世界上的另一个我 [2:10 AM Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Love Polygon Drama, Romance, Slice of Life Jiang Xiaobai has regained his memories, and Tong Li cannot bring herself to face him. Separately, they confront the truths left unsaid for 10 years—about the band September, to which Jiang Xiaobai and Mu Xiyu dedicated their youth; about the love triangle between Jiang Xiaobai, Mu Xiyu, and Tong Li; and about the painful circumstances that brought the trio together and ultimately led to the terrible tragedy that occurred on the day Tong Li left for America. At the end of it all, can Jiang Xiaobai and Tong Li accept the past and face the future together? Had to include OVA of the anime that I rated as masterpiece. Series is not complete without this finale.   Overall Rating: 6/10   55. Dou Hun Wei Zhi Xuan Yue Qiyuan Spirit Guardians 斗魂卫之玄月奇缘 [Yi Chen Animation] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy  In ancient times, spiritual holiness that tried to destroy humanity was caused by the soul on Xuan Huang’s Sword. Today, the human desire to develop without limits, plundering resources, destroying the environment, pierced through Xuan Huang’s sword. The rise of spiritual people will be their own dark power on the eve of Luosha teaching. Zhang Shan accidentally involved in the dispute. With soul power, he wants to save the danger of Moon Shang Devil. Full CGI, but at least not wuxia, so can take a peek. And it becomes just poor superpowers action with horrible protagonist and lots of various spiritual references.   Overall Rating: 5/10   56. Meng Ta: Xue Mi Cheng Dream Tower 梦塔 - 雪谜城 [-] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery, Supernatural MC is chosen by dream messenger from the dream world to become a dream warrior. CGI is of high quality, but immature protagonist and rather slow mystery-centered narration don't let me enjoy it or want to proceed.   Overall Rating: 6/10   57. Moshi Juexing: Ruqin 末世觉醒之入侵 [Oriental Creative Color] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Mecha, Military Action, Sci-Fi A brutal battle for survival between humans, zombies and artificial intelligence in the future society. Not translated, and I wish it was since CGI is good and action is watchable. Not much sense watching it as it is, so maybe when it gets translation.   Overall Rating: 6/10   58. Asagao to Kase-san. Kase-san and Morning Glories あさがおと加瀬さん。 [Zexcs] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shoujo School Girls Love Yui Yamada, a high school girl with a fondness for plants and gardening, starts dating Tomoka Kase, the ace of her school's track team. Yui is shy, girly, and has never been in a relationship. On the other hand, Tomoka is vivacious, tomboyish, and popular among her friends. Despite being different in so many ways, they try to understand and support each other while experiencing the rush of exhilaration that accompanies the magic of first love. Asagao to Kase-san is a heartwarming tale of two girls dealing with their ever-increasing feelings for each other along with other concerns that plague the hearts of maidens in love. Serious girls love leaves me indifferent.   Overall Rating: 6/10   59. Liz to Aoi Tori Liz and the Blue Bird リズと青い鳥 [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Music, Performing Arts, School Award Winning, Drama Liz's days of solitude come to an end when she meets a blue bird in the form of a young girl. Although their relationship blossoms, Liz must make a heart-wrenching decision in order to truly realize her love for Blue Bird. High school seniors and close friends Mizore Yoroizuka and Nozomi Kasaki are tasked to play the lead instruments in the third movement of Liz and the Blue Bird, a concert band piece inspired by this fairy tale. The introverted and reserved Mizore plays the oboe, representing the kind and gentle Liz. Meanwhile, the radiant and popular Nozomi plays the flute, portraying the cheerful and energetic Blue Bird. However, as they rehearse, the distance between Mizore and Nozomi seems to grow. Their disjointed duet disappoints the band, and with graduation on the horizon, uncertainty about the future spurs complicated emotions. With little time to improve as their performance draws near, they desperately attempt to connect with their respective characters. But when Mizore and Nozomi consider the story from a brand-new perspective, will the girls find the strength to face harsh realities? A spin-off film adaptation of the Hibike Euphonium! series, Liz to Aoi Tori dances between the parallels of a charming fairy tale, a moving musical piece, and a delicate high school friendship. It's very slow, and I did not like Hibike Euphonium to begin with.   Overall Rating: 6/10   60. Ninja Batman Batman Ninja ニンジャバットマン [Kamikaze Douga] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Martial Arts, Samurai, Time Travel Action At Arkham Asylum, Batman clashes with Gorilla Grodd while trying to destroy Grodd's newest invention: the Quake Engine. Amidst the chaos, the engine activates, and the entire asylum suddenly vanishes into thin air—Batman along with it. Once the dust settles, Batman finds himself standing in the middle of an unfamiliar road. He soon realizes that he is no longer in Gotham City—but instead in Feudal Japan! The amazement quickly fades as samurai descend upon him, seeking to take his life. Later on, Batman's investigation leads him to discover that the one responsible for the kill order is none other than his archnemesis, the Joker. Following an encounter with Catwoman, he learns that the asylum's criminals had teleported there two years earlier—each ruling over a piece of Japan with Joker being the dominant warlord. In order to return home, Batman must reactivate the Quake Engine, situated in the remnants of the asylum, now known as Arkham Castle. However, there is one problem: aside from his gadget belt, the arsenal that was once at his fingertips is all but gone. Ninja Batman follows the Dark Knight as he traverses a strange new environment, facing off against familiar foes in a bid to return to Gotham in one piece. I've seen Japanese ninja turtles. This is worse and done not even in stable style.   Overall Rating: 5/10   61. Godzilla 2: Kessen Kidou Zoushoku Toshi Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle GODZILLA 決戦機動増殖都市 [Polygon Pictures] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi  By the advent of the 21st century, much of humanity was dead, having been trampled over by a new master, Godzilla. A select few among mankind took to the stars in a spacefaring vessel called the Aratrum in search of "the promised land," the planet Tau-e that could sustain human life. But the migration plan fails, and the remnants of the human race decide to return to Earth. But the distortions in space-time and the distance traveled means that mankind is returning to a completely changed Earth some 20,000 years later. The returnees, led by hero Haruo, prepare to take the fight to Godzilla based on a strategy that has been 20 years in the making. Carried out with the help of two alien species, the Exif and the Bilusaludo, the humans succeed in defeating Godzilla in a costly battle to the death. But the victory is short-lived. Rising from the depths of the planet is a new breed of monster, dubbed "Godzilla Earth." Evolving for 20,000 years, the creature stands 300 meters high, weighs over 100,000 tons and wields such overwhelmingly destructive power that Haruo and company have no choice but to run for their lives. Coming to Haruo's rescue, however, is Miana, a member of an aboriginal tribe called the Houtua. They are the first humanoid people the returnees have encountered. Could they descend from humans? "Our tribal god was destroyed by Godzilla. All that we have left are these eggs. Anyone who has tried to fight or resist him has been drowned in fire," the tribespeople say to Haruo, who responds with: "This is our last hope of recovering our home." Meanwhile, Bilusaludo commander, Galu-gu is elated to discover that the Houtua tribe's arrowheads are made of a nanometal or a self-sustaining metal. It had been developed in the 21st century as an "anti-Godzilla" killer weapon deployed at their decisive battle fought at the foot of Mt. Fuji, but had been destroyed before it could be activated in the form of a "Mecha-Godzilla." The nanometal was its base substance, and proof that the manufacturing plant can still be used. Even less action compared to prequel, so they needed to introduce new characters and their drama. Rather boring.   Overall Rating: 6/10   62. Crayon Shin-chan Movie 26: Bakumori! Kung Fu Boys - Ramen Tairan 映画クレヨンしんちゃん 爆盛！カンフーボーイズ ～拉麺大乱～ [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Comedy Shin-chan is all set to challenge Kung Fu in the Chinatown of Kasukabe city, known as "Aiya Town." hinnosuke and Kasukabe Defence Group are going to put up a totally no-stunt Kung Fu challenge on tthe stage. Average, as every conspiracy themed Shin-chan movie.   Overall Rating: 6/10   63. Nu ta SHe [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Avant Garde, Fantasy  In a totalitarian and male chauvinist world, a female high-heeled shoe named Mulan Hua rebels against the baby shoe factory to protect her baby girl from being transformed into a male shoe. To raise her daughter, she later has to disguise herself as a male sturdy shoe and works day and night in a capitalist cigarette factory. The story is not only about a mother’s sacrifice and a feminist’s revenge, but also has a political undertone of the intoxication of power. It's not anime. Super weird avant garde plasticine craze.
    Overall Rating: 5/10
  24. kivandopulus
    Goblin Slayer has no rivals. First season of Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken made quite an impact. Other good titles are Sword Art Online: Alicization , Zombieland Saga and Ken En Ken: Aoki Kagayaki .   1. Seishun Buta Yarou wa Bunny Girl Senpai no Yume wo Minai Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai 青春ブタ野郎はバニーガール先輩の夢を見ない  [CloverWorks] (Finished 13/13) Tags: School Drama, Romance, Supernatural The rare and inexplicable Puberty Syndrome is thought of as a myth. It is a rare disease which only affects teenagers, and its symptoms are so supernatural that hardly anyone recognizes it as a legitimate occurrence. However, high school student Sakuta Azusagawa knows from personal experience that it is very much real, and happens to be quite prevalent in his school. Mai Sakurajima is a third-year high school student who gained fame in her youth as a child actress, but recently halted her promising career for reasons unknown to the public. With an air of unapproachability, she is well known throughout the school, but none dare interact with her—that is until Sakuta sees her wandering the library in a bunny girl costume. Despite the getup, no one seems to notice her, and after confronting her, he realizes that she is another victim of Puberty Syndrome. As Sakuta tries to help Mai through her predicament, his actions bring him into contact with more girls afflicted with the elusive disease. What I call meta story as it starts with amnesia, continues with time loop and then goes to imouto suddenly and loses any kind or focus. It lacks integrity and meaning.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime 転生したらスライムだった件 [8bit] (Finished 24/24) Tags: Shounen Isekai, Reincarnation Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy Thirty-seven-year-old Satoru Mikami is a typical corporate worker, who is perfectly content with his monotonous lifestyle in Tokyo, other than failing to nail down a girlfriend even once throughout his life. In the midst of a casual encounter with his colleague, he falls victim to a random assailant on the streets and is stabbed. However, while succumbing to his injuries, a peculiar voice echoes in his mind, and recites a bunch of commands which the dying man cannot make sense of. When Satoru regains consciousness, he discovers that he has reincarnated as a goop of slime in an unfamiliar realm. In doing so, he acquires newfound skills—notably, the power to devour anything and mimic its appearance and abilities. He then stumbles upon the sealed Catastrophe-level monster "Storm Dragon" Veldora who had been sealed away for the past 300 years for devastating a town to ashes. Sympathetic to his predicament, Satoru befriends him, promising to assist in destroying the seal. In return, Veldora bestows upon him the name Rimuru Tempest to grant him divine protection. Now, liberated from the mundanities of his past life, Rimuru embarks on a fresh journey with a distinct goal in mind. As he grows accustomed to his new physique, his gooey antics ripple throughout the world, gradually altering his fate. Beginning is great, but the latter half tones impression down a lot. Following seasons lose even that, so can be considered borderline masterpieces at best for me.   Overall Rating: 8/10   3. Goblin Slayer ゴブリンスレイヤー [White Fox] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Gore Action, Adventure, Fantasy  Goblins are known for their ferocity, cunning, and rapid reproduction, but their reputation as the lowliest of monsters causes their threat to be overlooked. Raiding rural civilizations to kidnap females of other species for breeding, these vile creatures are free to continue their onslaught as adventurers turn a blind eye in favor of more rewarding assignments with larger bounties. To commemorate her first day as a Porcelain-ranked adventurer, the 15-year-old Priestess joins a band of young, enthusiastic rookies to investigate a tribe of goblins responsible for the disappearance of several village women. Unprepared and inexperienced, the group soon faces its inevitable demise from an ambush while exploring a cave. With no one else left standing, the terrified Priestess accepts her fate—until the Goblin Slayer unexpectedly appears to not only rescue her with little effort, but destroy the entire goblin nest. As a holder of the prestigious Silver rank, the Goblin Slayer allows her to accompany him as he assists the Adventurer's Guild in all goblin-related matters. Together with the Priestess, High Elf, Dwarf, and Lizardman, the armored warrior will not rest until every single goblin in the frontier lands has been eradicated for good. Perfect.   Overall Rating: 10/10   4. Sword Art Online: Alicization ソードアート・オンライン アリシゼーション [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 24/24) Tags: Video Game Action, Adventure, Fantasy The Soul Translator is a state-of-the-art full-dive interface which interacts with the user's Fluctlight—the technological equivalent of a human soul—and fundamentally differs from the orthodox method of sending signals to the brain. The private institute Rath aims to perfect their creation by enlisting the aid of Sword Art Online survivor Kazuto Kirigaya. He works there as a part-time employee to test the system's capabilities in the Underworld: the fantastical realm generated by the Soul Translator. As per the confidentiality contract, any memories created by the machine in the virtual world are wiped upon returning to the real world. Kazuto can only vaguely recall a single name, Alice, which provokes a sense of unease when mentioned in reality. When Kazuto escorts Asuna Yuuki home one evening, they chance upon a familiar foe. Kazuto is mortally wounded in the ensuing fight and loses consciousness. When he comes to, he discovers that he has made a full-dive into the Underworld with seemingly no way to escape. He sets off on a quest, seeking a way back to the physical world once again. Finally a worthy continuation, but nothing to really brag about.   Overall Rating: 7/10   5. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Part 5: Ougon no Kaze JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind ジョジョの奇妙な冒険 黄金の風 [David Production] (Finished 1/39) Tags: Shounen Organized Crime Action, Adventure, Supernatural In the coastal city of Naples, corruption is teeming—the police blatantly conspire with outlaws, drugs run rampant around the youth, and the mafia governs the streets with an iron fist. However, various fateful encounters will soon occur. Enter Giorno Giovanna, a 15-year-old boy with an eccentric connection to the Joestar family, who makes a living out of part-time jobs and pickpocketing. Furthermore, he is gifted with the unexplained Stand ability to give and create life—growing plants from the ground and turning inanimate objects into live animals, an ability he has dubbed "Gold Experience." Fascinated by the might of local gangsters, Giorno has dreamed of rising up in their ranks and becoming a "Gang-Star," a feat made possible by his encounter with Bruno Bucciarati, a member of the Passione gang with his own sense of justice. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken: Ougon no Kaze follows the endeavors of Giorno after joining Bruno's team while working under Passione, fending off other gangsters and secretly plotting to overthrow their mysterious boss. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Tokyo Ghoul:re 2nd Season 東京喰種トーキョーグール：re 第2期 [Pierrot] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Gore, Psychological Action, Fantasy, Horror After the conclusion of the Tsukiyama Family Extermination Operation, the members of the Commission of Counter Ghouls (CCG) have grown exponentially in power and continue to pursue their goal of exterminating every ghoul in Japan. Having resigned from Quinx Squad, the now seemingly emotionless Haise Sasaki begins taking on more and more tasks from the CCG with no regard to the difficulty. Despite his vacant expressions, Ken Kaneki's memories are resurfacing in Haise, leaving him in a state of internal conflict. Meanwhile, his new coldhearted behavior is affecting the people around him. Quinx Squad are left in shambles, having to cope with the death of one of their embers without the support of their former mentor. Amidst this turmoil, both Quinx Squad and Haise must continue to fulfill their duties to the CCG, whether willingly or not. However, the presence of a mysterious group behind the CCG has been made known to Haise, and certain whispers of corruption have not gone unheard by the Quinx Squad as well. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Fairy Tail: Final Series Fairy Tail Final Series FAIRY TAIL ファイナルシリーズ [A-1 Pictures, Bridge, CloverWorks] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Fantasy Although Fairy Tail has been disbanded and its members are now spread far across Fiore, Natsu Dragneel hasn't given up on reuniting the guild he and others once called home. Along with his companions Happy and Lucy Heartfilia, he will stop at nothing to keep Fairy Tail and its fiery spirit alive even as they face their most difficult trial yet—the invasion of Fiore by the Alvarez Empire's immense army and their all-too-familiar ruler. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Zombieland Saga ゾンビランドサガ [MAPPA] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Idols (Female), Music, Parody Award Winning, Comedy, Supernatural Sakura Minamoto dreams of becoming an idol. Unfortunately, reality hits her like a truck, and she dies in a sudden traffic accident. Ten years later, she wakes up in Saga Prefecture, only to find herself a zombie with no memory of her past. While still coming to terms with her demise, she meets a man named Koutarou Tatsumi, who explains that he has resurrected her and six other zombie girls from different eras for the purpose of economically revitalizing Saga by means of an idol group. Assuming the role of an abrasive manager, Koutarou begins scheduling events; the girls go along with it, eventually deciding to name their idol group Franchouchou. An absurdly comedic take on the idol genre, Zombieland Saga tells the story of Franchouchou's heartwarming struggle to save Saga Prefecture while hiding their zombie identities and rediscovering their past lives. It's crazy and silly yet memorable idol anime with good structure as first half is devoted to the group and then is followed by individual girl arcs. There are enough memorable moments that I can even nominate it as borderline masterpiece.  Overall Rating: 7/10   9. Kishuku Gakkou no Juliet Boarding School Juliet 寄宿学校のジュリエット [LIDENFILMS] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen School Action, Comedy, Romance We lay our scene in the fair Dahlia Academy, where two countries, both alike in dignity, come together; the "Black Doggies" of the Eastern Nation of Touwa and "White Cats" of the Principality of West have a longstanding feud. Romio Inuzuka and Juliet Persia, leaders of their respective dorms, seem to be bitter enemies. In reality, however, Romio and Juliet are hopelessly in love, but revealing their relationship would call upon the ire of all their comrades. They hide their love to maintain peace, but a clandestine relationship means they miss out on many of the activities couples get to do. As they grow closer together, Romio and Juliet must come to terms with the fact that keeping their relationship a secret may prove to be impossible. Artificial setting of campus rivalry just to fool around it. Found nothing I could really enjoy.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Yagate Kimi ni Naru Bloom Into You やがて君になる [TROYCA] (Finished 1/13) Tags: School Drama, Girls Love Yuu Koito has always been entranced with romantic shoujo manga and the lyrics of love songs. She patiently waits for the wings of love to sprout and send her heart aflutter on the day that she finally receives a confession. Yet, when her classmate from junior high declares his love for her during their graduation, she feels unexpectedly hollow. The realization hits her: she understands romance as a concept, but she is incapable of experiencing the feeling first-hand. Now, having enrolled in high school, Yuu, disconcerted and dispirited, is still ruminating over how to respond to her suitor. There, she happens upon the seemingly flawless student council president, Touko Nanami, maturely rejecting a confession of her own. Stirred by Touko's elegant manner, Yuu approaches her for advice, only to be bewildered when the president confesses to her! Yuu quickly finds herself in the palm of Touko's hand, and unknowingly sets herself on a path to find the emotion which has long eluded her. Serious girls love, so not exactly my plate to comment on.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Irozuku Sekai no Ashita kara Iroduku: The World in Colors 色づく世界の明日から [P.A. Works] (Finished 7/13) Tags: Love Polygon, School, Time Travel, Visual Arts Drama, Fantasy, Romance Despite the kaleidoscopic magic ingrained in everyday life, Hitomi Tsukishiro's monochrome world is deprived of emotion and feeling. On a night as black and white as any other, amidst the fireworks spreading across the sky, Hitomi's grandmother Kohaku conjures a spell, for which she has been harnessing the moon's light for 60 years, to send Hitomi back in time to the year 2018 when Kohaku was in high school. Hitomi's mission seems unclear, but her grandmother assures her that she will know when she gets there. Following a trip through time aboard a train driven by a strange yellow creature, Hitomi finds herself in stoic artist Yuito Aoi's room, and his drawings flood her world with color. What is Hitomi's purpose there, and why do Yuito's drawings return such breathtaking color to her drab world? P A Works version of modern mahou shoujo which inevitably means slow pace and rather boring SOL. Good atmosphere and characters, but weak as a story.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru Run with the Wind 風が強く吹いている [Production I.G] (Finished 1/23) Tags: Adult Cast Drama, Sports Former ace runner of Sendai Josei High School, Kakeru Kurahara is chased away from a convenience store for shoplifting. Shaking off his pursuer, he runs into Haiji Kiyose, another student from his university. Haiji is impressed by Kakeru's agility and persuades him to live in Chikusei-sou, the run-down apartment where Haiji resides along with eight other students. Having lost his entire apartment deposit at a mahjong parlor, Kakeru accepts the offer reluctantly. However, Haiji reveals a secret during Kakeru's welcoming party: the apartment is actually the dormitory of the Kansei University Track Club. He unveils his ultimate goal of participating in the Hakone Ekiden—one of the most prominent university marathon relay races in Japan. Unfortunately, all the residents apart from Haiji and Kakeru are complete running novices. Worse still, none of the inhabitants are even remotely interested in being involved with Haiji's ridiculous plan! With only months before the deadline, will the fourth-year student be able to convince them otherwise and realize his elusive dream of running in the Hakone Ekiden? Bishounen spokon so I could not care less.   Overall Rating: 5/10   13. SSSS.Gridman  [Trigger] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Mecha Action, Award Winning, Sci-Fi Yuuta Hibiki wakes up in the room of Rikka Takarada and notices two things: he has no memories, and he can hear a mysterious voice calling his name from a nearby room. On further inspection, he finds a robot—which introduces itself as Hyper Agent Gridman—behind the screen of an old computer. Much to Yuuta's surprise, Rikka cannot hear Gridman, nor can she see the ominous monsters looming over a thick fog as it envelopes the town outside. Another giant monster materializes in the city and proceeds to wreak havoc. Amidst the confusion, Yuuta is once again drawn to the old computer and merges with Gridman. Suddenly, he appears in the middle of the battle and is forced to fight the monster. Together with Rikka and fellow classmate Shou Utsumi, Yuuta forms the "Gridman Alliance" to defeat the monsters plaguing the city and find whoever is responsible for their emergence. Feels like a modern look at Evangelion concept. Story and characters weren't interesting enough for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Toaru Majutsu no Index III A Certain Magical Index III とある魔術の禁書目録Ⅲ [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Super Power Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi Touma Kamijou can't catch a break. After the invasion of Academy City, political tensions continue to rise as both the science and magic factions collide head on. It appears that Academy City intends to declare war against the Roman Catholic Church, consequently plunging the whole world into global warfare. Touma soon finds himself on the front lines once again, striving to protect his friends and allies. Toaru Majutsu no Index III serves as the last installment of the original franchise as Touma, Accelerator, and the true Level 0 Shiage Hamazura continue their separate journeys, leading up to the final act of the original light novel series. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Radiant ラディアン [Lerche] (Finished 2/21) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy  Nemeses—powerful and mysterious demonic entities that fall from the sky and vaporize anything they touch. The only ones who can combat these creatures are Sorcerers, those who have survived an encounter with a Nemesis but were infected in the process. Seth, a Sorcerer from Pompo Hills, sets out on an adventure to exterminate all these Nemeses. Accompanying him are Doc and Mélie, fellow Sorcerers who share his ideal. Their main objective is to bring about a world where Sorcerers are no longer persecuted for being infected, and to that end, desire to destroy the source of the Nemeses themselves: the mythical Radiant. As shounen'y as it can be.   Overall Rating: 5/10   16. Golden Kamuy 2nd Season Golden Kamuy Season 2 ゴールデンカムイ [Geno Studio] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Historical, Military Action, Adventure In Hokkaido, it is rumored that there is a stash of hidden gold. This gold was supposedly stolen by a man who killed the original Ainu owners; and before being captured and imprisoned by the police, he hid it in a secret location. In order to relay the gold's location to his comrades on the outside, he tattooed the map on the bodies of his cellmates and promised them a share of the gold—provided they managed to escape and find it. In Golden Kamuy 2nd Season, First Lieutenant Tokushirou Tsurumi plans to give the 7th Division an advantage in the war for the tattoos by getting a taxidermist to create skins that only he can distinguish as fake. Meanwhile, Saichi "The Immortal" Sugimoto, Asirpa, and their companions continue their hunt for the skins by following a strange rumor: a thief who broke into a home in Yubari found taxidermied human corpses, among which was a torso with strange tattoos. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Tsurune: Kazemai Koukou Kyuudou-bu Tsurune: Kazemai High School Kyudo Club ツルネ ―風舞高校弓道部― [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 2/13) Tags: School Sports "Tsurune"—It's the sound made by the bowstring when an arrow is released, and the sound that inspired Minato Narumiya to learn kyudo, a modern Japanese martial art focusing on archery. However, an incident during his last middle school tournament caused him to quit the sport. But soon, many factors conspire to make Minato take up the bow once again: the start of a new kyudo club in his high school, a chance encounter with a mysterious archer, and the support of his childhood friends, Seiya Takehaya and Ryouhei Yamanouchi. Together with his childhood friends and his new teammates, Kaito Onogi and Nanao Kisaragi, Minato rekindles his love for kyudo and works with his team toward their aim of winning the prefectural tournament. Spokon drama not in a good meaning of this word. And after Ping Pong the Animation this looks so fake and pretentious that can't continue.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Ore ga Suki nano wa Imouto dakedo Imouto ja Nai My Sister, My Writer 俺が好きなのは妹だけど妹じゃない [NAZ, Magia Doraglier] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Comedy, Romance, Ecchi  Aspiring light novel author Yuu Nagami regularly enters writing competitions but has yet to win a single one. Despite his recurring failures, he remains steadfast in his resolve to become a better writer. When he takes a look at the list of winning authors in the latest contest he joined, he notices that someone named Chikai Towano dominated the competition. He soon discovers that behind the pen name is his sister Suzuka—the last person he can imagine being an author. Suzuka cannot reveal to anyone that she is Chikai Towano and requests her brother to take her place. Yuu agrees with one condition: he will continue posing as Chikai Towano for his sister until he publishes his own book. Until that happens, Yuu uses his new identity as an opportunity to improve his writing skills and meet fellow authors and new acquaintances along the way. Hardly anything to do here without serious imouto affinity. Simple and straightforward. It pains me to even put this work together with Eromanga sensei in one row, but there is bottomless chasm between them.   Overall Rating: 5/10   19. Karakuri Circus からくりサーカス [Studio VOLN] (Finished 4/36) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Drama, Mystery  Narumi Katou is a middle-aged man who suffers from the bizarre ZONAPHA Syndrome: a rare and inexplicable disease that causes its victims to endure severe seizures at random, with the only cure being to watch someone laugh. One day, during Narumi's part time job, a young boy with a giant suitcase fleeing from three adults runs into him. The boy introduces himself as Masaru Saiga, the new owner of the famous Saiga Enterprises following his father's recent death. However, other members of his family are trying to assassinate him and claim the fortune for themselves. Determined to save the child, Narumi helps Masaru escape and ends up fighting the pursuers, only to discover that they are sentient humanoid puppets with superhuman strength. As Narumi is about to lose, a white-haired girl suddenly joins the fray and swiftly summons yet another puppet from the boy's suitcase, claiming herself to be Shirogane, Masaru's guardian. Karakuri Circus follows three people from different backgrounds whose fates intertwine and diverge as they unravel the mysteries of an ancient tale of love and betrayal, and the long, ancient battle between humans and puppets. I'm surprised to learn that it does not come from author of Jojo, because the style and spirits are there and it's also starts with revenge arc, but there are similarities with Usio to Tora as well. A clear recommendation to Jojo fans, but that does not include me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Conception CONCEPTION（コンセプション）  [Gonzo] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, Isekai, Parody Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance On his high school graduation day, Itsuki's cousin, Mahiru, tells him that she's pregnant. Just then, a gate of light emerges and transports the two into the world of Granvania. In this land, "Impurities" have been causing a disturbance to the Stars, ultimately plunging Granvania into chaos and disorder. And Itsuki, now revealed to be one who is fated to meet with the "Star Maidens," is seen as Granvania's last hope and was thus given the task to produce "Star Children" and combat the "impurities." And unless the task is complete, Itsuki may never be able to return home. Terrible artificial harem conception.   Overall Rating: 5/10   21. Hinomaruzumou Hinomaru Sumo 火ノ丸相撲 [Gonzo] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shounen Combat Sports, School  In professional sumo, there are no weight classes. It's a savage sport where the strongest survive, and anyone willing to test their mettle can step into the ring. There is, however, a minimum size requirement to be a pro sumo wrestler, and young Hinomaru Ushio, incredibly talented and hardworking though he may be, does not meet that requirement. This small boy has big dreams of reaching the highest class of sumo, Hinoshita Kaisan. The only way he could possibly go pro is if he becomes the High School Yokozuna, a title given to the strongest wrestler in high school tournaments. Ushio is under a lot of pressure, as well as a time limit. If he can't show off his skills in the high school tournaments, he may lose his chance to go pro permanently, and the odds are stacked against him. Instead of enrolling in Ishigami High, the best school for sumo in Japan, he enrolls in Odachi High and must build a sumo club from the ground up with the one devout member Shinya Ozeki. Odachi High is the true underdog of the sumo world, but Ushio has to push forward with all his strength if he is going to make it professionally. High spirits shounen spokon, and I don't favor both of these.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Uchi no Maid ga Uzasugiru! UzaMaid! うちのメイドがウザすぎる！ [Doga Kobo] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Comedy, Girls Love Having lost her mother at a young age, Misha Takanashi, a second grader who is Russian now lives with her Japanese step-father. Tsubame Kamoi, formerly a Japan Air Self-Defense Force, JASDF officer, comes to the Takanashi household as a housekeeper. This is a home comedy where Kamoi, a hardcore lolicon, attempts to get near Misha as she tries to fight against her. This type of episodic senseless comedy is decent at best.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Gaikotsu Shotenin Honda-san Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san ガイコツ書店員本田さん [DLE] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Adult Cast, Otaku Culture, Workplace Comedy Honda is a skeleton, but more importantly, he is a bookseller. And he'll tell you from firsthand experience that the job of a bookstore employee is more challenging than it may seem to the average customer. Alongside his equally eccentric coworkers, Honda constantly deals with the stressful requirements of the bookselling industry. From the drama of receiving new titles without their bonus material to the struggle of providing quality service to customers who speak a different language, the work of a skeleton bookseller never ends. Nevertheless, despite the hardships he faces, Honda thoroughly enjoys his job and strives to bring the best book selections and service to his customers. Simple in quality half-length yonkoma comedy episodes. Did not find it funny.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Tonari no Kyuuketsuki-san Ms. Vampire who lives in my neighborhood. となりの吸血鬼さん [Studio Gokumi, AXsiZ] (Finished 3/12) Tags: CGDCT, Vampire Comedy, Supernatural  Rumors tell about an ageless girl who only comes out at night, living in a mansion in the middle of the forest. Some say that she is a living doll with a soul. Upon hearing these rumors, Akari Amano seeks out this girl, only to find herself lost as she treks through the woods amidst the darkness. A vampire named Sophie Twilight saves her, turning out to be the rumored girl. However, unlike the vampires told in myths, Sophie does not attack humans and instead orders her blood online. Akari instantly becomes charmed with her doll-like appearance and proceeds to abruptly move in with her, thus starting their life together. Vampire themed nonsense SOL without really outstanding traits.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Beelzebub-jou no Okinimesu mama. As Miss Beelzebub Likes. ベルゼブブ嬢のお気に召すまま。 [LIDENFILMS] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Shounen Mythology, Workplace Comedy, Fantasy, Romance According to legend, Beelzebub, one of the seven princes of Hell, betrayed God and was banished from Heaven for eternity. Beelzebub now leads the kingdom of Pandemonium, where all former angels roam and work every single day of their immortal lives. A devil like him would give people chills at the mere mention of his name. But what if Beelzebub is not as evil as initially thought? What if he was obsessed with fluffy things? And what if Beelzebub is actually a woman? That is what new assistant Myurin discovers when he is hired to serve Her Majesty Beelzebub. She may know exactly what to do to keep Pandemonium running like clockwork, but whenever she leaves the professionalism of the office, the girl needs some assistance in order to function like a normal... devil. As much as Myurin can't stand being unprofessional, he is secretly obsessed with her adorable antics, and his new job teaches him that everything is not exactly what it seems, especially with the other head devils of Pandemonium. Another episodic comedy and again with focus on cuteness. Feels seriously stale.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Ulysses: Jehanne Darc to Renkin no Kishi Ulysses: Jeanne d'Arc and the Alchemist Knight ユリシーズ ジャンヌ・ダルクと錬金の騎士 [AXsiZ] (Finished 6/12) Tags: Harem, Historical, Military Action, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi The story is set in the 15th century, during the Hundred Years' War between France and England over the succession to the French throne. Montmorency, the son of a noble, immerses himself in the studies of magic and alchemy at a royal knight training school. However, following France's crushing defeat at Agincourt, the school is dissolved. Having lost everything and now a wanted man, Montmorency, who had just become an alchemist, encounters a mysterious village girl named Jehanne. Alchemy, 3-minute wonder waffle, ecchi, the need to kiss to gain power and parasiting over real history make it only passable, far from great.   Overall Rating: 6/10   27. Release the Spyce  [Lay-duce] (Finished 2/12) Tags: School Action  Momo Minamoto is a shy teenager who simply wants to do good in the world. Her dream is to follow in her police officer father's footsteps and support law and order. And just like him, she has a very unique ability: her senses are much more refined than those of any average person. A simple lick will enable her to determine what someone is feeling. One night, as she admires the landscape, Momo sees suspicious shades moving in the distance. After learning that those shades were spies, she is recruited by their captain Yuki Hanzoumon, a senior at her school. The members of their secret agency, called the Tsukikage, also have the power to gain strength after ingesting spices. Release the Spyce is an action-packed spy series about the Tsukikage's missions as they fight in the shadows to protect the city from crime while keeping up with their high school life. A mix of girly superhero and spy action. Super boring, to be honest.   Overall Rating: 5/10   28. Senran Kagura Shinovi Master: Tokyo Youma-hen Senran Kagura: Shinovi Master 閃乱カグラ SHINOVI MASTER -東京妖魔篇- [TNK] (Finished 2/12) Tags: School Action, Comedy, Ecchi Girls study at schools for modern shinobi. They dedicate their entire young lives to learning to become true shinobi, battling each other to polish their skills. And then one day, Asuka, whose grandfather is a legendary shinobi, encounters an ancient evil being named a "Youma" in the back alleys of Tokyo at Christmastime. Where there is light, there is shadow. Over 28 of the strongest and most well-endowed ninjas in history, both good and evil, will collide in a battle to determine true justice. And this deadly battle begins... right now. Silly booby action without any redeeming qualities.   Overall Rating: 5/10   29. Anima Yell! アニマエール！ [Doga Kobo] (Finished 3/12) Tags: CGDCT, Performing Arts, School Comedy, Sports Kohane Hatoya’s most lovable trait is also her greatest flaw. She loves to help others no matter how far she has to go in order to get the job done. Her biggest inspiration to do so comes to light when she sees what cheerleading looks like for the first time in middle school. Now a highschooler but as enthusiastic as ever, Kohane wants nothing more than to start her very own cheerleading squad. She's encouraged by her best friend, Uki Sawatari, who often has to help her get out of trouble. There is just one problem: Kohane does not have any experience in cheerleading. She has absolutely no idea what to do, what to wear, or how to perform. To make matters worse, she has been scared of heights since childhood, and this new sport is full of stunts pulled far from the ground for a girl her size. Enter Hizume Arima, a former cheerleader who wishes to leave her pastime behind. Unfortunately for her, Kohane recognizes Hizume, and will stop at nothing just so she can lead the new squad, even if it means facing her childhood fear. Normal all girl school club anime, just more cheer-full than usual.   Overall Rating: 6/10   30. Gyakuten Saiban: Sono "Shinjitsu", Igi Ari! Season 2 Ace Attorney Season 2 逆転裁判 ～その「真実」、異議あり！～ Season 2 [CloverWorks] (Finished 1/23) Tags: Detective, Workplace  Comedy, Drama, Mystery Defense attorney Ryuuichi Naruhodou is still hard at work defending the falsely accused with his knack for last-minute turnabouts. With his trusty assistant and medium-in-training Mayoi Ayasato in tow, Ryuuichi's fame as a champion for the innocent steadily grows. But this newfound success attracts the attention of the coffee-loving, masked Godot⁠—a mysterious rookie prosecutor who bears an inexplicable grudge against Ryuuichi. With the help of their allies, Ryuuichi and Mayoi take this new challenger head-on and search for the reason behind his appearance. But before long, the first two cases from the career of Mayoi's late sister Chihiro Ayasato become critical to solving a fantastical murder mystery, continuing the bloody saga of the tumultuous Ayasato clan. Will Ryuuichi once again be able to overcome the odds and find the truths hidden within the web of lies? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   31. RErideD: Tokigoe no Derrida RErideD: Derrida, who leaps through time RErideD－刻越えのデリダ－ [Geek Toys] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi  The year is 2050. A young engineer named Derrida Yvain became famous thanks to his contribution to the development of the "Autonomous Machine DZ" at Rebuild, the manufacturing company founded by his father. One day, Derrida and his colleague Nathan discover a flaw in the DZs and try to warn their boss, but are ignored. Although Derrida and Nathan are aware of the danger, they reluctantly decide to put off taking any measures, and instead go to Nathan's daughter Mage's birthday party. The next day, after enjoying a peaceful day, Derrida and Nathan are suddenly attacked by unknown forces. At the end of the escape, Derrida falls into a cold sleep machine and 10 years later, he wakes up to a devastated world in the middle of a war. While Derrida is attacked by a group of out of control DZs, he almost gives up, but he recalls Nathan's last words. Time travel/loop thing that wants to be Stein's Gate, but it's not really impactful or memorable. Also has one-dimensional characters and some excessively repeated tropes.   Overall Rating: 6/10   32. Hangyakusei Million Arthur Operation Han-Gyaku-Sei Million Arthur 叛逆性ミリオンアーサー [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3/10) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy  Tales of old speak of the legends of Excalibur, a sacred sword. The sword is wielded by those who are worthy of its power, bestowing them extraordinary strength and granting them the title of Arthur. However, a divine miracle results in the creation of multiple Excaliburs, thus distorting the fabric of time. Aiming to revert time to its original course, a group of six Arthurs composed of Danchou, Renkin, Kakka, Yamaneko, Tekken, and Rurou are sent back in time when the abnormal Excaliburs were spawned. They are assigned with one sole task: to destroy the Excaliburs of the past—all of which total up to one million. A colorful bunch of Arthurs comes from future to find and eliminate million of escaliburs and mend the history. Yes, it's just random nonsense stuff in here.   Overall Rating: 6/10   33. Double Decker! Doug & Kirill DOUBLE DECKER! ダグ＆キリル [Sunrise] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective Action, Comedy, Mystery, Sci-Fi The once peaceful city-state of Lisvalletta has found itself beset by a dangerous new drug called Anthem. The side effects of the drug allow the user to enter a state of Overdrive, wherein they mutate into superpowered beasts with inhuman abilities. With the police powerless to stop this new threat, the responsibility falls upon the Special Crime Investigation Unit SEVEN-O. To offset the dangers of this work, the investigators work under the patented "Double Decker" system, which requires them to team up in "buddy cop" pairs. As a child, average police officer Kirill Vrubel fantasized about being a hero who would save his school from a random terrorist attack. His chance to be a hero arrives when his landlady blackmails him into searching for her lost cat. Upon arriving and falling asleep in an abandoned warehouse, Kirill finds himself in the middle of a hostage situation involving an Anthem user. By teaming up with SEVEN-O detective Douglas "Doug" Bilingam, Kirill earns his spot as the newest member of SEVEN-O. Now, with the help of this secret organization, he may finally achieve his dream of becoming a hero. In the end of the day it's just eccentric action detective - not my thing even though there are some Tiger and Bunny things implemented here.   Overall Rating: 6/10   34. Akanesasu Shoujo The Girl in Twilight あかねさす少女 [DandeLion Animation Studio, Jumonji, Okuruto Noboru] (Finished 12/12) Tags: School Action, Sci-Fi  The urban legend of the 4:44 ritual consists of using a radio player to produce frequencies in front of the Akeyuki Sacred Tree at exactly 4:44, transporting people to a different dimension. When Asuka Tsuchimiya and her friends—Nana Nanase, Mia Silverstone, Yuu Tounaka, and Chloe Morisu—decide to perform this ritual as an activity of the Crystal Radio Research Club, they are shocked when the ritual works. The five travel to a parallel world, known as a fragment, where they meet an unsettlingly familiar girl—Asuka's parallel-world self. This Asuka is dubbed as Seriouska due to her serious attitude and capability to fight. Seriouska tells them about the great danger that faces all the parallel worlds, the Twilight. As it strips the parallel worlds of all of its possibilities, Seriouska seeks the death of the man behind the Twilight, the Twilight King, to stop his onslaught over the multiverse. Akanesasu Shoujo follows the five girls as they learn to accept their true selves, all the while searching for the Twilight King. However, the solution to the invasive Twilight might be closer than they think. It's stories of several girls, but so artificially emotional and abstract that no kind of interest or empathy arises towards it. No integrity or coherent plot in it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   35. Merc Storia: Mukiryoku no Shounen to Bin no Naka no Shoujo Merc Storia: The Apathetic Boy and the Girl in a Bottle メルクストーリア -無気力少年と瓶の中の少女- [Encourage Films] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy Encourage Films Merc Storia takes places in a world where humans and monsters coexist. The protagonist, Yuu, is a healer apprentice and possesses the ability to tame monsters. In a quest to regain the memories of Merc, a girl confined in a bottle, the pair embarks on a journey. Just a boring fantasy journey with some helping on the way. More suitable for kids than adults.   Overall Rating: 6/10   36. Ingress the Animation  [Craftar Studios] (Finished 3/11) Tags: Strategy Game Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi  A project was launched where scientists discovered a mysterious substance that can interface directly with the human brain. This substance, called "Exotic Matter (XM)," has existed since ancient times, influencing human minds and the progress of humanity. In the wake of this discovery, a battle of powerful nations and corporate giants has been unleashed. Organizations across the globe have embarked on a secret race to exploit XM. It represents both an opportunity and a threat to humanity. Two Factions seeks to control the XM. The Enlightened view XM's power as a gift that enhances human experience and discovery. The Resistance sees XM as a hostile takeover of the human mind, choosing technology as humanity's best path forward. XM, and the mystery behind it lie at the center of this battle for the fate of humanity. 2018—Now, a new struggle is about to unfold in Tokyo and across the globe. Dangerous and powerful forces seeking to exploit the potential of XM will collide. This groundbreaking project will mark the beginning of an epic augmented-reality experience combining the three elements of animation, location-based gaming, and the real world. Stylized full CGI. It's based on probably the first enhanced reality game, so plot is really underwhelming.   Overall Rating: 6/10   37. Bakumatsu  [Studio Deen] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Historical, Samurai, Time Travel Action The Bakumatsu was an era in which the souls of young men burned with anxiety for their country's future. Takasugi Shinsaku, a soldier of fortune from Choshu, sneaks aboard a government ship with his comrade Katsura Kogorou in search of a mysterious "timepiece" with the power to manipulate time that he fears the government wishes to keep for themselves. Rather than allow such power to fall into the wrong hands, Takasugi plans to destroy the artifact, but having obtained it, the artifact is quickly stolen, forcing the pair to follow the mysterious thief to the seat of government in Kyoto. However, when they arrive in the capital, they discover that the government has been overthrown and the deity Susanoo now reigns in its place. The streets of the city and the people in them are much different than Takasugi and Katsura remembered. The times may have changed but their mission hasn't - Takasugi and Katsura resolve to reset time and save their nation from the nefarious forces trying to hijack it. Can be described as parody that makes feel worse than before watching it, disappointment.   Overall Rating: 5/10   38. Kitsune no Koe Voice of Fox 狐狸之声 [Yumeta Company] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Music  The series follows 16-year-old Hu Li, who dreams of becoming a popular singer. However, he has neither good looks nor the financial means to pursue his dream, so Hu uploads his singing online using a fox avatar. Male idols are pretty boring as theme for me, but this particular anime does not even have good songs to try to win over.   Overall Rating: 5/10   39. Sora to Umi no Aida Between the Sky and Sea ソラとウミのアイダ [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Space Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi  In the future in Onomichi, Hiroshima fish disappear from the sea around the world and only whales live in the ocean. The Ministry of Fishery decides to set up giant experimental Universe Fish Tanks in space. The Onomichi Universe Fishery Union is established and begins to train space fishermen. Female fishermen are in demand due to the strengthening of an equal employment law for men and women. Six new female space fishermen are selected, and the story centers on supporting their growth. There has not been a single good anime about fishing. This is no exception even though it tries to make a spokon from space fishing. And it does not even satisfy as CGDCT.   Overall Rating: 5/10   40. Gakuen Basara Gakuen Basara: Samurai High School 学園BASARA [Brain's Base] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Action, Comedy  A heated battle is once again revving up at Basara Academy between baseball star Masamune Date and soccer ace Yukimura Sanada. What's more, ever since student council chairman Hideyoshi Toyotomi received a suspension, leaving the seat up for grabs, a host of class "warlords" have become embroiled in a quest for supreme power. Amid Ieyasu Tokugawa's appeals to bonds of kinship and Mitsunari Ishida's fervor to defeat him, who will wrest ultimate control of the domain in "troubled" times? Fanservice spin-off.   Overall Rating: 5/10   41. Himote House HIMOTE HOUSE: A share house of super psychic girls ひもてはうす [Bouncy] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Super Power Comedy  The comedy anime centers on five girls and one cat all living as housemates in Nakano, Tokyo: the three Himote sisters (Tokiyo, Kinami, and Kokoro) whose family manages the "Himote House," Kokoro's classmates Tae and Minamo, and the cat Enishi. The girls live their daily lives trying to figure out ways to be popular, and they (and the cat) all possess a mysterious secret power... Full CGI short nonsense talks without any redeeming features.   Overall Rating: 5/10   42. Ken En Ken: Aoki Kagayaki Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary 軒轅剣・蒼き曜 [Studio Deen] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Martial Arts, Mythology Action, Adventure, Fantasy Yin and Ning are two sisters who have been wandering the land together ever since their village was destroyed by the villainous Taibai Empire. Their childhood friend, Zhao, has been enslaved by the Taibai himself, and uses his brilliance at tinkering and inventing to get by as a slave to the Empire's whims. One day, Yin accidentally discovers a legendary sword, which grants her fantastic abilities in combat, and allows her to summon a mystical, mechanical fox spirit named Yun, who is sworn to fight by her side. Meanwhile, Zhao is making fast friends with a mysterious young girl who just may hold a great amount of power within the Taibai Empire. As Zhao and the Fu sisters find themselves increasingly caught up in the Empire's battle for supremacy over the land, it will take all of the magic and might that the budding resistance armies can muster to turn the tide of war once and for all. Surprisingly good. Story is nothing great, just action love square, but world of constructs and magic alongside decent characters make up for it. Also quite many unexpected plot moves.   Overall Rating: 7/10   43. Hashiri Tsuzukete Yokatta tte. I'm glad I could keep running. 走り続けてよかったって。 [Signal.MD] (Finished 4/4) Tags: Drama, Slice of Life Minato visits a recitation at an anime event with his friend. He is captivated by the voice actors' performances and decides to enroll in Suidoubashi Animation Academy. There, he meets Chikako, who used to live in the room he is moving into and who left a message in a USB drive. Minato, who aims to be a voice actor but is unable to put himself into the role, and Chikako, who lives with a past trauma, encourage one another and try to improve themselves. With the help of seniors such as Ryouta and Kei watching over them, they try to mature. As they stumble and worry, what lies ahead for them both? Light short male seiyuu story with a bit of romance flavor. Nice, but that's it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   44. Souten no Ken: Regenesis 2nd Season Fist of the Blue Sky: Regenesis 2nd Season 蒼天の拳 REGENESIS 第2期 [Polygon Pictures] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Historical, Martial Arts Action Second season of Souten no Ken: Regenesis. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   45. Devidol! でびどる！ [-] (Finished 1/11) Tags: Comedy  Three devil girls Aira, Shima, and Hana live in the human world. Leading a dazzling school life with efforts and friendships, they aim to be idols. It's a heart-bumping anime climbing that stairs... Not! They don't know the answer to "What is Idol?" and weaver in the road to becoming an idol with trials and errors. Rocket-sensei will kindly (and sometimes strictly) lead them to become real idols in an unique way... for sure. Habitual CGI vtuber nonsense talk.   Overall Rating: 5/10   46. Balala Xiao Mo Xian: Mofa Hai Ying Bao Balala the Fairies: Ocean Magic 巴啦啦小魔仙之: 魔法海萤堡 [Alpha Group Co. Ltd.] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Comedy, Fantasy In the magical underwater world, there is a mysterious and charming place called Hai Ying Bao. When human girls Ling Haijun and Xia Fan accidentally met the Princess of the Icy Blue City, Nahiya, they transform from ordinary girls into magic fairies. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   47. Aerover: Pinigseuui Buhwal Aerover: Rebirth Of the Phoenix 에어로버: 피닉스의 부활 [-] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Action, Comedy, Sports  Second season of Aerover series. Sequel. Not translated. Ugly CGI shounen for kids.   Overall Rating: 4/10   48. Quanzhi Fashi III Full-Time Magister 3rd Season 全职法师Ⅲ [Foch Films] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Action, Fantasy After the crisis brought forth by the Black Order, Bo City's surviving residents desert the place. With nearby cities providing shelter to the displaced refugees, Mo Fan and his family accept the offer and travel to Mingzhu City, the capital of magic. Mo Fan has little time to settle in when his teacher Tang Yue requests him to assist her with an investigation involving the Black Order. However, Mo Fan agrees only on the condition of having a dark element awakened in him. As he steadily attunes to his newfound powers, Mo Fan prepares to enroll at Mingzhu University, a dream place for all magicians. Along the way, Mo Fan's interactions with the elements steadily surpass his expectations, showing him that this is only the beginning of discoveries within his limitless potential. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   49. Tong Ling Fei Psychic Princess 通灵妃 [Haoliners Animation League] (Finished 1/16) Tags: Historical Comedy, Drama, Romance  When Qian Yunshang's marriage to Ye Youming is arranged by the emperor, she is terrified that the bad blood between their families will lead to her being treated miserably in the Ye household. Torn between duty and concern for his daughter, Qian Aotian devises a reckless plan. He summons his firstborn daughter—her existence unknown to all but his own family—to be the stand-in for her younger sister. Due to her unusual powers, Qian Yun Xi was exiled by her family when she was a child. Deprived of filial affection, she made a life of her own amid the wilderness on Mt. Ling Yun. However, everything begins to change when she marries Ye Youming in her sister's stead. Harboring immense contempt for the family of Qian, Ye Youming refuses to acknowledge Qian Yun Xi as his wife and treats her coldly, going so far as to banish her from his palace grounds. But he can only resist her childlike charm and boldness for so long... Comedy seems to be more or less fine, but I can't take ghosts and traditional Chinese environment for a theme, so refusing to watch it further. Plus, main heroine is a really irritating simpleton.   Overall Rating: 5/10   50. Hero Mask ヒーローマスク [Pierrot] (Finished 3/15) Tags: Detective Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi Now there's a mysterious Mask before James Blood, and the man behind it is one that shouldn't exist. What is the mystery surrounding this mask...? So begins an action-packed crime story set in a beautiful city! Rather average detective mystery action, at least not really thrilling or engaging. Typical Netflix.   Overall Rating: 5/10   51. Meng Qi Shi Shen Cinderella Chef 萌妻食神 [Wawayu Animation] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Historical, Time Travel Comedy, Drama, Gourmet, Romance Ye Jiayao is a young and talented cook who dreams of becoming a renowned chef one day. As luck would have it, she's magically transported back in time to Imperial China, and in the body of an extremely useless girl. Ye Jiayao is immediately kidnapped and held for ransom, but she manages to use her wits (and her sense of humor) to get whatever she wants. Gourmet time travel meta with Chinese flavor. Pretty much the same essence as in Psychic Princess.   Overall Rating: 5/10   52. Wo Shi Jiang Xiaobai 2nd Season I'm Joybo 2nd Season 我是江小白 第二季 [2:10 AM Animation] (Finished 6/12) Tags: Music Drama, Romance, Slice of Life After coming to terms with their past, Jiang Xiaobai and Tong Li are still together as editor and author—and now, as lovers too. But not everything is smooth-sailing for the new couple. Tong Li's most recent work is being panned by readers and critics, and Wen Zheng Magazine's recent decline in sales means that her serialization is in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Jiang Xiaobai, fondly remembering making music with his friends in high school, steps in as the backup bassist for a local band struggling to make their break. Secretly, Tong Li is frustrated both by her writer's block and by Jiang Xiaobai venturing out to chase his old dream. Things come to a head when, following the replacement of the head editor for Editorial Office No. 2, her novel is canceled. As she and Jiang Xiaobai grow estranged and as her family increasingly meddles in their already-strained relationship, Tong Li wanders into a welfare center for autistic people, where she meets a young non-verbal man whose piano playing deeply moves her. She begins to volunteer at the welfare center, not realizing that her and Jiang Xiaobai's worlds are much closer than she thought. Not translated unless we count Spanish subs. And from what I see the magic is gone. It used to be short bright episodes with great music. Now it's conventional length episodes SOL, suddenly about a music band out of the blue. Chinese normal SOL anime is so rare that it still has its merits as one, just not as a masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 6/10   53. Mao Yao de Huo Han Love Story of Cat Spirit 猫妖的诱惑 [Rocen] (Finished 1/20) Tags: Reincarnation Fantasy, Romance A cat demon with a split personality is reincarnated with the memories of her past life. She wishes revenge on her lover from her past life, but upon meeting him finds herself falling all over for him again. What should she do?! A female main character with no sense of moral principles, between an arrogant, abstinent man and the charming, indifferent demon king, who will she choose! Full CGI. Another hectic girl and cold man with ties to ancient China again. Not much conceptual difference with Psychic princess again.   Overall Rating: 5/10   54. Shan He She Ji Tu 山河社稷图 [Tencent Animation & Comics, bilibili] (Finished 1/20) Tags: School Adventure, Fantasy, Supernatural If you could change the world, what would you do? And if you had the chance to change your life, would you? There are two worlds that exist: reality; and a world that you think is reality. Da Wei is a young man who doesn’t care about anyone or anything aside from himself. However, when he finds out that his entire world is nothing more than an illusion and what’s more, it’s on the brink of collapse, will he make the decision to involve himself for the first time in something for the sake of others? Not translated. Full CGI for the most part. Illusory real world. Real fantasy world stylized for ancient China. MC of insect size. Gangster kid as if from reborn. Horrible characters and their antics. That's as far as I'm willing to investigate this load of nonsense, really.   Overall Rating: 5/10   55. Mutafukaz MFKZ M★F★K★Z [Studio 4°C, Ankama Animations] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Psychological, Super Power Action, Sci-Fi After a scooter accident provoked by a mysterious woman's vision, Angelino, a deadbeat like thousands of others in Dark Meat City, starts getting violent migraines that are accompanied by strange hallucinations. Along with his good buddy Vinz, he tries to figure out what's happening to him while threatening men in black seem determined to catch him. The concept is just running away. It's good action in picturesque suburbs world akin to GTA, but there's not enough meaning in all that to be called a masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 6/10   56. Koukyoushihen Eureka Seven Hi-Evolution 2: Anemone Anemone: Eureka Seven Hi-Evolution ANEMONE／交響詩篇エウレカセブン ハイエボリューション [Bones] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mecha Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi The film centers on Anemone, a girl who lost her father in a battle in Toyko seven years prior to the film's story, leaving her with only her stuffed toy Gulliver, and the AI concierge Dominikids for emotional support. Now she is a key part of a strategy by the experimental unit "Acid" to combat the seventh Eureka, "Eureka Seven," an enemy of humanity that has killed 2.6 billion people. Driven to the brink, all of humanity entrusts its hope to Anemone as she dives deep into the interior of Eureka Seven. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   57. Zuori Qing Kong Crystal Sky of Yesterday 昨日青空 [Nice Boat Animation, Guton Animation Studio] (Finished 1/1) Tags: School Drama, Romance, Slice of Life In the late 90's, in China, Tu Xiaoyi, an high school student, takes no interest in marks and prefers to play video games with his friend nicknamed "Peanut." One day, he was chosen by his teacher to become the class representative with Yao Zhetian, a very cute girl. He will experience his first love and disappointments. Good youth nostalgy movie, but it does not really stand out, so definitely not must have or anything. It's more like proof of concept that Chinse anime can be indistinguishable from Japanese anime - and it definitely succeeds in it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   58. Uchuu no Hou: Reimei-hen 宇宙の法-黎明編- [HS Pictures Studio] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Space Sci-Fi University students, Ray, Anna, Tyler, Halle, and Eisuke are enjoying college life and pursuing their dreams, but in reality, They have a secret mission, to fight against invading Reptilians from outer space. One day, Ray travels back in time to 330 million years ago on Earth, to find his missing friend Tyler who has fallen into a trap set by the evil alien, Dahar. During that time, Alpha, the God of the Earth, was planning to create a new civilization on Earth and invited Queen Zamza and her fellow Reptilian from the planet Zeta, to Earth. What is the intention of Dahar? What will happen to Ray and Tyler? And what is “the plan of the God of the Earth"? Happy science movies suck big time on so many levels.   Overall Rating: 5/10   59. Munyeodo The Shaman Sorceress 무녀도 [Studio Meditation With a Pencil] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Drama  Mohwa, who lives with her deaf daughter Nang-Yi, has been practicing Shamanism her entire life. One day, her son Wook-Yi returns home but as a converted Christian. This sparks conflict between mother and son which ends in a terrible tragedy that leads Nang-Yi to create a mysterious painting. Full version not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   60. Jangmiyeogwan Motel Rose 장미여관 [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Idols (Female) Slice of Life In the city lies a red light district, and the Rose Motel. Student Mina is hired as a cleaner and meets a young sex worker, Hannah, known to regulars as Rose, whose dream is to become a super star, just like her idol, the "real" Rose. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10
  25. kivandopulus

    VN of the Month March 2024

    By kivandopulus,


    VN of the Month 2024
    Just three titles if don't count android exclusive and two fandiscs   1. Macau Midnight Madness マカオ夜中の熱狂 [240321] Ume Softworks Things are not going well for poor Mikayla. She was once a big tennis star, winning championships all over the world. Then one day, the magic left her, and she stopped winning games. Fast forward to the present day and Mikayla is now a tennis instructor for a posh country club outside London. Mikayla’s personal life isn’t going to well either. She and her wife have been fighting a lot and now her wife has asked for a divorce. Poor Mikayla is super depressed but then an opportunity of a lifetime presents itself. She is invited to play some exhibition games in Macau and there, she meets some lovely ladies, one of whom might become the love of her life. “Macau Midnight Madness” is a Romantic Comedy Yuri Visual Novel and Dating Sim. Play as Mikayla as she goes to Macau to take part in a tennis exhibition game and ends up finding the woman of her dreams along the way. Girls love dating SIM.   2. Delusional Mystery Adventure: Ultimate Jumbo Jet Murder Case 妄想推理アドベンチャー　アルティメットジャンボジェット殺人事件  [240314] CyberStep, Inc. The five ARUJAN members participate in a real-life werewolf game held on a luxurious airship soaring through the skies. "You" are one of the viewers tuning in to the exciting livestream. The members engage in a thrilling showdown, and seemed like the game would safely conclude with great excitement. But..... "■■■■■ is dead." As the stream ends, "You" start fantasizing about the truth to the death based on the clues found during the livestream. What possible end will "You" and the five ARUJAN members reach?" Not a fan of closed space murders mystery investigation games.   3. Unravel trigger  アンラベル・トリガー  [240329] Archive Within the buffer zone between the Karji Federation and the Willkar Empire, lies the Frost Special Neutral Zone. Despite being a successful tourist destination, due to the immigration of various races, it has become a place of endless incidents and conflicts as well. Working as a detective for the Trigger Detective Agency, which is located within the Special Neutral Zone, is the protagonist Sakaki Kai. He is searching for someone who went missing during the last war, his childhood friend Yuzuriha Saina―― Even though Saina has been seen several times in the area, he is still unable to trace her steps. Meanwhile, on a hill overlooking the city, he meets a girl named Milli, reaching her hand towards the sky. Just like Saina, lamenting the world full of constant conflicts, Milli wishes for peace. And with this chance encounter, the fates of Kai, the Special Neutral Zone, and the world, are about to change drastically. A story of overcoming the lost past and moving on to the future―― Here, it begins. Complex world and realistic characters overshadow its minor flaws like some repeated lines and some similar characters.   
×
×
  • Create New...