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kivandopulus

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  1. kivandopulus
    Jormungand happens to be my only favorite this season.   1. Hyouka 氷菓 [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 3/22) Tags: School Mystery, Slice of Life High school freshman Houtarou Oreki has but one goal: to lead a gray life while conserving as much energy as he can. Unfortunately, his peaceful days come to an end when his older sister, Tomoe, forces him to save the memberless Classics Club from disbandment. Luckily, Oreki's predicament seems to be over when he heads to the clubroom and discovers that his fellow first-year, Eru Chitanda, has already become a member. However, despite his obligation being fulfilled, Oreki finds himself entangled by Chitanda's curious and bubbly personality, soon joining the club of his own volition. Hyouka follows the four members of the Classics Club—including Oreki's friends Satoshi Fukube and Mayaka Ibara—as they, driven by Chitanda's insatiable curiosity, solve the trivial yet intriguing mysteries that permeate their daily lives. Never heard of this title even though it's in top 100 popular titles on MAL. And it seems to be the first anime with the real protagonist - phlegmatic sarcastic guy with primary aim to conserve energy - just like me, so there's the appeal from the start. If I have to do something, I'd rather do it fast - another important life motto. But of course I was not aware of it because of mystery genre. Just first two episodes have three already - the lock , the book, the secret club. And third episode has two more... that's a bit too much for me to handle as it's counter-realistic, hardly encountered any mystery in my entire life.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Kuroko no Basket Kuroko's Basketball 黒子のバスケ [Production I.G] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen School, Team Sports For the last three years, Teikou Middle School has dominated the national basketball scene with its legendary lineup: the "Generation of Miracles." It consisted of five prodigies who excelled at the sport, but a "Phantom Sixth Man" lurked in the shadows and helped earn the team their revered status. Eventually, their monstrous growth jaded them from the sport they loved and made them go their separate ways in high school. In search of new members, the Seirin High School basketball team recruits Taiga Kagami and Tetsuya Kuroko, two freshmen who seem to have significant differences in abilities. Having returned recently from America, Kagami has both a natural aptitude and relentless love for the sport. Meanwhile, Kuroko lacks presence and exhibits no outstanding athletic talent. However, it is later revealed that he is Teikou's Phantom Sixth Man—the player once part of the Generation of Miracles. Kuroko wants to prove to the Seirin team that he is strong in his own way. Seeing his conviction, Kagami forms a dynamic partnership with Kuroko, the latter promising to support Kagami's "light" as his "shadow." Alongside their new Seirin teammates, they aim to conquer the upcoming Interhigh championship, but the reappearance of Kuroko's former teammates complicates their plan. The idea of supernatural powers in basketball is daunting... and bad...   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Fate/Zero 2nd Season Fate/Zero Season 2 フェイト/ゼロ 2ndシーズン [ufotable] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural  As the Fourth Holy Grail War rages on with no clear victor in sight, the remaining Servants and their Masters are called upon by Church supervisor Risei Kotomine, in order to band together and confront an impending threat that could unravel the Grail War and bring about the destruction of Fuyuki City. The uneasy truce soon collapses as Masters demonstrate that they will do anything in their power, no matter how despicable, to win. Seeds of doubt are sown between Kiritsugu Emiya and Saber, his Servant, as their conflicting ideologies on heroism and chivalry clash. Meanwhile, an ominous bond forms between Kirei Kotomine, who still seeks to find his purpose in life, and one of the remaining Servants. As the countdown to the end of the war reaches zero, the cost of winning begins to blur the line between victory and defeat. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Accel World アクセル・ワールド [Sunrise] (Finished 3/24) Tags: School, Video Game Action, Romance, Sci-Fi Haruyuki Arita is an overweight, bullied middle schooler who finds solace in playing online games. But his life takes a drastic turn one day, when he finds that all his high scores have been topped by Kuroyukihime, the popular vice president of the student council. She then invites him to the student lounge and introduces him to "Brain Burst," a program which allows the users to accelerate their brain waves to the point where time seems to stop. Brain Burst also functions as an augmented reality fighting game, and in order to get more points to accelerate, users must win duels against other players. However, if a user loses all their points, they will also lose access to Brain Burst forever. Kuroyukihime explains that she chose to show Haruyuki the program because she needs his help. She wants to meet the creator of Brain Burst and uncover the reason of why it was created, but that's easier said than done; to do so, she must defeat the "Six Kings of Pure Color," powerful faction leaders within the game, and reach level 10, the highest level attainable. After the girl helps Haruyuki overcome the bullies that torment him, he vows to help her realize her goal, and so begins the duo's fight to reach the top. I remember that I really wanted to like it, but inevitably dropped it for having nothing of interest for me. Rules are vague, competition is bland, story is a joke, and without a good core other elements can't pull it out.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Sankarea Sankarea: Undying Love さんかれあ [Studio Deen] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Comedy, Horror, Romance, Supernatural, Ecchi Ever since he was a child, zombie-obsessed Chihiro Furuya has wanted an undead girlfriend. Soon enough, his love for all things zombie comes in handy when his cat Baabu gets run over, prompting Chihiro to try to make a resurrection potion and bring him back to life. During his endeavor, he sees a rich girl named Rea Sanka yelling into an old well every day about her oppressive life. After meeting and bonding with her, Chihiro is convinced by Rea to persevere in saving Baabu. Eventually, he succeeds with the help of the poisonous hydrangea flowers from Rea's family garden. Unaware of the potion's success and seeking to escape the burdens of her life, Rea drinks the resurrection potion, mistakenly thinking she will die. Though it doesn't kill her, the effects still linger and her death from a fatal accident causes her to be reborn as a zombie. With help from Chihiro, Rea strives to adjust to her new—albeit undead—life. For a boy wanting a zombie girlfriend, this situation would seem like a dream come true. But in Sankarea, Chihiro's life becomes stranger than usual as he deals with Rea's odd new cravings and the unforeseen consequences of her transformation. This kind of synopsis is one big facepalm. Anime is both offensive and frustrating. Trash and waste of time.   Overall Rating: 5/10   6. Tasogare Otome x Amnesia Dusk Maiden of Amnesia 黄昏乙女×アムネジア [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen School Horror, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural Seikyou Private Academy, built on the intrigue of traditional occult myths, bears a dark past—for 60 years, it has been haunted by a ghost known as Yuuko, a young woman who mysteriously died in the basement of the old school building. With no memory of her life or death, Yuuko discreetly finds and heads the Paranormal Investigations Club in search of answers. A chance meeting leads Yuuko to cling to diligent freshman Teiichi Niiya, who can see the quirky ghost, they quickly grow close, and he decides to help her. Along with Kirie Kanoe, Yuuko's relative, and the oblivious second year Momoe Okonogi, they delve deep into the infamous Seven Mysteries of the storied school. Tasogare Otome x Amnesia tells a unique tale of students who work together to shed light on their school's paranormal happenings, all the while inching closer to the truth behind Yuuko's death. Supernatural mystery is the worst kind of mystery. Single episode is more than enough here for me.   Overall Rating: 5/10   7. Sakamichi no Apollon Kids on the Slope 坂道のアポロン [Tezuka Productions, MAPPA] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Josei Historical, Love Polygon, Music, School Drama, Romance Introverted classical pianist and top student Kaoru Nishimi has just arrived in Kyushu for his first year of high school. Having constantly moved from place to place since his childhood, he abandons all hope of fitting in, preparing himself for another lonely, meaningless year. That is, until he encounters the notorious delinquent Sentarou Kawabuchi. Sentarou's immeasurable love for jazz music inspires Kaoru to learn more about the genre, and as a result, he slowly starts to break out of his shell, making his very first friend. Kaoru begins playing the piano at after-school jazz sessions, located in the basement of fellow student Ritsuko Mukae's family-owned record shop. As he discovers the immense joy of using his musical talents to bring enjoyment to himself and others, Kaoru's summer might just crescendo into one that he will remember forever. Sakamichi no Apollon is a heartwarming story of friendship, music, and love that follows three unique individuals brought together by their mutual appreciation for jazz. Of course I dropped it before. Moreover, I've got a friend who is a fan of Shinichirou Watanabe and who likes almost everything from him... but not Sakamichi no Appollon. And of course I needed to watch it to the end now to poke that friend even more. And it only ended in countless screenshots of BL references that I had to go through with this horrible fujioshi anime. I just want it to be marked properly as BL.   Overall Rating: 5/10   8. Kore wa Zombie desu ka? of the Dead Is this A Zombie? of the Dead これはゾンビですか? OF THE DEAD [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Harem Action, Comedy, Supernatural, Ecchi Aikawa Ayumu was revived as a zombie by the cute necromancer Eucliwood Hellscythe. After the zany, madcap adventures in the first season of Is This a Zombie? ended, Ayumu thought his life might finally get back to normal, or as normal as it can be for a zombie. However, destiny has other plans for him. Some guys just can't catch a break. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Jormungand ヨルムンガンド [White Fox] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Organized Crime Action, Adventure Brought up in a conflict-ridden environment, child soldier Jonathan "Jonah" Mar hates weapons and those who deal them. But when Koko Hekmatyar, an international arms dealer, takes on Jonah as one of her bodyguards, he has little choice but to take up arms. Along with Koko's other bodyguards, composed mostly of former special-ops soldiers, Jonah is now tasked with protecting Koko and her overly idealistic goal of world peace from the countless dangers that come from her line of work. Jormungand follows Koko, Jonah, and the rest of crew as they travel the world selling weapons under the international shipping company HCLI. As Koko's work is illegal under international law, she is forced to constantly sidestep both local and international authorities while doing business with armies, private militaries, and militias. With the CIA always hot on her trail, and assassins around every corner, Jonah and the crew must guard Koko and her dream of world peace with their lives or die trying. I remember it well enough, and it definitely deserves a masterpiece, but it's more about action and less about story compared to Black Lagoon, so can't rate it too high.   Overall Rating: 7/10   10. Haiyore! Nyaruko-san Nyaruko: Crawling With Love! 這いよれ！ニャル子さん [Xebec] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Parody Comedy, Sci-Fi Mahiro Yasaka is just an ordinary high school student, until one day he is suddenly attacked by a dangerous monster. Just when everything seems to be lost, he is saved by a silver-haired girl named Nyaruko, who claims to be the shape-shifting deity Nyarlathotep from horror author H. P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos, sent by the Space Defense Agency to Earth. She explains to Mahiro that the creature chasing him was an alien called Nightgaunt, who had planned on abducting and selling him as a slave. After rescuing him from the alien, the Lovecraftian deity falls madly in love with Mahiro and forces herself into his household, much to his chagrin. Moreover, they are soon joined by two others from the fictional universe: Cthuko, a girl obsessed with Nyaruko, and Hasuta, a young boy easily mistaken for a beautiful female. Together, the three eccentric aliens protect Mahiro from the various extraterrestrial dangers that threaten both his and Earth's well-being, all the while making his life a living hell. Not with this amount of absurd and nonsense.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Acchi Kocchi Place to Place あっちこっち [AIC] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Gag Humor, School Comedy, Romance Feelings may come and go, but true love always remains in the heart. Tsumiki Miniwa is in love with her best friend, Io Otonashi. For her, confessing is nearly impossible; but to her friends, they seem to be the perfect match. Cute and petite, Tsumiki comes off more as a friend, and Io's attitude toward her is friendlier than toward others. Despite the constant teasing and obvious hints that his friends have been dropping, Io always seems to miss the signs. Throughout her everyday school life, Tsumiki spends time with her friends and Io. Will she finally muster enough courage to confess her true feelings? Remember watching it, but with episodic humor and not outstanding characters dumping was inevitable.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Nazo no Kanojo X Mysterious Girlfriend X 謎の彼女X [Hoods Entertainment] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Seinen School Romance First encounters are always memorable because regardless of the outcome, new experiences are sure to happen. For Akira Tsubaki, a young boy who knows next to nothing about girls, and new transfer student Mikoto Urabe, a mysterious girl who wears a cold facade, their first encounter takes a turn for the romantic. Through a series of strange events, Tsubaki suddenly falls in love with Urabe, and together they develop a curious bond. Thus begins the romance and mystery of Urabe, a girl who seems to have a unique way of expressing her emotions. The start was shocking... and sort of disgusting. Anyway, not finding it appealing in any way. Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Medaka Box めだかボックス  [Gainax] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Martial Arts, School, Super Power Action, Comedy, Ecchi Medaka Kurokami is, in the truest sense of the word, perfect. Beautiful, intelligent, and athletic, Medaka's dream is to make others happy. So when she runs for Student Council President of the prestigious Hakoniwa Academy, winning the election with 98% of the votes is only to be expected. The very first thing the boisterous new president does is set up the "Medaka Box," a suggestion box allowing students to submit any kind of request for assistance. Together with the cynical Zenkichi Hitoyoshi, her childhood friend who has been strong-armed into helping, Medaka fulfills these requests at a ridiculous rate. For every job completed, she adds flowers to the student council room, with the aim of filling the entire school. However, the two are about to find out that helping others may be a lot harder than they think as they begin to uncover a devastating plan centering on the academy and even Medaka herself! Medaka is clearly lower quality version of Haruhi. More humor, more fanservice, more help to students, but less conceptual and varied and having less protagonists.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Uchuu Kyoudai 宇宙兄弟 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/99) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Space, Workplace Comedy, Sci-Fi On a fateful summer night in 2006, Mutta Nanba and his younger brother Hibito witness what they believe to be a UFO flying toward the Moon. This impressing and unusual phenomenon leads both siblings vowing to become astronauts, with Hibito aiming for the Moon and Mutta, convinced that the eldest brother has to be one step ahead, for Mars. Now an adult, life hasn't turned out how Mutta had pictured it: he is diligently working in an automotive company, whereas Hibito is on his way to be the very first Japanese man to step on the Moon. However, after losing his job, Mutta is presented with an unexpected opportunity to catch up to his younger brother when the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, commonly known as JAXA, accepts his application to participate in the next astronaut selection. Despite self-doubts about his prospects, Mutta is unwilling to waste this chance of a lifetime, and thus embarks on an ambitious journey to fulfill the promise made 19 years ago. I consider space romanticism to just useless, but actually quite harmful, and the references also offensive, so this anime is definitely not for me. But also if anime lasts for 100 episodes it either means that it's super saturated with events or totally opposite - that show is lost any direction and just holds for characters doing whatever. And I see Uchuu Kyoudai as clearly the second type.   Overall Rating: 5/10   15. Tsuritama つり球 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Comedy, Sci-Fi  Saving the world... by fishing? Yuki Sanada has always felt like a fish out of water. Socially awkward and anxious, he struggles to fit in with his surroundings and moves from town to town with his grandma. As he and his grandma settle into the charming seaside town of Enoshima, Yuki hopes for a fresh start. However, his reputation at school is jeopardized by the arrival of fellow transfer student Haru. The eccentric Haru immediately makes a splash, wildly claiming to be an alien and declaring that Yuki is his friend. Pairing the reluctant Yuki with their classmate and fishing talent, Natsuki Usami, he tasks both of them with the absurd mission of saving the world from a mysterious threat in the ocean. Mischief and hijinks ensue, as these three embark on a whimsical adventure filled with laughs, heart, and self-discovery! Fishing? Seriously? Super niche bore.    Overall Rating: 5/10   16. Zetman ゼットマン [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Gore Action, Drama, Horror, Romance, Sci-Fi, Supernatural The story starts off with a face-off between two rival heroes, ZET and ALPHAS, and then traces their origins - Jin Kanzaki, a young man with the ability to transform into a superhuman being known as ZET, and Kouga Amagi, a young man with a strong sense of justice who uses technology to fight as ALPHAS. The fates of these two men and those around them intertwine as they fight to protect mankind and destroy monstrous abominations known as Players. I'm not a fan of serious superheroes with superpowers. I'm not happy with how it starts at all... very cheap emotions and characters.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Eureka Seven AO エウレカセブンAO [Bones] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Mecha Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi The story is set on Okinawa's isolated island of Iwado, which has seen a growing movement advocating a return to an autonomous government. Ao Fukai, a 12-year-old boy with a missing father, lives on the island with an old doctor named Toshio and is about to enter middle school. Ao's mother was taken away a decade ago by unknown individuals. Naru Arata, Ao's 12-year-old childhood friend and the story's heroine, lives with her father, older sister, and grandmother. She has a "Yuta" power awakened within her due to an incident when she was young. A mysterious entity called "Secret" suddenly appears and launches an attack on the Scub Coral lifeform on the island. Ao launches a certain military FP called "Nirvash" aboard a Japanese military transport in his fervent desire to protect the island. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Naruto SD: Rock Lee no Seishun Full-Power Ninden Naruto Spin-Off: Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals ナルトSD ロック・リーの青春フルパワー忍伝 [Pierrot] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Shounen Parody Action, Comedy The competitive shinobi world has proven to be challenging for Rock Lee, who lacks the typically required abilities. To compensate for this handicap, the young ninja tenaciously endures severe training to hone his hand-to-hand combat skills. Whenever necessary, he also resorts to creative fighting techniques. With the constant support of his teammates Neji Hyuuga and Tenten, Lee readily embraces daring adventures as opportunities to advance on his path toward excellence. Crude unfunny mess.   Overall Rating: 5/10   19. Shirokuma Cafe Polar Bear Cafe しろくまカフェ [Pierrot] (Finished 1/50) Tags: Josei Anthropomorphic, Gag Humor, Iyashikei, Workplace Comedy, Slice of Life Situated near the local zoo and owned by the charismatic polar bear Shirokuma, Shirokuma Cafe is a popular spot for animals and humans alike, allowing them to sit back and relax after a hard day of work. Whether it's a cold beverage or the latest item on his menu, Shirokuma finds joy in being able to serve his customers, often striking up conversations about various subjects. Together with the sarcastic Penguin and the clumsy Panda, they form an odd trio who get themselves caught up in all sorts of misadventures with their other friends such as Grizzly, a bar owner, and Sasako, a human who works at the cafe. From dealing with unrequited love, outdoor camping trips, karaoke sessions, and even the secret to brewing delicious coffee, there's always something bound to be happening in Shirokuma Cafe! Episodic SOL with characters I don't like. Simple and entertaining to kill time, but time is too valuable to be killed.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Kimi to Boku. 2 You and Me 2 君と僕。2 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shounen Iyashikei, School Comedy, Drama, Romance, Slice of Life "No matter how many years go by, I'm sure we'll still be laughing together." Twins Yuta and Yuki, Kaname, and Shun have been childhood friends since kindergarten. When transfer student Chizuru joins them, their five man school life becomes all the more lively. Through the changing seasons, the boys will find laughter, surprises, love, and new encounters waiting for them. The second season of the boys growing a little every day of their invaluable daily lives is about to begin! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   21. Lupin the Third: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine LUPIN the Third ～峰不二子という女～  [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Samurai Action, Adventure, Award Winning, Comedy, Ecchi Many people are falling prey to a suspicious new religion. Lupin III infiltrates this group, hoping to steal the treasure their leader keeps hidden. There he lays eyes on the beautiful, bewitching woman who has the leader enthralled. This is the story of how fashionable female thief Fujiko Mine first met Lupin III, the greatest thief of his generation. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. AKB0048  [Satelight] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Sci-Fi  After an interplanetary war at the beginning of the 21st century, planet Earth has been left in ruins, with much of its ecosystem completely destroyed. Because it was no longer possible to live a normal life on this planet, the inhabitants are forced to move on to other planets where life will, hopefully, be more comfortable. The Deep Galactic Trade Organization, a totalitarian government that affects many of the newly inhabited planets, has somehow come to the conclusion that music is a source of evil, and that it must be banned and destroyed for good. The talent group AKB0048 is soon formed, based on the original AKB48 members that once lived on Earth. Even though their music is now considered universally illegal, they make it their mission to bring their music back to life by travelling from one planet to another and holding as many concerts as they possibly can. They must undergo a whole new set of training methods in order to become the best that they can possibly be, while also avoiding the constant danger of being arrested because of their music. Join interplanetary popstars AKB0048 as they try to save the world－with music! First time seeing such a long advertisement. It's just primitive and with ridiculous forced conflict.   Overall Rating: 5/10   23. Inazuma Eleven Go: Chrono Stone イナズマイレブンGO クロノ・ストーン [OLM] (Finished 1/51)   Tags: Super Power, Team Sports, Time Travel Sports Inazuma Eleven Go: Chrono Stone is set after the Holy Road Soccer Tournament. The hero of of the moment, Tenma Matsukaze, traveled all over Japan to teach soccer to kids. He returns to Raimon Junior High School after completing his mission, but to his surprise, it's no longer the same Raimon Junior High that he remembers. The soccer club is non-existent, and the members of the champion team in the Holy Road Soccer Tournament have no recollection of taking part in the tournament. They neither remember Tenma nor the game of soccer they loved. As Tenma is baffled by this twist, Alpha, the leader of the Route Agents and captain of Protocol Omega team, suddenly appears before him. Alpha declares that he and his team are responsible for wiping out passion for soccer in Raimon along with the memories of the soccer club members: and Tenma himself is next. That's when a strange boy named Fei Rune appears just in time to save him. Just who is Fei, and why does Alpha want to eliminate soccer for good? Tenma knows that he needs to do everything in his power to emerge victorious. It's a battle that could seal the fate of soccer forever. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   24. Saint Seiya Omega 聖闘士星矢Ω [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/97) Tags: Shounen Mythology Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi The god of war and guardian of his namesake planet, Mars, was once sealed away by Seiya, but time has passed and his revival is at hand. Meanwhile, Saori Kido (Athena) is raising the boy Kouga, whose life Seiya saved, and he's been training every day to become a Saint in order to prepare for the coming crisis... Unaware of his destiny, when Kouga awakens to the power of his Cosmo hidden inside him, the curtain will rise upon the legend of a new Saint. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   25. Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle - Orpheus Order-hen Phi-Brain ~ Puzzle of God: The Orpheus Order ファイ・ブレイン ～神のパズル オルペウス・オーダー編 [Sunrise] (Finished 1/25) Tags: High Stakes Game, Strategy Game Action, Mystery The puzzles get tougher and even more deadly as Kaito Daimon continues his battle against the power hungry Givers of the POG. And with one team member already switching sides, will Kaito have what it takes to keep solving the deadly puzzle traps put before him and reach the fabled Puzzle of God? More importantly, will he be able to solve the puzzles AND maintain his sanity? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Shining Hearts: Shiawase no Pan シャイニング・ハーツ 〜幸せのパン〜 [Production I.G] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Isekai, Workplace Action, Fantasy, Gourmet One day, a mysterious girl named Kaguya was washed ashore the island of Wyndaria after a great storm. She encounters Rick, a swordsman who wound up working at the island's bakery. Apparently, Kaguya is suffering from having lost her memories and emotions. In addition, the usually peaceful Wyndaria is now swarming with pirates who came seeking for the special spirit stone that is worn around Kaguya's neck. Knowing the situation, Rick and his co-workers, Nellis, Amyl, and Aerie decided to bring back peace to island and help Kaguya regain her lost memories and emotions. Both game and anime about bread in fantasy world are dead boring.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Natsu-iro Kiseki A Summer-Colored Miracle 夏色キセキ [Sunrise] (Finished 12/12) Tags: School Slice of Life, Supernatural  Throughout life, people come and go, eventually departing with a goodbye. For childhood friends Natsumi Aizawa, Yuka Hanaki, and Rinko Tamaki, they are confronted with this harsh reality when they are told their group's fourth member, Saki Mizukoshi, is moving away at the end of summer. With this news threatening their friendship, the four girls seek out a magic stone from local folklore—hoping to use its rumored wish-granting powers to keep them together. After following the steps of the supposed legend, they are surprised to discover that the magic is real. While the summer's end looms over the horizon, Natsumi and the others use the stone to ensure they have no lingering regrets until the end. But regardless of what the future might bring, these four friends will never forget the colorful miracles they experience during what could be their final summer together. Guess Sunrise wanted a lump of the sentimental drama that got quite some attention lately. I definitely watched it before, but, in contrast to other titles, this one was not memorable enough and story was not complex enough.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Queen's Blade: Rebellion クイーンズブレイド リベリオン [Arms] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Ecchi Power corrupts, and it when it appears that the once noble Queen Claudette's ways have turned to oppression and heretical persecution, it's up to a new generation of warriors to step up to the plate armor to bear arms and bare their naked fury in open rebellion! The odds may seem unfairly stacked in favor of the Amazonian ranks of the queen, doubly supported by her power of writ and assassins. But the incredible wits and assets of the dazzling array of daring damsels willing to risk their gorgeous skins and put their lithesome bodies on line against her, might just expose a few unexpected weaknesses in the queen's support! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Saki Achiga-hen: Episode of Side-A Saki Episode of Side A [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School, Strategy Game Slice of Life The Achiga Girls' Academy in Nara once defeated regional mahjong powerhouse Bansei High School. It advanced into the national team semifinals but lost to the eventual champion, and the mahjong club was later disbanded. Six years later, elementary school student Shizuno Takakamo befriends transfer student Nodoka Haramura. The two eventually enter Achiga Girls', but Nodoka transfers out of the school in the second year. When Shizuno sees Nodoka on television the following year as the national middle school individual mahjong champion, she decides to revive Achiga's mahjong club. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   30. Ginga e Kickoff!! Victory Kickoff!! 銀河へキックオフ!! [TYO Animations] (Finished 1/39) Tags: Team Sports The story follows a boy who was in a soccer team, but it was disbanded due to not enough players. However, after the boy meets a female professional soccer player, he aims to bring his soccer team back. Another eternally long spokon, this time with comedy.   Overall Rating: 6/10   31. Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199 Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2199 宇宙戦艦ヤマト2199 [Xebec, AIC] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Adult Cast, Military, Space Action, Drama, Sci-Fi Earth's once green hills and rich blue oceans have been converted into a desolate wasteland by the relentless onslaught of planet bombs from the expansionist Gamilas Empire. By the year 2199, humankind has retreated to the depths of underground cities to escape the radiation. However, all hope is not lost, as the distant planet Iscandar offers Earth its final salvation: the Cosmo Reverse System, capable of restoring Earth's irradiated surface. In a desperate bid to retrieve this technology from Iscandar, the Earth Defense Force pours its remaining resources into the Yamato—an innovative, state-of-the-art battleship equipped with an infinite energy Wave Motion Engine. From young talent such as Tactical Officer Susumu Kodai to accomplished veterans like Captain Juuzou Okita, the Yamato's crew consists of many individuals, all varying in their experience on the battlefield. But despite their differences, one goal unifies them all: to complete their perilous 168,000 light-year voyage to Iscandar and save humanity from imminent doom. Can't deny that old version has dated looks, and character designs have changed for the better in the remake. I really don't want to watch it all anew, but I mostly like what I see in pilot episode except some details like singing suicide song etc.   Overall Rating: 6/10   32. Shinken Seminar Koukou Kouza 進研ゼミ高校講座 [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Shounen School Following their intense battle in the national tournament, Team Q4 disbands, with everyone returning to their regular lives. While paying a visit to Card Capital, Aichi Sendou notices an unfamiliar customer in the shop. After teaching the secretive boy about Cardfight Vanguard, he realizes that his usual deck has become entirely different. Although it contains a variety of units Aichi has never seen before, everyone insists that the cards are the same ones that he has always been using. Moreover, the strange boy disappears without a trace, leaving Aichi further puzzled. As Aichi gets accustomed to the new bizarre deck, he aims to unravel the mystery behind the incident and the peculiar boy. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   33. Sengoku Collection 戦国コレクション  [Brain's Base] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Parody, Samurai Fantasy Sengoku Collection revolves around many samurai who are accidentally removed from a parallel universe inhabited by well-known historic characters. Unlike the historical war period known to us, all inhabitants in this unique world look like high school girls. Coming from the medieval era and finding themselves totally amazed by everything they encounter in modern day Tokyo, the girls become best friends through their adventures. Girlificated Sengoku has right to exist, but primary word here is Collection as its' separate stories about different characters, and thus of very little interest.   Overall Rating: 6/10   34. Ozma オズマ [Gonzo, LandQ studios] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi  In the far future, the elevated irradiation from the sun has destroyed the environment of the earth and the birthrate of humans has drastically decreased. The government controls society with an army of cloned soldiers called "Ideal Children (IC)". Sam Coyne is a trader in a desert. One day, he saves a beautiful woman Maya, who has been chased by Theseus, a corps of IC. He shelters her in his trade ship, but the destroyers of Theseus surround Sam and Maya. Another blend of Harlock and Queen Emeraldas and even space battleship Yamato as all the same character designs are reused over and over, and no renaming helps at all.   Overall Rating: 6/10   35. Pretty Rhythm: Dear My Future プリティーリズム ディアマイフューチャー [Tatsunoko Production, Dongwoo A&E] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Shoujo Idols (Female), Music Sports It is three years after the legendary Prism Queen Cup, and Aira Harune, Rizumu Amamiya, and Mion Takamine have become famed Prism Stars, spreading the glamor and radiance of Prism Shows wherever they perform. However, they encounter an unexpected challenge from a passionate and lively girl, Mia Ageha, who has publicly declared her intent to defeat Aira and become the greatest Prism Star. Sensing her potential, the Prism Show agency Pretty Top recruits Mia alongside three other aspiring Prism Stars—Karin Shijimi, Reina Miyama, and Ayami Ooruri—to form an idol group, Prizmmy. But the road to stardom is not easy: Mia has to deal with an old friend's unexpected appearance, this time as her rival, as well as navigate her way through the alluring yet conniving world of Prism Shows. Nevertheless, with her friends and team by her side, Mia is all the more fired up to march forward and carve the future for herself. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   36. Momo e no Tegami A Letter to Momo ももへの手紙 [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Award Winning, Drama, Supernatural After the unexpected death of her father, 11-year-old Momo Miyaura leaves Tokyo with her mother and moves to an old remote island in Seto Inland Sea. The only memento she has from her father is an unfinished letter with only two words inside: "Dear Momo"—along with her heart's unrest from it. In the new and unfamiliar small town, Momo reluctantly tries to adjust to the outmoded wooden buildings, silent crop fields, and mysterious isolated shrines. One day, while exploring the attic of her new home, she finds a worn out picture book about youkai. Following this discovery, strange things begin to happen around town, and Momo is greeted by the arrival of three troublesome youkai. Momo e no Tegami tells the story of a young girl as she struggles to adapt to her bizarre new life and ultimately come to terms with her father's mysterious letter. Two hour silly youkai torture.   Overall Rating: 5/10   37. Jewelpet Kira☆Deco! ジュエルペットきら☆デコッ! [Studio Comet] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Anthropomorphic, Mahou Shoujo Fantasy  In the Legends of Jewel Land, the Jewelpets were born from the love and caring of their queen, Jewelina. However a strange meteor crashes into the Mirror Ball, destroying it into a million pieces and its fragments called "Deco Stones" were all scattered in Jewel Land. In the present time, Ruby, a dimwitted Rabbit Jewelpet and owner of the Kira Kira Shop, has a thing on sparkly decorations and loves to collect anything that sparkles and shines. However, when she and the others learn about the legend of the Mirror Ball and the Deco Stones, they all decided to go and search for them, until they all meet 5 strange individuals called the KiraDeco 5. The group also has the same goal on wanting to collect the Deco Stones and they befriended the Jewelpets, especially to one of their members: Pink Oomiya. Now, the group need to gather all the Deco Stones and stop the Eternal Darkness from taking over the human world. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   38. Crayon Shin-chan Movie 20: Arashi wo Yobu! Ora to Uchuu no Princess 映画 クレヨンしんちゃん 嵐を呼ぶ!オラと宇宙のプリンセス [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Comedy An action comedy set in the solar system, about a row over Himawari, Shinnosuke's younger sister, between the Nohara family and aliens. Shinnosuke has a fight with Himawari, because she ate his crème caramel. Suddenly, two mysterious men appear and Shinnosuke signs an agreement to leave her with them. They abduct the Nohara family to the Planet Himawari by UFO. On the Planet Himawari, Sunday Goronesky the Great says Himawari needs to be the princess of the planet in order to save the Earth and the Planet Himawari from the fateful crisis. Not found of Himawari and aliens, it's getting even more abstract than usually.   Overall Rating: 5/10   39. Upotte!! うぽって!! [Xebec] (Finished 3/10) Tags: Seinen Military Action, Comedy, Ecchi Kiss kiss, bang bang! The arms race takes on a startling new development when the arms come with heads, legs and very feminine bodies attached! Yes, at Seishou Academy every girl is literally a lethal weapon, and they're all gunning for the top shot at getting their own personal serviceman! Needless to say, it's going to be difficult for newly recruited human instructor Genkoku to adjust to working with a living arsenal of high caliber cuties with tricky names like FNC (Funko) M 16A4 (Ichiroku) L85A1 (Eru) and SG 550 (Shigu). Especially since many have hair triggers and there's no bulletproof vest that can stop a really determined coed! He'll have to rewrite the operator's manual on student/teacher relationships, and pray that his job description won't include having to field strip and reassemble one of his cadets in the dark. But unfortunately (for him) FNC's already thinking about becoming HIS personal weapon, and she usually gets what she aims for! Just girls with guns flashing and competing. There have been a lot better attempts of the same later.   Overall Rating: 6/10   40. Nijiiro Hotaru: Eien no Natsuyasumi Rainbow Fireflies 虹色ほたる~永遠の夏休み~ [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Time Travel Fantasy, Romance, Slice of Life Yuuta was 12-year-old boy, who had lost his father in the traffic accident one year ago. In the summer vacation, he visited a deserted dam deep in the mountains, where he had a good time with his father before. Suddenly a thunder storm occurred and he slipped on the ground. He lost consciousness and woke up to find a girl and an unfamiliar village. He time-traveled 30 years and reached a village, which sank at the bottom of the dam. This is Yuuta's precious memory of "another" summer vacation. Visuals are crude, but tolerable. Contents is nothing unusual - going in time and inspiring some girl..   Overall Rating: 6/10   41. Chao Wa Zhanshi: Weiwu Jiaoguan AniMen: The Galactic Battle 超蛙战 威武教官 [Shanghai Hippo Animation] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Mecha, Military, Space Action, Sci-Fi Millennia ago, a ferocious nomadic tribe uncovered a forbidden lair of data crystals. These crystals gave the SWARM tribe advanced knowledge of warfare and genetic manipulation. Like wildfire, their vast empire soon spread across the galaxy, conquering and destroying everything in their path. The few survivors brave enough to fight back rose from the ashes. This is their story. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10
  2. kivandopulus

    Anime of the Year 2012-III Summer - Kingdom

    By kivandopulus,


    Anime of the Year
    Kingdom and Sword Art Online are genius masterpieces for me with Kingdom being the more grittier one.    1. Sword Art Online ソードアート・オンライン  [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 25/25) Tags: Love Polygon, Video Game Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance Ever since the release of the innovative NerveGear, gamers from all around the globe have been given the opportunity to experience a completely immersive virtual reality. Sword Art Online (SAO), one of the most recent games on the console, offers a gateway into the wondrous world of Aincrad, a vivid, medieval landscape where users can do anything within the limits of imagination. With the release of this worldwide sensation, gaming has never felt more lifelike. However, the idyllic fantasy rapidly becomes a brutal nightmare when SAO's creator traps thousands of players inside the game. The "log-out" function has been removed, with the only method of escape involving beating all of Aincrad's one hundred increasingly difficult levels. Adding to the struggle, any in-game death becomes permanent, ending the player's life in the real world. While Kazuto "Kirito" Kirigaya was fortunate enough to be a beta-tester for the game, he quickly finds that despite his advantages, he cannot overcome SAO's challenges alone. Teaming up with Asuna Yuuki and other talented players, Kirito makes an effort to face the seemingly insurmountable trials head-on. But with difficult bosses and threatening dark cults impeding his progress, Kirito finds that such tasks are much easier said than done. For me original has always been a genius masterpiece, but sequels aren't so much, will decide on sequels scores later.   Overall Rating: 10/10   2. Kokoro Connect ココロコネクト [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Love Polygon, School Drama, Romance, Supernatural When five students at Yamaboshi Academy realize that there are no clubs where they fit in, they band together to form the Student Cultural Society, or "StuCS" for short. The club consists of: Taichi Yaegashi, a hardcore wrestling fan; Iori Nagase, an indecisive optimist; Himeko Inaba, a calm computer genius; Yui Kiriyama, a petite karate practitioner; and Yoshifumi Aoki, the class clown. One day, Aoki and Yui experience a strange incident when, without warning, they switch bodies for a short period of time. As this supernatural phenomenon continues to occur randomly amongst the five friends, they begin to realize that it is not just fun and games. Now forced to become closer than ever, they soon discover each other's hidden secrets and emotional scars, which could end up tearing the StuCS and their friendship apart. Who in sane mind would consider idea of switching bodies good? Having consent makes it a bit better, but only a bit. So it's super confusing as I never know who in which body is. Furthermore, just the fact of switching spurs so much pointless drama... and that drama, plus personal crazes become the gist of the anime....   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica Aesthetica of a Rogue Hero はぐれ勇者の鬼畜美学〈エステティカ〉 [Arms] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Isekai, Super Power Action, Fantasy, Ecchi Since the discovery of "Samon Syndrome" 30 years ago, thousands of young people have traveled to fantasy worlds, the few returnees managing to keep the special abilities they acquired in those parallel universes. Akatsuki Ousawa, known as the "Rogue Hero," discards his peaceful life in the fantasy world Alayzard to face new challenges upon returning to Earth. He comes back with Miu, the daughter of the Demon King he defeated, and is now forced to hide her true identity by having her pose as his little sister. The two soon join Babel, a special school designed for those who have acquired special abilities and magical powers through their journey to a fantasy world. Babel was seemingly founded to train young interdimensional travelers and "guide them to the right path for the sake of humanity and themselves," but its true purpose remains unclear to the pseudo-siblings. Will Akatsuki and Miu be able to overcome the hostile, powerful student council and uncover the forces at play behind the scenes? Missed it back them, probably because synopsis is rather ridiculous. Now I see that it's watchable, but it still does not have any bigger story - just duels and battle royale at battle magician academy. Perverted overpowered protagonist is a rare sight, but he needs that to have his way over girls, though in battles it gets rather boring. Still could be a good anime if it had a normal story Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Dakara Boku wa, H ga Dekinai. So, I Can't Play H! だから僕は、Hができない。 [feel.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Comedy, Romance, Supernatural, Ecchi On the surface, Ryousuke Kaga is the token perverted teenager, spending his days ogling women and indulging in erotic reveries. Because of this, Ryousuke is ostracized by his classmates. Only his childhood friend Mina Okura knows that behind his lecherous persona lies a compassionate boy who has sworn to be chivalrous to girls, believing they are treasures that must be protected. One fateful day, Ryousuke runs into Lisara Restall, a Soul Reaper hailing from a noble family, whose primary objective in the human realm is to locate a magically potent person known as the One. In order to fuel her movement with magic, she decides to form a provisional contract with Ryousuke: to use his sexual desires as a source of energy. Carrying out this peculiar arrangement with Lisara, Ryousuke encounters many disparate individuals but also learns of the intriguing yet dark secrets surrounding his world. Binding a contract with a powerful mysterious girl is a super common plot starter. It's ok, but it got much better competitors.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Campione! Matsurowanu Kamigami to Kamigoroshi no Maou Campione! カンピオーネ！ ～まつろわぬ神々と神殺しの魔王～ [Diomedéa] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Harem Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi The gods of the world are not myths or legends. They exist, unbeknownst to humans, fighting their battles and laying waste to land and life. People perceive the fights of such "Heretic Gods" as inexplicable natural disasters they cannot escape. Sixteen-year-old high school student Godou Kusanagi travels to Italy at the request of his grandfather to return a particular tablet to an acquaintance for safekeeping. Godou does not expect to get drawn into a battle between two Heretic Gods alongside Erica Blandelli, a self-proclaimed witch fighting to protect people. Fortunately, he manages to defeat the god of war in mortal combat and becomes a "Campione"—or "God Slayer"—whose duty is to fight Heretic Gods to save humanity. Godou's new status as a Campione attracts a bevy of Gods who wish to challenge him and a band of devout followers—mostly women—who are willing to aid him in his battles. Campione!: Matsurowanu Kamigami to Kamigoroshi no Maou follows Godou as he tackles dueling deities in a conflict between Heaven and Earth. First episode is too ridiculous to go on. Kiss a witch and gain superpowers to defeat gods! Too much bs just to make another ecchi harem action , this time with Italian flavor.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Oda Nobuna no Yabou The Ambition of Oda Nobuna 織田信奈の野望 [Madhouse, Studio Gokumi] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, Historical, Time Travel Action, Comedy, Romance High school student Yoshiharu Sagara wakes up and finds himself in the middle of a raging Sengoku period battle. He is saved by the legendary Hideyoshi Toyotomi, but at the cost of the hero's life. With his dying breath, the warrior pleads for Yoshiharu to become a feudal lord in his place. Now that the course of history has been changed, Yoshiharu pledges to keep the timeline from diverging any further. Yet, after rescuing Nobuna Oda—whom he discovers is actually the fabled Nobunaga Oda's female counterpart—Yoshiharu realizes he has been transported to an alternate reality where most of Japan's historical warlords are now cute girls! To set things right and find a way back home, Yoshiharu agrees to become one of Nobuna's retainers and assist her in a conquest of Japan. As Nobuna initiates her campaign, Yoshiharu discovers that the history he learned from playing the video game "Nobunaga's Ambition" allows him to predict future events and turn the tide of war. Using this invaluable gift to aid the Oda clan's beautiful generals, Yoshiharu hopes to help his new lord fulfill her dream and win the hearts of women everywhere. Alternative history and Sengoku girlification is already a shaky ground, but adding a high school student via time travel makes it dubious entertainment. I don't enjoy it for sure .   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Koi to Senkyo to Chocolate Love, Election and Chocolate 恋と選挙とチョコレート [AIC Build] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem, School Drama, Romance Yuuki Oojima is a member of his high school's Food Research Club, whose main activity is eating snacks bought with funds allocated to them by the school. However, this peaceful and wasteful lifestyle is under threat as the upcoming student election draws near. Satsuki Shinonome, a major candidate and the head of the department of financial affairs, campaigns on a platform that includes disbanding meritless clubs such as the Food Research Club and redirecting their budgets to proper ones. Understandably, the Food Research Club is in an uproar over this development, with president Chisato Sumiyoshi vowing to preserve it. But what can they even do to stop the highly competent and popular Satsuki from getting elected? No story, only stage. For me that's just waste of time.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Binbougami ga! Good Luck Girl! 貧乏神が! [Sunrise] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shounen Parody Comedy, Supernatural Ichiko Sakura lives life on easy mode. Blessed with good fortune, she has everything she has ever wanted, including beauty, intelligence, and wealth. Momiji Binboda is a goddess of poverty. In stark contrast to Ichiko, she is cursed with misfortune, such as a perpetual cast on her arm, a flat chest, and a box under a bridge for a home. Their lives collide when Momiji lives up to her title and delivers some unfortunate news to Ichiko: her large amount of luck is due to her subconsciously draining the luck from those around her! Momiji has been tasked with stealing back Ichiko's fortune before she leaves everyone without enough luck to even survive. But Ichiko, with the help of the wandering monk Bobby Statice, manages to fight off the poverty goddess. This defeat forces the goddess to enlist reinforcements in the form of Kumagai, her teddy bear familiar, and the masochistic dog god, Momoo Inugami. Insanity ensues as Ichiko's quiet life is replaced with daily battles for her fortune. To survive the chaos, Ichiko will need all the luck she can get in Binbougami ga!! I've never encountered anything even remotely good about luck and misfortune confrontation. Cringe squared.   Overall Rating: 5/10   9. Kono Naka ni Hitori, Imouto ga Iru! NAKAIMO - My Little Sister Is Among Them! この中に1人、妹がいる！ [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Mystery, Romance, Ecchi Shougo Mikadono's father has just passed away, and now he must become the head of Mikadono Group, his father's company. After completing the training to take over, there is just one other stipulation he must adhere to: he will need to find a girl he loves at his new school and marry her by the time he graduates high school. Shougo transfers to Miryuin Private Academy, and it seems like he has many girls to choose from, such as Konoe Suruma, the class representative as well as his first new friend; Miyabi Kannagi, a standoffish but kind girl; Rinka Kunitachi, the student council vice president; Mei Sagara, who runs a cafe and dresses like a witch; and Mana Tendou, the student council president. However, there is a complication: one of them is his long-lost half sister, and he has no idea which one, so how can he become romantically involved with any of them? Harem Mystery ... that's a very poor combination for my tastes, especially after anime about strawberry pants. Anyway, this is terrible for anyone who does not like harems.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Kingdom キングダム [Pierrot] (Finished 38/38) Tags: Seinen Historical, Military Action China’s Warring States period, a raging dragon that would raze the land for 500 years, saw many kingdoms rise and fall, making way for the next generation of kings and generals to fight for supremacy. Eventually, seven powerful states emerged from the endless cycle of warfare. In the kingdom of Qin, Xin, a war-orphaned slave, trains vigorously with fellow slave and best friend, Piao, who shares his proud dream of one day becoming a Great General of the Heavens. However, the two are suddenly forced to part ways when Piao is recruited to work in the royal palace by a retainer of the King. After a fierce coup d'état unfolds, Piao returns to Xin, half dead, with a mission that will lead him to a meeting with China's young King, Ying Zheng, who bears a striking resemblance to Piao. Kingdom follows Xin as he takes his first steps into the great blood-soaked pages of China's history. He must carve his own path to glory on his long quest to become a Great General of the historic Seven Warring States. This is perfect. And if between the seasons I start to hesitate whether it was that good, next season overwhelms me again and forces to follow it day and night till it's over. It's useless to compare it with other historical action anime, because there's nothing else like it.   Overall Rating: 10/10   11. Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita Humanity Has Declined 人類は衰退しました [AIC ASTA] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy  Because of the constantly declining birth rates over many decades, human civilization is all but extinct. With only a few humans remaining, they survive in this post-apocalyptic world with what was left behind by the previous generations. Earth is now dominated by fairies, tiny creatures with extremely advanced technology, an obsession with candy, and a complete disregard for human safety. A young girl who has just finished her studies returns to her hometown and is designated as an official United Nations arbitrator. Her duty is to serve as a link between mankind and fairies, reassuring each side that both races can live together peacefully. She imagines this task will be easy enough, but controlling the disasters created by the oblivious fairies in their pursuit of candy will require a lot more effort than she initially believes. I remember trying and dropping it. It's episodic in the way that usually story takes two episodes , and not even in chronological order. It's random and with very weird and chaotic humor. Need to be either in love with this worldbuilding or appreciate humor. It's neither for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Yuru Yuri♪♪ YuruYuri: Happy Go Lily ♪♪ ゆるゆり♪♪ [Doga Kobo] (Finished 12/12) Tags: CGDCT, Gag Humor, School Comedy, Girls Love The girls of the Amusement Club return in Yuru Yuri♪♪, finding new ways to make passing time even more enjoyable. Their members consist of the always energetic Kyouko Toshinou; calm and sensible Yui Funami; polite but often overlooked Akari Akaza; and Chinatsu Yoshikawa, who stumbled upon the others while looking for the Tea Ceremony Club. Together they are the Amusement Club, which has the deceptively simple task of keeping its members entertained. Along with the Student Council and the odd family member, they strive to enjoy their youth to the fullest. Whether it's a trip to a hot spring or finishing overdue homework, their lives are never dull, and they will always find an excuse to spend time together. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Joshiraku じょしらく [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shounen Adult Cast, CGDCT, Gag Humor, Parody, Performing Arts Comedy Joshiraku follows the conversations of five rakugo storyteller girls relating the odd things that happen to them each day. Their comedic and satirical chatting covers all kinds of topics, from pointless observations of everyday life, to politics, manga, and more. Each girl has something new to add to the discussion, and the discourse never ends in the same place it began. Each of the rakugo girls has their own unique personality, with the energetic but immature Marii Buratei; the seemingly cute Kigurumi Haroukitei; the inherently lucky and carefree Tetora Bouhatei; the calm and violent Gankyou Kuurubiyuutei; and the pessimistic and unstable Kukuru Anrakutei. These girls—and their mysterious friend in a wrestling mask—give their observations to the audience, either backstage at the rakugo theater or in various famous locations around Tokyo. My acquaintance with rakugo happened with brilliant Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu, and I'm happy for that. This is not rakugo, just wild discussions on random topics and without any kinds of satisfying resolutions. Feels like funny observations of stand up comedian that never got a punchline. Now compare this to hilarity of Lucky Star. Joshiraku only issues headackes. It's still possible to find some funny moments which inevitably get piled up in an instant. If I want weird clever fast-paced discussions, I'd sooner watch anything from Monogatari series than this.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Tari Tari  [P.A. Works] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Music, School Slice of Life  At Shirahamazaka High School, a special recital is held every year in which music students are able to showcase their talents in front of professionals and other prestigious guests. Third-year Konatsu Miyamoto desperately wants to sing in her last high school recital, but because she screwed up the year before, the vice principal has barred her from participating. That's when Konatsu comes up with a new plan to get involved; instead of joining the official choir, she'll form her own singing club with her friends! Unfortunately this proves to be harder than she imagined. Her friend Wakana Sakai has given up on singing, for one, and Konatsu needs more than just two members. With only a month left until the recital, will Konatsu be able to find enough members for her club and actually be ready to sing at one of the most important events of the school year and graduate without regrets? I watched everything from early P.A.Works, but I have vague memories about Tari Tari, because there are many dozens of such works nowadays, and without outstanding story it becomes yet another anime where girls go to club and work to fulfil their dreams. And it happens in every second SOL anime. Slow-paced boring SOL can be found almost everywhere.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Dog Days' ドッグデイズ' [Seven Arcs] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Isekai Action, Adventure, Fantasy  Cinque returns to the land of Flonyard in Dog Days' to resume his duties as the hero of the Biscotti Republic and it's as though he never left! The difference this time is that he's brought two friends with him who become heroes in their own right: childhood best friend Rebecca Anderson, who becomes the hero for the Principality of Pastillage at the urging of their leader Princess Couvert Eschenbach Pastillage, and his cousin Nanami Takatsuki, who becomes the hero for the Galette Lion Dominion. As with the first season though, with so many secrets to be uncovered and mysteries to be solved, will there even be time for the athletic events that these three hyper and athletic teenagers love to participate in so much? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   16. Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse マブラヴ オルタネイティヴ トータル・イクリプス [Satelight, ixtl] (Finished 4/24) Tags: Mecha, Military Action, Sci-Fi In 1973, following the ruthless six-year-long Lunar War, the hostile alien species known as the BETA—Beings of Extra Terrestrial origin which are Adversary of the human race—invaded Earth, killing billions and decimating Eurasia. While BETA can be destroyed with conventional weapons, their laser-class is able to wipe out entire aircraft fleets, forcing mankind to develop giant combat suits called Tactical Surface Fighters (TSF) to combat them. When the BETA reach Japan in 1998, military school student and TSF pilot—or eishi—Yui Takamura is ordered to defend Kyoto's last line of defense with her fellow classmates. At the cost of countless human lives and the sacrifice of Yui's friends, the Japanese Imperial Army manages to repel the invaders, leaving destruction in its wake. However, this encounter leaves Yui determined to never again allow something like this to occur. Three years later, now a lieutenant, Yui joins the XFJ project, an Alaska-based Japan-American TSF development program. In an international team composed of the uncooperative Japanese-American test pilot Yuuya Bridges and various eishi from countries lost to the BETA, Yui's task is to help develop the new Japanese TSF Shiranui. Amidst political tensions inherited from the Cold War, Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse follows Yui's delicate mission and Yuuya's journey to overcome the demons of the past that still haunt him. I liked both Alternative adaptation and Schwarzesmarken, but Total Eclipse becomes a typical horrible mecha after first two episodes. Just training and romance between really mediocre characters. Guess first pancake is lumpy, after all.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Natsuyuki Rendezvous 夏雪ランデブー [Doga Kobo] (Finished 5/11) Tags: Josei Adult Cast Drama, Romance, Supernatural Ryousuke Hazuki is a young man whose heart has been stolen away, stopping by the local floral shop daily in order to catch a glimpse of the beautiful Rokka Shimao, the shop's owner. In hopes of getting close to her, he decides to get a part-time job at the shop, but before he is able to make his move, he runs into a major roadblock: in her apartment dwells a ghost who claims to be Rokka's deceased husband. Atsushi Shimao has quietly watched over his widowed wife ever since he passed three years ago. However, Hazuki is the first person to ever notice him, and the two quickly find themselves at odds: the jealous Shimao attempts to thwart the suitor's advances and possess his body, while Hazuki simply wants the ghost to pass on for good, allowing Rokka to move on from the past and him to be with the one he loves. As both men refuse to let go of their desires, an unusual relationship forms between a troubled woman, an unrelenting ghost, and a stubborn man in love. So we're suggested to enjoy a love triangle with a male ghost... that's... fresh. My main complaints is that it's not particularly interesting and that story should not and can not take 11 episodes, because it gets full of fillers otherwise.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Kyoukaisenjou no Horizon II Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere II 境界線上のホライゾンII [Sunrise] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi  Taking advantage of the opportunity that the Mikawa Conflict provides, Tori and his comrades attempt to rescue Horizon from the Testament Union. But even as the Floating City Musashi speeds towards its next destination, the Floating Island England, Tres España is preparing its own armada for war against the British Islanders. Now, as the quest of Horizon's emotions builds to its climax, Tori's new battle is about to begin in the land ruled by the Fairy Queen! The reenactment of the history described in the mysterious Testament continues as the secret of the Armor of Deadly Sins is unleashed in the spectacular second season of Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Hakuouki: Reimeiroku Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom - Dawn of the Shinsengumi 薄桜鬼 黎明録 [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Josei Historical, Samurai Action, Drama, Supernatural Beaten and left to perish, Ryuunosuke Ibuki is robbed of everything to his name. Seeing him in such a pitiful state, a man named Kamo Serizawa gives him a second chance and offers him to become his personal assistant. Ibuki seems to be spared by grief, but this new lifestyle only makes him nothing more than a dog to one of the most influential men in all of Kyoto. Meanwhile, with the rise of ronin attacks on the general population, the shogunate sends the Roshigumi to Kyoto to strike for peace. Led by the honorable yet soft-spoken Isami Kondou, the Roshigumi is composed of strong and skilled samurai but lacks any meaningful political connections to gain footing in the city plagued by crime. Having no other choice, Kondou allies with the arrogant Serizawa and his connections in exchange for their combative strength. Despite hating everything the samurai stand for, Ibuki finds himself tangled in the business of the Roshigumi. However, as he interacts with the members under Kondou's leadership, Ibuki slowly realizes that not all samurai are as cruel and dishonorable as he once thought. Hakuouki Reimeiroku explores the early days leading up to the formation of the Shinsengumi while the political tension in Kyoto gives rise to instability and uncertainty. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   20. Chouyaku Hyakuninisshu: Uta Koi. Utakoi 超訳百人一首 うた恋い。 [TYO Animations] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Josei Historical  Comedy, Romance Uta Koi tells the "super-liberal interpretation" of the Hyakuninisshu anthology compiled during Japan's Heian period of 100 romantic poems from 100 different poets such as The Tale of Genji's Murasaki Shikibu. I can't stand anything Heian already. Pure boredom, as for me.   Overall Rating: 0/10   21. Rinne no Lagrange Season 2 Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne Season 2 輪廻のラグランジェ season 2 [Xebec] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Mecha Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi Several months have passed since Lan and Muginami left Earth. Now in her final year of high school, Madoka spends most of her days thinking about her friends, when Lan suddenly returns to Kamogawa City. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   22. Moyashimon Returns もやしもん リターンズ [Telecom Animation Film, Shirogumi] (Finished 1/11) Tags: Seinen School Comedy, Gourmet, Supernatural In the second season the story continues exactly where it left off previously. Professor Itsuki's Fermentation Cellar and laboratory is ready for operation and with Sawaki Tadayasu's unique gift to see and communicate with microbes to help, Itsuki's motley group of students begin to process different fermented products like soy sauce and sake. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Tanken Driland 探検ドリランド [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/37) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy  Due to the influence of someone who visited her town when she was a child, Princess Mikoto of Elua decides to become a hunter and search for treasure all over the land of Driland. She sets out on her journey with her personal assistant Wallens, but they are soon joined by Pollon, a hunter who dreams of being a hero, and Paan, a wandering knight. As they continue their exploration they begin to sense great danger drawing near. All characters having SD designs is usually a sign that it's for children. Very simple and toothless indeed.   Overall Rating: 5/10   24. Zhandou Wang Zhi Jufeng Zhan Hun Infinity Nado 战斗王之飓风战魂 [Alpha Animation] (Finished 0/52) Tags: Action  Dawn and Athas find a mysterious sleeping boy, Pandora, who suffers from amnesia after he comes around. When Pandora just arrives at Freewheel Town, he becomes the chasing target of an organization called Ancient Hunter Group, which demands of him to carry out the "Great Mission". Under the attack of Jin and his friends, Ancient Hunter Group is temporarily repelled. With the assistance of Jin and his friends, Pandora gradually gets used to life in this world and his skill on top is much improved.Can Pandora regain his memories? What is his "Great Mission"? The story will tell you...... Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   25. Ebiten: Kouritsu Ebisugawa Koukou Tenmonbu Ebiten えびてん 公立海老栖川高校天悶部 [AIC Classic] (Finished 4/10) Tags: Shounen Parody, School Comedy, Ecchi Noya Itsuki just transferred to Ebisugawa High School. Since he has always had a fascination with space, he decides to join the Astronomy Club; however, he mistakenly walks into the Asstronomy Club—a club whose members are all female otaku. Itsuki notices that the members are really weird, but he has yet to realize that he joined the wrong club. His life becomes very strange very quickly. A very random school club Ecchi comedy with a big amount of parody. Without normal concept it's difficult to watch for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Ookami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki Wolf Children おおかみこどもの雨と雪 [Studio Chizu] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Childcare Award Winning, Fantasy, Slice of Life Hana, a hard-working college student, falls in love with a mysterious man who attends one of her classes though he is not an actual student. As it turns out, he is not truly human either. On a full moon night, he transforms, revealing that he is the last werewolf alive. Despite this, Hana's love remains strong, and the two ultimately decide to start a family. Hana gives birth to two healthy children—Ame, born during rainfall, and Yuki, born during snowfall—both possessing the ability to turn into wolves, a trait inherited from their father. All too soon, however, the sudden death of her lover devastates Hana's life, leaving her to raise a peculiar family completely on her own. The stress of raising her wild-natured children in a densely populated city, all while keeping their identity a secret, culminates in a decision to move to the countryside, where she hopes Ame and Yuki can live a life free from the judgments of society. Wolf Children is the heartwarming story about the challenges of being a single mother in an unforgiving modern world. It was among recommendations in one podcast as a touching anime, but I expected only tearjerkers. And of course all kinds of misfortunes hammered down again and again which in conjunction with ungrateful children brings only disaster. People who like to cry will surely burst here, but it's a really bad and horribly long anime that brings nothing, just tearkerkers for the sake of tearjerkers.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Gintama: Yorinuki Gintama-san on Theater 2D 銀魂 よりぬき銀魂さんオンシアター2D [Sunrise] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, Historical, Parody, Samurai Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi Demonic Vice-Commander of the Shinsengumi, Toushirou Hijikata, acquires a cursed sword—one which completely rewrites his personality, morphing him from a hard-boiled, no-nonsense cop into a hopeless otaku. As he struggles to break the curse, an ambitious new member of the police force, Itou Kamotarou, seizes the opportunity to depose Hijikata in his bid for power within the organization. However, Itou's scheme is revealed to be more devious than anyone imagined, and the very existence of the Shinsengumi is thrown into peril. In another time and place, the Yorozuya squad is suddenly greeted by a potential new recruit. Before them is a mysterious young woman named Pirako Doromizu who hides a penchant for extreme violence behind her smiling, enthusiastic exterior. However, unbeknownst to Gintoki and the others, Pirako has strong ties to one of the ruling figures of the Kabuki district of Edo, and her arrival sets off a chain reaction that throws the inhabitants of the district into a civil war. Can't rate recaps high.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Mardock Scramble: The Third Exhaust マルドゥック・スクランブル 第3部 排気 [GoHands] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Psychological Action, Sci-Fi The final plans to finish Shell off in court have been made by Easter, Balot, and Oeufcoque. But in order to execute those plans, they must set foot into Shell's domain: the BlueEgg Casino in the center of Mardock City, and find the chip where his memories lie. If they can't find the chip, their case will be dismissed in court, and their "usefulness" will be gone – resulting in all of their deaths. Will Balot find the chip in time, while still dodging Boiled and his now mad search for her and Oeufcoque? Again half of movie is wasted on casino. Second half is chaotic and it's not even explained what Deus Ex Machina allows to win...   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Asura アシュラ [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical Award Winning, Drama Asura is an unrelentingly dark drama that follows the struggles of a young boy who did whatever it took to survive during a time of war and famine in medieval Japan. Cannibal and serial killer kid causes trouble to everyone who happens to help him. As if it's not enough, as starvation comes, everyone else becomes akin to beasts. I doubt anyone would want to watch that.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Biohazard: Damnation バイオハザード ダムネーション [Digital Frontier] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi  United States Special Agent Leon S. Kennedy sneaks into a small Eastern European country to verify rumors that Bio Organic Weapons (B.O.W.s) are being used in war. Right after his infiltration, the U.S. government orders him to leave immediately. Determined to uncover the truth, Leon ignores the order and enters the battlefield to end the chain of tragedies caused by the B.O.W.s. It has original story not used in games, and that's felt. It tried to copy whatever good there was in games, and result is not original story, more like compilation.   Overall Rating: 6/10   31. Starship Troopers: Invasion スターシップ・トゥルーパーズ インベイジョン [Sola Digital Arts] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Military Action, Sci-Fi A distant Federation outpost Fort Casey comes under attack by bugs. The team on the fast attack ship Alesia is assigned to help the Starship John A. Warden stationed in Fort Casey evacuate along with the survivors and bring military intelligence safely back to Earth. Carl Jenkins, now head of the Ministry of Paranormal Warfare, takes the starship on a clandestine mission before its rendezvous with the Alesia and goes missing in the nebula. Now, the battle-hardened troopers are charged with a rescue mission that may lead to a much more sinister consequence than they ever could have imagined... CGI. It's ok, but very local as it takes place during taking ship back from the monsters. It's decent, but due to just action story can't consider it a masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 6/10   32. Padak Padak 파닥파닥 [eigoMANGA] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama A mackerel from the sea attempts to escape from a restaurant! Padak is a mackerel from the sea, who is caught in a net and gets dumped into a restaurant tank. An old flatfish is the only one that's survived very long. He gains the trust of other fish with his survival skills. Thanks to Padak, who attempts to make it back to the ocean, the peace in the tank is shattered and conflicts with the old flatfish get bigger and bigger. CGI. Guess it's made by vegetarians or something as every single fish or crab wants to live and escape here, but a lot get eaten either by humans or by each other. Felt really unpleasant.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  3. kivandopulus
    Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun is the best shoujo comedy that I know. Since there is a firm masterpiece this time, can lower score of Bakuman. 3rd Season a bit to comply. There is also a number of honorary masterpieces - Psycho-Pass , Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! and Ixion Saga DT .   1. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken (TV) JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012) ジョジョの奇妙な冒険  [David Production] (Finished 3/26) Tags: Shounen Vampire Action, Adventure, Supernatural The year is 1868; English nobleman George Joestar and his son Jonathan become indebted to Dario Brando after being rescued from a carriage incident. What the Joestars don't realize, however, is that Dario had no intention of helping them; he believed they were dead and was trying to ransack their belongings. After Dario's death 12 years later, George—hoping to repay his debt—adopts his son, Dio. While he publicly fawns over his new father, Dio secretly plans to steal the Joestar fortune. His first step is to create a divide between George and Jonathan. By constantly outdoing his foster brother, Dio firmly makes his place in the Joestar family. But when Dio pushes Jonathan too far, Jonathan defeats him in a brawl. Years later, the two appear to be close friends to the outside world. But trouble brews again when George falls ill, as Jonathan suspects that Dio is somehow behind the incident—and it appears he has more tricks up his sleeve. Did not like OVAs. Don't like 19th century, weird fashion, focus on epic fights and short arcs without any interesting big story. Watchable and less childish than I thought, but still disappointing.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Psycho-Pass サイコパス [Production I.G] (Finished 22/22) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective, Psychological Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Suspense Justice, and the enforcement of it, has changed. In the 22nd century, Japan enforces the Sibyl System, an objective means of determining the threat level of each citizen by examining their mental state for signs of criminal intent, known as their Psycho-Pass. Inspectors uphold the law by subjugating, often with lethal force, anyone harboring the slightest ill-will; alongside them are Enforcers, jaded Inspectors that have become latent criminals, granted relative freedom in exchange for carrying out the Inspectors' dirty work. Into this world steps Akane Tsunemori, a young woman with an honest desire to uphold justice. However, as she works alongside veteran Enforcer Shinya Kougami, she soon learns that the Sibyl System's judgments are not as perfect as her fellow Inspectors assume. With everything she has known turned on its head, Akane wrestles with the question of what justice truly is, and whether it can be upheld through the use of a system that may already be corrupt. I don't consider PsychoPass great even though I watched everything from it. But it still got enough firepower and interesting details to be called a borderline masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 7/10   3. Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! 中二病でも恋がしたい! [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 12/12) Tags: School Comedy, Romance  Everybody has had that stage in their life where they have thought themselves to be special, different from the masses of ordinary humans. They might go as far as seeing themselves capable of wielding mystical powers, or maybe even believe themselves to have descended from a fantasy realm. This "disease" is known as "chuunibyou" and is often the source of some of the most embarrassing moments of a person's life. For Yuuta Togashi, the scars that his chuunibyou has left behind are still fresh. Having posed as the "Dark Flame Master" during his middle school years, he looks back at those times with extreme embarrassment, so much so that he decides to attend a high school far away where nobody will recognize him. Putting his dark history behind him, he longs to live a normal high school life. Unfortunately, he hasn't escaped his past yet: enter Rikka Takanashi, Yuuta's new classmate and self-declared vessel of the "Wicked Eye." As this eccentric young girl crashes into Yuuta's life, his dream of an ordinary, chuunibyou-free life quickly crumbles away. In this hilarious and heartwarming story of a boy who just wants to leave his embarrassing memories behind, the delusions of old are far from a thing of the past. Some parts of it are cheesy, but some are cute and memorable. It's worth watching even for the memes alone, so can't deny it a honorable masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 7/10   4. Sakura-sou no Pet na Kanojo The Pet Girl of Sakurasou さくら荘のペットな彼女  [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3/24) Tags: School, Visual Arts Drama, Romance At Suimei High, the Sakura-sou dormitory is infamous for housing the school's most notorious delinquents. Thus, when the relatively tame Sorata Kanda is transferred to the dorm, escaping this insane asylum becomes his foremost goal. Trapped there for the time being, he must learn how to deal with his fellow residents, including bubbly animator Misaki Kamiigusa, charming playboy writer Jin Mitaka, and the ever-reclusive Ryuunosuke Akasaka. Surrounded by weirdness, Sorata frequently finds respite in his interactions with his one "normal" friend, aspiring voice actress Nanami Aoyama. When Mashiro Shiina—a new foreign exchange student—joins the dormitory, Sorata is instantly enraptured by her beauty. Underneath her otherworldly appearance, Mashiro is an autistic savant, capable of world-renowned brilliance in her art, yet unable to perform simple daily tasks. After Sorata ends up in charge of taking care of Mashiro, the two inevitably grow closer, with Sorata's initial desire to escape the dormitory becoming a forgotten goal. Despite their eccentricities, every resident is incredible in their own field, leaving Sorata to contend with his own lack of any particular skill. With brilliance all around him, he thus strives to become an equal to their talent. Revolving around the hardships and joys of its colorful cast, Sakura-sou no Pet na Kanojo is a heartwarming coming-of-age tale of friendship, love, ambition, and heartbreak—through the lens of an ordinary person surrounded by the extraordinary. Unsociable manga artist girl is nothing new, protagonist is typical and side cast are not really memorable. Lots of useless juvenile drama is involved. I've no incentive to watch it further.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun My Little Monster となりの怪物くん [Brain's Base] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Shoujo School Comedy, Romance Shizuku Mizutani is apathetic toward her classmates, only caring about her grades. However, her cold view of life begins to change when she meets Haru Yoshida, a violent troublemaker who stopped attending class after getting into a fight early in the school year. He is not much different from her, though—he too understands little about human nature and does not have any friends. Much to Shizuku's surprise, he proclaims that she will be his friend and immediately confesses his feelings toward her upon meeting her. Because of her lack of friends and social interaction, Shizuku has a hard time understanding her relationship with Haru. But slowly, their friendship begins to progress, and she discovers that there is more to Haru than violence. She begins to develop feelings for him, but is unsure what kind of emotions she is experiencing. Together, Shizuku and Haru explore the true nature of their relationship and emotions. It's actually the best shoujo that I'm aware of by now. It has more fun and complexity than earlier favorites. It's the highest score any Shoujo got from me if not count dark shoujo Madoka.   Overall Rating: 8/10   6. Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic マギ The labyrinth of magic [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 4/25) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Fantasy  A Magi is a magician whose inclination toward magic is so immense that they can be said to shape the world. With their significant influence, each Magi chooses a worthy candidate to become a king, then helps them conquer strange labyrinths called "Dungeons" and acquire the power of mythical djinns within. Above all else, the Magi supervises their elected representative as they build a country that might one day bring the world to its knees. Aladdin is a young Magi wandering the world in search of his true self. However, his journey is not a lonely one, as he is accompanied by his friend and mentor Ugo—a djinn he summons using his flute. In his travels, Aladdin also befriends Alibaba Saluja and guides him to a nearby Dungeon. With this newfound friendship, they begin an epic adventure across the world, witnessing various irregularities that seem more frequent than ever. So super strong magi Aladdin travels with Djinn just travel around the worlds and places, make friends, gather treasure, fight baddies in short adventure arcs. That sounds and feels terrible. Constant random deus ex machina and silly characters make things even worse. I absolutely don't understand the appeal here .   Overall Rating: 5/10   7. Btooom!  [Madhouse] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Seinen Gore, High Stakes Game, Psychological, Survival Action, Sci-Fi, Suspense Ryouta Sakamoto is unemployed and lives with his mother, his only real achievement being that he is Japan's top player of the popular online video game Btooom! However, his peaceful life is about to change when he finds himself stranded on an island in the middle of nowhere, with a small green crystal embedded in his left hand and no memory of how he got there. To his shock, someone has decided to recreate the game he is so fond of in real life, with the stakes being life or death. Armed with a bag full of unique bombs known as "BIM," the players are tasked with killing seven of their fellow participants and taking their green crystals in order to return home. Initially condemning any form of violence, Ryouta is forced to fight when he realizes that many of the other players are not as welcoming as they may seem. Teaming up with Himiko, a fellow Btooom! player, they attempt to get off of the island together, coming closer and closer to the truth behind this contest of death. There are much better battle royale - with better characters and setup and rules. If anything, I'm not enjoying these one-sided simpleton characters and development.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Shinsekai yori From the New World 新世界より [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 3/25) Tags: Psychological Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Suspense In the town of Kamisu 66, 12-year-old Saki Watanabe has just awakened to her psychic powers and is relieved to rejoin her friends—the mischievous Satoru Asahina, the shy Mamoru Itou, the cheerful Maria Akizuki, and Shun Aonuma, a mysterious boy whom Saki admires—at Sage Academy, a special school for psychics. However, unease looms as Saki begins to question the fate of those unable to awaken to their powers, and the children begin to get involved with secretive matters such as the rumored Tainted Cats said to abduct children. Shinsekai yori tells the unique coming-of-age story of Saki and her friends as they journey to grow into their roles in the supposed utopia. Accepting these roles, however, might not come easy when faced with the dark and shocking truths of society, and the impending havoc born from the new world. Another suspense mystery and more so with espers which means slow pace, random events that may or may not lead to something meaningful and constant confusion. I start to think that the proper way to sample mysteries is to watch three last episodes and not first three episodes which are always deliberately confusing.   Overall Rating: 5/10   9. K  [GoHands] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Super Power Action, Fantasy, Mystery "Kings" are individuals who have been bestowed with incredible supernatural powers and granted the ability to recruit others into their clans. Protecting the lives and honor of their clansmen is an integral part of the Kings' duties. After a video depicting the heinous murder of a Red Clansman spreads virally, the unassuming student Yashiro Isana is accused of homicide. Now, a manhunt is underway for his head, bringing him into contact with the infamous "Black Dog" Kurou Yatogami—a skilled swordsman and martial artist determined to follow the wishes of his late master, the Seventh King. Meanwhile, the current Red King, Mikoto Suou, faces his own imminent demise as the search for Yashiro narrows. But during Yashiro's struggle to prove his innocence, a greater conspiracy is unraveling behind the scenes; clouds begin to appear in his memory, and close friends start to question his very existence. What began as a simple murder is now leading towards a full blown war between Kings with the very fate of the world at stake. Just war of gangs with superpowers with protagonist framed as murderer and thus hunted. Good visuals, but I find everything else decent at best and uninspiring.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Suki tte Ii na yo. Say "I Love You." 好きっていいなよ。 [Zexcs] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Shoujo School Drama, Romance Friends will only let you down—that is the sad truth Mei Tachibana lives with, ever since she was wrongfully blamed for the death of a class pet by her so-called friends in grade school. Since then, she has stayed away from people in order to avoid ever being hurt again. However, Mei's life begins to change drastically when a misunderstanding in high school causes her to encounter popular student Yamato Kurosawa. Yamato finds her intriguing and insists on being her friend, even though Mei wants nothing to do with him. But when a dangerous situation ends with Yamato kissing Mei to save her from the unwanted attention of a stalker, Mei begins to develop feelings for him. On the heels of her discovery that their feelings are mutual, they start dating and she gains not only a boyfriend, but friends as well. Mei, however, finds it very hard to adapt to this new lifestyle, especially in expressing her true feelings towards Yamato. Throughout misunderstandings of their new relationship, each other, and the attentions of other girls, Mei and Yamato slowly grow closer and learn the true meaning of those three little words: "I love you." I need smart characters to like shoujo. These characters are one-sided and very unlikable. Don't know who it is for - probably for depressed girls.   Overall Rating: 5/10   11. Kamisama Hajimemashita Kamisama Kiss 神様はじめました  [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shoujo Mythology Comedy, Fantasy, Romance High schooler Nanami Momozono has quite a few problems of late, beginning with her absentee father being in such extreme debt that they lose everything. Downtrodden and homeless, she runs into a man being harassed by a dog. After helping him, she explains her situation, and to her surprise, he offers her his home in gratitude. But when she discovers that said home is a rundown shrine, she tries to leave; however, she is caught by two shrine spirits and a fox familiar named Tomoe. They mistake her for the man Nanami rescued—the land god of the shrine, Mikage. Realizing that Mikage must have sent her there as a replacement god, Tomoe leaves abruptly, refusing to serve a human. Rather than going back to being homeless, Nanami immerses herself in her divine duties. But if she must keep things running smoothly, she will need the help of a certain hot-headed fox. In her fumbling attempt to seek out Tomoe, she lands in trouble and ends up sealing a contract with him. Now the two must traverse the path of godhood together as god and familiar; but it will not be easy, for new threats arise in the form of a youkai who wants to devour the girl, a snake that wants to marry her, and Nanami's own unexpected feelings for her new familiar. I have only one question regarding this anime - why is it not properly marked as reverse harem so that I could dump it instantly?.   Overall Rating: 5/10   12. Zetsuen no Tempest 絶園のテンペスト [Bones] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shounen Psychological Action, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery Yoshino Takigawa, an ordinary teenager, is secretly dating his best friend Mahiro Fuwa's younger sister, Aika. But when Aika mysteriously dies, Mahiro disappears, vowing to find the one responsible and make them pay for murdering his beloved sister. Yoshino continues his life as usual and has not heard from Mahiro in a month—until he is confronted by a strange girl who holds him at gunpoint, and his best friend arrives in the nick of time to save him. Yoshino learns that Mahiro has enlisted the help of a witch named Hakaze Kusaribe to find Aika's killer. However, the witch has been banished to a deserted island due to infighting within her clan. Hakaze's brother, Samon, selfishly desires to make use of the Tree of Exodus' power, in spite of both his sister's opposition and the impending peril to the world. With Hakaze out of the picture, it is now up to Yoshino and Mahiro to help her save the world, all while inching ever closer to the truth behind Aika's death. Mystery, huh. Investigate murder and save the world from world conquest with superpowers! Another boring 24 episodes for a fluke resolution. First episode just retells the synopsis, but it's more than enough to grow to hate it.   Overall Rating: 5/10   13. Nekomonogatari: Kuro Nekomonogatari Black 猫物語（黒） [Shaft] (Finished 1/4) Tags: Comedy, Romance, Supernatural, Ecchi  After surviving a vampire attack, Koyomi Araragi notices that his friend and savior, Tsubasa Hanekawa, has been acting strange. When he happens to cross paths with her on his way to a bookstore and sees she has a bandage on her face, he knows something must definitely be wrong. Araragi wants to help her, but Hanekawa assures him that her wound is just something she received at home and that he should not concern himself with it. But when a white cat with no tail is hit and killed by a car, the pair bury the creature and the real trouble begins. When Araragi later pays a visit to his friend Meme Oshino and recounts the day's events, he is informed what they have buried is actually an apparition, one perfect for Hanekawa in her current state. Tasked with finding his friend to confirm her safety, he discovers that she has attacked her parents, possessed by the "Sawari Neko." Now, it is up to Araragi to help Hanekawa as she once helped him. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. To LOVE-Ru Darkness To LOVE Ru Darkness To LOVEる -とらぶる- ダークネス [Xebec] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi, Ecchi  As close encounters of the twisted kind between the residents of the planet Develuke (represented primarily by the female members of the royal family) and the inhabitants of Earth (represented mainly by one very exhausted Rito Yuki) continue to escalate, the situation spirals even further out of control. When junior princesses Nana and Momo transferred into Earth School where big sister LaLa can (theoretically) keep an eye on them, things SHOULD be smooth sailing. But when Momo decides she'd like to "supplement" Rito's relationship with LaLa with a little "sisterly love," you know LaLa's not going to waste any time splitting harems. Unfortunately, it's just about that point that Yami, the Golden Darkness, enters the scene with all the subtleness of a supernova, along with an army of possessed high school students! All of which is certain to make Rito's life suck more than a black hole at the family picnic. Unless, of course, a certain semi-demonic princess can apply a little of her Develukean Whoop Ass to exactly that portion of certain other heavenly bodies! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Code:Breaker  [Kinema Citrus] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Shounen School, Super Power Action, Comedy, Supernatural Although cheerful and delicate, Sakura Sakurakouji is a skilled martial artist with a sense of fairness that never falters—no matter the situation. Upon witnessing people burning in blue flames while on a bus ride home, she calls the police to bring their murderer to justice only to find that no evidence remains. However, all her doubts about what she saw vanish when the next day, the new transfer student Rei Oogami joins her class; he is the very boy she watched commit murder in cold blood. Rei is kind, sweet, and quickly becomes popular, contradicting Sakura's accusations. Soon enough, she learns his true nature: a Code Breaker, or "one who does not exist." To Sakura's shock, Rei—armed with mysterious powers—seeks to exact justice according to the principle of "an eye for an eye." Determined to bring Rei to the right path, Sakura keeps close to him in the hopes of redeeming him from his ways before others are hurt. I see it as a dumb revamp of Death Note. One protagonist exerts self-imposed justice, the other tries to save victims. Repetitive and shallow.   Overall Rating: 5/10   16. Bakuman. 3rd Season Bakuman Season 3 バクマン。 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 25/25) Tags: Shounen Otaku Culture Comedy, Drama, Romance Onto their third serialization, manga duo Moritaka Mashiro and Akito Takagi—also known by their pen name, Muto Ashirogi—are ever closer to their dream of an anime adaption. However, the real challenge is only just beginning: if they are unable to compete with the artist Eiji Niizuma in the rankings within the span of six months, they will be canceled. To top it off, numerous rivals are close behind and declaring war. They don't even have enough time to spare thinking about an anime! In Bakuman. 3rd Season, Muto Ashirogi must find a way to stay atop the colossal mountain known as the Shounen Jack rankings. With new problems and new assistants, the pair continue to strive for their dream. Sequel. Since there's another firm masterpiece this season, lowering score for that anime's sake.   Overall Rating: 8/10   17. Gintama': Enchousen Gintama: Enchousen 銀魂' 延長戦 [Sunrise] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, Historical, Parody, Samurai Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi While Gintoki Sakata was away, the Yorozuya found themselves a new leader: Kintoki, Gintoki's golden-haired doppelganger. In order to regain his former position, Gintoki will need the help of those around him, a troubling feat when no one can remember him! Between Kintoki and Gintoki, who will claim the throne as the main character? In addition, Yorozuya make a trip back down to red-light district of Yoshiwara to aid an elderly courtesan in her search for her long-lost lover. Although the district is no longer in chains beneath the earth's surface, the trio soon learn of the tragic backstories of Yoshiwara's inhabitants that still haunt them. With flashback after flashback, this quest has Yorozuya witnessing everlasting love and protecting it as best they can with their hearts and souls. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Oniichan dakedo Ai sae Areba Kankeinai yo ne! OniAi お兄ちゃんだけど愛さえあれば関係ないよねっ [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi After their parents' deaths, brother and sister Akito and Akiko Himenokouji were forced to live with separate families for six years. But now they have finally reunited and begin to live together. It quickly becomes apparent that Akiko harbors romantic feelings for her brother; however, Akito only sees her as a sibling. When three more girls—Anastasia Nasuhara, Arashi Nikaidou, and Ginbei Haruomi Sawatari—move into their apartment, Akiko's hopes of living alone with her brother vanish. Moreover, these girls also like Akito in one way or another, making it even more difficult for Akiko to gain her brother's undivided attention. As the girls fight over who should take care of Akito, they display various eroticisms that may be a little too much for a normal man to handle. Ecchi harems have the same plot - everyone competes for protagonist, so appeal should lie in characters. They are quite alright, but nothing special, more like realizations of different tropes.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Girls & Panzer Girls und Panzer ガールズ&パンツァー [Actas] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Military, School Action  "Senshadou" is a traditional sport using World War II era tanks in elimination-based matches. Widely practiced by women and girls alike, it's advertised as a form of art geared towards making ladies more prominent in culture and appealing to men. Becoming a worldwide phenomenon over time, the influence of senshadou leads to the creation of a world championship which will soon be held in Japan. Miho Nishizumi, who comes from a lineage of well-respected senshadou specialists, is at odds with the sport after a traumatic event led to her retirement and eventually a rift to form between her and her family. To steer clear of the practice as much as possible, she transfers to Ooarai Girls Academy where the senshadou program has been abolished. However, with the news of the upcoming championships, the school revives their tankery program, and Miho is pushed into joining. Now, with the aid of some new friends, she must overcome her past and once again take command of a squadron of tanks in an effort to save her school from closure, all while proving to her family that the Nishizumi-style of senshadou is not solely about victory. I remember watching it for the same reason as Milky Holmes - for meme potential. It's crazy and unusual, but I did not find it particularly interesting in any way. For me it's nothing different from any other anime about cute girls participating in some club activities like strikeball.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Little Busters! リトルバスターズ! [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3/26) Tags: School Comedy, Drama, Supernatural As a child, Riki Naoe shut himself from the world, thanks to a diagnosis of narcolepsy following the tragic deaths of his parents. However, Riki is saved when, one fateful day, a boy named Kyousuke recruits him into a team who call themselves the Little Busters. Accompanied by Masato, Kengo, and Rin, these misfits spend their childhood fighting evil and enjoying their youth. Years pass, and even in high school, the well-knit teammates remain together. Kyousuke decides to re-ignite the Little Busters by forming a baseball team as it will be his last school year with them. They have a problem though: there aren't enough members! The tables have turned, for it is now Riki's turn to reach out and recruit new friends into the Little Busters, just like Kyousuke had once done for him. Then, an omen surfaces—Rin finds a strange letter attached to her cat, assigning them the duty of uncovering the "secret of this world" by completing specific tasks. Just what is this secret, and why is it being hidden? It's up to the Little Busters to find out! I tried it a lot of times, because a cheerful friendship story with some twist and many interesting backgrounds is difficult to fail. But don't underestimate Key - because they suck at literally everything. Absolutely silly cliche centered dialogues and fast recourse to violence is called humor here. I'm sure it is, but only in kindergarten. Those who aren't satisfied can enjoy antics. Characters are so dumb that it may be contagious. Total averageness and lack of any direction.   Overall Rating: 5/10   21. Jormungand: Perfect Order Jormungand Season 2: Perfect Order ヨルムンガンド PERFECT ORDER [White Fox] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Organized Crime Action, Adventure Still in pursuit of her ambitious goal, ingenious arms dealer Koko Hekmatyar, inexpressive child soldier Jonathan “Jonah” Mar, and the rest of their squad continue their mercenary activities. From professional assassins to private militaries, the group's work constantly puts them in the face of danger. But internal conflicts soon arise after Renato "R" Socci, one of Koko's bodyguards, is revealed to be an undercover agent for "Operation Undershaft"—a plan devised by the CIA to infiltrate HCLI and exploit Koko as a tool. Shocked by his betrayal, Koko's leadership is needed now more than ever to rally her squad and rebuild their foundation of trust before they are torn apart. Jormungand: Perfect Order follows Koko and the rest of her crew as they take on persistent adversaries, overcome internal struggles, and make Koko's vision of world peace a reality—where everything is in perfect order. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Robotics;Notes ロボティクス・ノーツ [Production I.G] (Finished 22/22) Tags: Mecha, School Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi It has always been the aspiration of the Central Tanegashima High School Robotics Research Club to complete the GunPro1, a fully functioning giant robot. For years, the members of the club have contributed to its progress and it is now Akiho Senomiya's goal to finally make the dream of all the past club members become a reality. However, things are not as easy as they seem as the club lacks the funding for such a huge endeavor. Aside from that, the only other club member, Kaito Yashio, shows no interest in assisting his childhood friend and instead indulges in playing mecha-fighting games on his "PokeCom." As Kaito is in the middle of wasting his days, he receives an indecipherable message and hears a voice that seems to be drowned out by the noise of static. He searches for the source, only to realize that it came from Airi Yukifune, an AI which only exists within the augmented reality system accessible via the PokeCom. Robotic;Notes follows the story of Kaito as he discovers a peculiar report in Airi's database, one that would have disastrous consequences in the future. Club about building rockets or robots is one of the most sore plots possible for me. Characters are ok, but otherwise it's extremely boring. I fell asleep over it more times than over any other anime.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Initial D Fifth Stage 頭文字 D Fifth Stage  [SynergySP] (Finished 1/14) Tags: Seinen Racing Action, Drama After earning a series of difficult victories in the prefectures of Tochigi, Saitama, and Ibaraki, the drivers of Project D—an amateur street driving group led by ex-street driver and expert tactician Ryousuke Takahashi—Takumi Fujiwara and Keisuke Takahashi now have to take Project D to the next level: the Kanagawa prefecture, commonly known as the holy land of street racing. Their opponents, members of the three best street racing teams of Kanagawa, design an elaborate strategy called the "Four Lines of Defense" to put a definitive end to the ambitions of Project D. Meanwhile, Takumi feels he needs to refine his driving skills to overcome the last victory against Toshiya Joushima that he only just managed to snatch. The moment of truth has now come for Project D, which carries with it the hopes of the Gunma Prefecture; will they manage to thwart the surprising tactics of the skilled street racers of Kanagawa? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Medaka Box Abnormal めだかボックス アブノーマル [Gainax] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Martial Arts, School, Super Power Action, Comedy, Ecchi After the defeat of Myouri Unzen at the hands of Medaka Kurokami and her Student Council, peace has returned to Hakoniwa Academy—at least, for a short while. Soon, Medaka, Zenkichi Hitoyoshi, Kouki Akune, and Mogana Kikaijima find themselves wrapped up in another sinister scheme, known as the "Flask Plan," led by the school's principal himself. However, the council's first problem is to deal with a whole new group of superhuman students calling themselves the "Thirteen Party," led by the egotistical but powerful Oudo Miyakonojou. With the mysterious Flask Plan, Oudo's tyranny, and the resurfacing of an old enemy, the state of Hakoniwa Academy is far from tranquil, and Medaka and her companions have their hands full as things only get a lot more abnormal. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Ixion Saga DT イクシオン サーガ DT [Brain's Base] (Finished 25/25) Tags: Isekai Action, Comedy, Fantasy One day as Kon Hokaze is playing an MMORPG, he receives a request from a female character in the game. He thinks that he has lucked out and found a girlfriend online, but suddenly he finds himself transported into the world of Mira where he accidentally saves a young princess by landing on her attacker with his swivel chair. With no idea how he got there nor how to get back to his own world, Kon tags along with the princess as part of her honor guard while a militant faction of the princess's own country seeks to capture her before she can complete her arranged marriage. I like almost all humor a lot here. But there's zero story, just character interaction and humor, and that wears off eventually if watched in large gulps. And with this size humor can get slightly repetitive. It felt like a firm masterpiece for the first half, but eventually I settled with lower one.   Overall Rating: 7/10   26. Hayate no Gotoku! Can't Take My Eyes Off You Hayate the Combat Butler: Can't Take My Eyes Off You ハヤテのごとく! CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU [Manglobe] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, Parody Comedy Taking place one month after the events that occurred in the movie Heaven is a Place on Earth. Living at the Sanzenin Mansion once again, Nagi returns to her old ways of life, until she receives word from American authorities informing her that she has a week to pick up her late father's belongings that was indefinitely delayed due to various circumstances. After receiving news of her father whom she doesn't remember, Nagi then meets a mysterious girl (with a hidden agenda) claiming to be Nagi's little sister. The series tells a new story that is original to the anime and not directly based on the manga. The main author of the original series Kenjiro Hata personally created the original concept for the story of this anime. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Aikatsu! アイカツ！アイドルカツドウ！ [Sunrise, Bandai Namco Pictures] (Finished 1/178) Tags: Shoujo Idols (Female), Music, School Slice of Life An idol's brilliance illuminates the dreams of humanity. Starlight Academy, a holy ground for celebrities in training, seeks to realize this belief. Behind its rigorous entrance requirements lie not only the top young stars in the entertainment business, but some of the best memories these students will ever have. Or so Aoi Kiriya believes. Alongside her best friend Ichigo, Aoi decides to apply for the prestigious private school in hopes of living up to the praise of the biggest idol in the world: Mizuki Kanzaki. As they journey through the numerous laughs, friendships, and heartbreaks that await them, can the two girls light up the lives of others as Mizuki has done for them? Whether it be chopping down Christmas trees, traversing obstacle courses, or even rock climbing, there's always a playful new adventure to be found in the world of Aikatsu!. 3DCGI dances and collection cards are red flags for me, but overall a normal idol anime that you expect it to be .   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Yu☆Gi☆Oh! Zexal Second Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal II 遊☆戯☆王ZEXALⅡ（セカンド） [Gallop] (Finished 1/73) Tags: Shounen Strategy Game Action, Fantasy After defeating a mysterious enemy, Yuuma Tsukumo, along with the help of Kaito Tenjou and Ryouga "Shark" Kamishiro, has thwarted the Barians' plans. However, Yuuma is still on a quest to retrieve the Number Cards to restore Astral's memories. The Seven Barian Emperors catch wind of Yuuma and Astral's endeavors and begin to collect the cards themselves to achieve their ultimate goal: destroying Astral's world in exchange for saving their own. Though only five of the emperors are present, they unanimously decide on annihilating Astral and Yuuma once and for all. Elsewhere, with their newfound powers of ZEXAL, Astral and Yuuma work to eliminate the enemy force that threatens Earth and the rest of the universe. Yu☆Gi☆Oh! Zexal Second unveils the mysteries and unpleasant surprises that lie in the wake of Yuuma's adversities. As Astral struggles to accept his past and the consequences it may have brought, will the gods continue to shower their fortune upon Yuuma on yet another perilous adventure? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   29. Busou Shinki Busou Shinki: Armored War Goddess 武装神姫 [8bit] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Mecha Action, Sci-Fi, Slice of Life The slice-of-life battle story is set in a future that has neither World War III nor an alien invasion—just an ordinary future set after our current age. In this world, robots are part of everyday life, and they contribute in various aspects of society. "Shinki" are 15-centimeter-tall (about 6-inch-tall) cute partners made to assist humans. Equipped with intelligence and emotions, they devote themselves to serving their "Masters." These Shinki can even be equipped with weapons and armor to fight each other. Such Shinki are named "Busou Shinki" (literally, "armed divine princesses"). In particular, the Shinki Ann (Arnval), Aines (Altines), and Lene (Altlene) serve a high school freshman named Masato. Things change when a new Shinki, the bellicose Strarf, joins them. Not finding interesting battles of toy robots or avatars like in Angelic Layer. It's totally the same, plus typical SOL here.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Hidamari Sketch x Honeycomb ひだまりスケッチ×ハニカム [Shaft] (Finished 1/12) Tags: CGDCT, Iyashikei, School, Visual Arts Comedy Studying at the Yamabuki Arts High School has been a dream-come-true for Yuno, and she's learned so much already! And not just from her instructors, but from her friends and neighbors who've become her second family and made the Hidamari Apartments such a safe and nurturing home. But as the day of her "big sisters" Sae and Hiro's graduation draws slowly closer, it's time for Yuno to start seriously taking on the same role for Nazuna, Nori and the other budding young artists who've entered Hidamari's protective cocoon. And it's also time to tackle some really challenging artistic assignments. That doesn't mean there won't still be time for fun with Miyako and all the others, but it's definitely time to pencil in her plans for the future. And sometimes that means you have to put the art before the course! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   31. Juusen Battle Monsuno Monsuno: World Master 獣旋バトル モンスーノ [Larx Entertainment] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Action, Adventure  Chase Suno and his friends, Jinja and Bren, are on a search for Chase's father, Jeredy Suno. However, they soon become involved in something else upon reaching their father's lab and becoming involved with an organism known as Monsuno. Chase, choosing to side with his father's work, denies S.T.O.R.M. access to the Monsuno and escapes. They are now on the run from the military organization, S.T.O.R.M., while still looking for Chase's father. However, a mysterious organization also has his eyes set on Chase and the group's Monsuno. Another pokemon reinvention with a bit older characters.   Overall Rating: 5/10   32. Chousoku Henkei Gyrozetter 超速変形ジャイロゼッター [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Mecha, Racing Action In 21st century Japan, cars with artificial intelligence for increased safety, known as "A.I. cars," have revolutionized the car industry. Special schools teaching children driving A.I. cars have been established. One day, Kakeru Todoroki, a fifth grader of Arcadia Academy, was summoned by the school principal and given an A.I. car "to save the humanity by chosen drivers like you." The car, however, is not just a car but also a transforming robot known as "Gyrozetter." For those who still aren't tired of Transformers.   Overall Rating: 5/10   33. Arata naru Sekai: World's/Start/Load/End World's End アラタなるセカイ WORLD'S/START/LOAD/END [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Time Travel Sci-Fi Four high school girls in uniforms walk silently on the barren earth. These girls are time travelers who had been sent 6000 years into the future, from their present in which the same day is endlessly repeated, in order to evade human extinction. They studied time travel in school, were examined by the aptitude test, and were sent to the future as told. What should they do now? They had no idea. The only thing they could take with them from the present was a light, toy-like cellphone. Of course, it receives no signal here. As the girls are walking, they see strange birds flying in the sky, and a discolored river in the distance. Then, one girl finds an abandoned house, and recognizes the name inscribed on the front gates. Travelling to future without any purpose is very lightminded. So it becomes exploration without any purpose. It is unwise to expect a decent ending out of this.   Overall Rating: 5/10   34. Usogui 嘘喰い [Soft Garage, Shueisha] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen High Stakes Game, Psychological, Strategy Game There are gamblers out there who even bet their lives as ante. But to secure the integrity of these life-threatening gambles, a violent and powerful organization by the name of "Kagerou" referees these games as a neutral party. Follow Bak Madarame a.k.a. Usogui (The Lie Eater) as he gambles against maniacal opponents at games—such as Escape the Abandoned Building, Old Maid, and Hangman—to ultimately "out-gamble" and control the neutral organization of Kagerou itself. Not translated. Very similar to Kaiji, but begins without introductions from Hangman arc. And Kaiji was still better.   Overall Rating: 5/10   35. Dogra Magra ドグラ・マグラ [-] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Mystery, Sci-Fi  An animated adaptation of Yumeno Kyuusaku's sci-fi novel Dogura Magura. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   36. Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版:Q [Khara] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mecha, Psychological Action, Award Winning, Drama, Sci-Fi  Fourteen years after the Third Impact, the Earth is a post-apocalyptic wasteland, human civilization is in ruins, and the people Shinji Ikari knows are almost unrecognizable. Trapped inside Evangelion Unit-01, he is recovered from space by Asuka Langley Shikinami and Mari Illustrious Makinami, only to find himself a prisoner of WILLE, a military faction led by his former guardian Misato Katsuragi. Cold and bitter, his former allies view him with suspicion and refuse to support him as he comes to terms with the consequences of his actions. A hurt and confused Shinji is rescued from WILLE by Rei Ayanami and returned to NERV headquarters. There, he meets and quickly befriends the enigmatic Kaworu Nagisa, who offers him warmth and insight into the state of NERV's war with the Angels. But Shinji and Kaworu's brief respite lies on the eve of a new battle, one in which Shinji finds that his enemies are no longer Angels but former comrades. In this bitter confrontation to determine the future of the world, Shinji will learn first-hand that the past truly cannot be undone. Finally continuation of the story after two recap movies. Or so I thought. But main difference is Asuka does not have left eye, Shinji wakes up after 14 years of slumber, and Kaoru is introduced to Shinji only now.. Then ending of original movie is retold... So, these reinstallment movies just rewrite original canon as desired. After original movie that put a logical end we get a lot of BS now again just in order produce more movies. I'd say skip entirely unless some chaotic action is welcome.   Overall Rating: 5/10   37. Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Movie 1: Hajimari no Monogatari Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 1: Beginnings 劇場版 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ 始まりの物語 [Shaft] (Finished 1/1) Madoka Kaname and her best friend Sayaka Miki are ordinary middle school students in the city of Mitakihara. But one day, they encounter a strange cat-like creature named Kyuubey, who claims he can grant them one wish. In exchange, they would become magical girls and fight against evil perpetrated by witches. A veteran magical girl in the area, Mami Tomoe, decides to show them how to hunt witches, while the mysterious transfer student Homura Akemi warns them to not take Kyuubey's deal, though she refuses to say why. However, after witnessing the brutal reality of fighting witches, the girls decide it may be safer to decline Kyuubey's offer. But when another magical girl arrives in the city and Sayaka decides to make a wish to help the one she loves, things quickly escalate as they are confronted with the harsh truth behind their powers and the ultimate price of their wishes. Recap of the series that was was not needed in first place.   Overall Rating: 4/10   38. Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Movie 2: Eien no Monogatari Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 2: Eternal 劇場版 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ 永遠の物語 [Shaft] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mahou Shoujo, Psychological Drama, Suspense Though Sayaka Miki's wish was fulfilled, the unforeseen consequences that came with it overwhelm her, causing her soul gem to become tainted as she succumbs to despair and eventually loses her humanity. Homura Akemi reveals to Kyouko Sakura and Madoka Kaname the ultimate fate of magical girls: once their soul gem becomes tainted, it transforms into a Grief Seed, and they are reborn as witches—a truth Homura learned only through repeating history countless times in a bid to prevent Madoka's tragedy. Kyuubey only compounds their despair when he confesses his true intentions: to harness the energy created from magical girls and use it to prolong the life of the universe. As the threat of Walpurgisnacht, a powerful witch, looms overhead, Homura once again vows to protect Madoka and the world from a grim fate. Caught between honoring Homura's wish and saving the world, which one will Madoka choose in the end? Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Movie 2: Eien no Monogatari is a story of inescapable destiny, and an unlikely hero who could change it all. Recap of the series that was was not needed in first place.   Overall Rating: 4/10   39. Nerawareta Gakuen Psychic School Wars ねらわれた学園 [Sunrise] (Finished 1/1) Tags: School Romance, Sci-Fi Very little changes in Kenji Seki's daily routine. Every morning, he takes his dog to the beach in the hopes of catching a glimpse of his classmate, Kahori Harukawa, while she surfs. Afterward, he meets up with his neighbor and childhood friend, Natsuki Suzuura, and they walk to school. In essence, he lives an idyllic life where the only thing he has to worry about is how to finally confess his feelings to Kahori. The routineness of Kenji's life is interrupted by the arrival of a mysterious transfer student. Ryouichi Kyougoku, who claims to be a psychic, has both the charisma and popularity that Kenji has always dreamed of. Before long, Kahori begins to show feelings for Ryouichi, and Natsuki becomes distant whenever Kenji tries to talk about his feelings. As Kenji's life is thrown into disarray, how will Ryouichi's arrival impact those around him? Nerawareta Gakuen follows these formerly typical high schoolers as they become involved with the supernatural. I don't remember a single good story about psychics, and this one only adds to the number of buried ones. Total confusion, waste of time.   Overall Rating: 5/10   40. Fuse: Teppou Musume no Torimonochou Fusé: Memoirs of a Huntress 伏 鉄砲娘の捕物帳 [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical Action, Drama, Supernatural In Kyokutei Bakin's classic Japanese epic novel Nansou Satomi Hakkenden, eight samurai serve the Satomi clan during Japan's tumultuous Sengoku (Warring States) era. The Edo-era samurai are the reincarnations of the spirits that Princess Fuse mothered with a dog named Yatsufusa. In Fuse Gansaku: Satomi Hakkenden, the female hunter Hamaji comes to her brother in order to hunt Fuse. Thus, the karmic cycle of retribution that began long ago with the Satomi family begins anew. Karmic circles and reincarnations are way out of my interest. Characters behave irrationally, and story is really bad. Another time sink.   Overall Rating: 5/10   41. Mass Effect: Paragon Lost マスエフェクト～失われたパラゴン  [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi  Mass Effect: Paragon Lost is the prequel to the highly-anticipated Mass Effect 3 and follows the early career of Alliance Marine, James Vega. Vega leads an elite Special Forces squad into battle against a mysterious alien threat known as The Collectors. Stationed at a colony in a remote star system, Vega and his soldiers must protect the civilians from a ruthless invasion determined to capture the population for unknown purposes. Learn more about the Mass Effect universe with an unprecedented glimpse into the haunted past of Mass Effect's newest hero! I don't consider Mass Effect a good franchise - totally artificial and generic. Movie is on par with it, just without charismatic companions.   Overall Rating: 5/10   42. Gothicmade: Hana no Utame GOTHICMADE -ゴティックメード 花の詩女- [Automatic Flowers Studio] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Mecha Romance, Sci-Fi On a tiny colony world named Carmine, young women known as Songstresses inherit the generation memories of those who came before them, using their knowledge to help a populace that suffers under the harsh policies of the ruling interplanetary league. Newly reborn as a Songstress, 16-year-old Bellin Ajelli sets off a holy pilgrimage across the planet. Rumors of a possible terrorist attack result in Prince Truhallon of the militant Donau Empire being sent in to protect her, but his very presence is the antithesis of everything Bellin stands for. The two are as different as night and day, but they're stuck together until they reach the capital. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10
  4. 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
  5. kivandopulus
    Shingeki no Kyojin is often called main anime of the decade for a reason. There's also a sprinking of honorable masterpieces - Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. , Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai. , Aku no Hana and Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Ghost in the Shell - Border:1 Ghost Pain .   1. Shingeki no Kyojin Attack on Titan 進撃の巨人 [Wit Studio] (Finished 25/25) Tags: Shounen Gore, Military, Survival Action, Award Winning, Drama, Suspense Centuries ago, mankind was slaughtered to near extinction by monstrous humanoid creatures called Titans, forcing humans to hide in fear behind enormous concentric walls. What makes these giants truly terrifying is that their taste for human flesh is not born out of hunger but what appears to be out of pleasure. To ensure their survival, the remnants of humanity began living within defensive barriers, resulting in one hundred years without a single titan encounter. However, that fragile calm is soon shattered when a colossal Titan manages to breach the supposedly impregnable outer wall, reigniting the fight for survival against the man-eating abominations. After witnessing a horrific personal loss at the hands of the invading creatures, Eren Yeager dedicates his life to their eradication by enlisting into the Survey Corps, an elite military unit that combats the merciless humanoids outside the protection of the walls. Eren, his adopted sister Mikasa Ackerman, and his childhood friend Armin Arlert join the brutal war against the Titans and race to discover a way of defeating them before the last walls are breached. Does not need introduction.   Overall Rating: 10/10   2. Hataraku Maou-sama! The Devil is a Part-Timer! はたらく魔王さま! [White Fox] (Finished 4/13) Tags: Mythology, Romantic Subtext, Workplace Comedy, Fantasy Striking fear into the hearts of mortals, the Demon Lord Satan begins to conquer the land of Ente Isla with his vast demon armies. However, while embarking on this brutal quest to take over the continent, his efforts are foiled by the hero Emilia, forcing Satan to make his swift retreat through a dimensional portal only to land in the human world. Along with his loyal general Alsiel, the demon finds himself stranded in modern-day Tokyo and vows to return and complete his subjugation of Ente Isla—that is, if they can find a way back! Powerless in a world without magic, Satan assumes the guise of a human named Sadao Maou and begins working at MgRonald's—a local fast-food restaurant—to make ends meet. He soon realizes that his goal of conquering Ente Isla is just not enough as he grows determined to climb the corporate ladder and become the ruler of Earth, one satisfied customer at a time! Whether it's part-time work, household chores, or simply trying to pay the rent on time, Hataraku Maou-sama! presents a hilarious view of the most mundane aspects of everyday life, all through the eyes of a hapless demon lord. Dropped it earlier, and no miracle happened now. As story shits to just reaction to attacks from fantasy world, story disintegrates and with that humor too, so I see nothing to linger for.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU やはり俺の青春ラブコメはまちがっている。 [Brain's Base] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Love Polygon, School Comedy, Romance Hachiman Hikigaya is an apathetic high school student with narcissistic and semi-nihilistic tendencies. He firmly believes that joyful youth is nothing but a farce, and everyone who says otherwise is just lying to themselves. In a novel punishment for writing an essay mocking modern social relationships, Hachiman's teacher forces him to join the Volunteer Service Club, a club that aims to extend a helping hand to any student who seeks their support in achieving their goals. With the only other club member being the beautiful ice queen Yukino Yukinoshita, Hachiman finds himself on the front line of other people's problems—a place he never dreamed he would be. As Hachiman and Yukino use their wits to solve many students' problems, will Hachiman's rotten view of society prove to be a hindrance or a tool he can use to his advantage? I love such romcoms with serious protagonist, but this one is not super memorable after some time, so can't rate it too high.   Overall Rating: 7/10   4. Date A Live デート・ア・ライブ [AIC PLUS+] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Harem, Mecha, School Romance, Sci-Fi Thirty years ago, the Eurasian continent was devastated by a supermassive "spatial quake"—a phenomenon involving space vibrations of unknown origin—resulting in the deaths of over 150 million people. Since then, these quakes have been plaguing the world intermittently, albeit on a lighter scale. Shidou Itsuka is a seemingly average high school student who lives with his younger sister, Kotori. When an imminent spatial quake threatens the safety of Tengu City, he rushes to save her, only to be caught in the resulting eruption. He discovers a mysterious girl at its source, who is revealed to be a "Spirit," an otherworldly entity whose appearance triggers a spatial quake. Soon after, he becomes embroiled in a skirmish between the girl and the Anti-Spirit Team, a ruthless strike force with the goal of annihilating Spirits. However, there is a third party that believes in saving the spirits: "Ratatoskr," which surprisingly is commanded by Shidou's little sister! Kotori forcibly recruits Shidou after the clash, presenting to him an alternative method of dealing with the danger posed by the Spirits—make them fall in love with him. Now, the fate of the world rests on his dating prowess, as he seeks out Spirits in order to charm them. There are few watchable harems, and, with a typical protagonist like that, it's is not one of them. And subsequent seasons feel even worse (which I only sampled for mixing up with No Game No Life).   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko. The "Hentai" Prince and the Stony Cat. 変態王子と笑わない猫。 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Supernatural Youto Yokodera wants to be seen in a way different from most men: as a pervert. However, his lewd actions are often misinterpreted as good intentions, and people cannot see his true nature. Upon hearing rumors of a cat statue that can banish an unwanted trait, he searches for it and prays for his façade to be removed. But each wish comes at a price: those unwelcomed traits are transferred to someone else who desires them! After realizing that vocalizing his dirty thoughts is not the best thing, Youto decides to regain his lost traits by seeking out the person who received them. Unfortunately, he was not alone in praying to the cat statue, and now he must not only fix his life, but the lives of others as well. Another harem that I inevitably dumped before. A perverted protagonist who is forced to harass and abuse girls verbally does not feel right to me. Watching it is like a chore to me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai. Oreimo 2 俺の妹がこんなに可愛いわけがない。 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Otaku Culture Comedy, Romance The diehard otaku Kirino Kousaka has returned and settled back into life in Japan with her friends and family. Despite what her older brother Kyousuke has previously done for her, Kirino continues to give him the cold shoulder, much to his frustration. He is worried that his persuasion for Kirino to drop her track and field training in America and return home may have severely strained his relationship with her. On top of that, Kyousuke now also has to decode a bold and cryptic message from Ruri "Kuroneko" Gokou, his junior at school as well as Kirino's friend. As the ties between the two siblings and their friends deepen, Kirino and Kyousuke will soon have to figure out how they want to deal with these relationships, helping each other realize their own feelings in the process. In spite of that, Kirino still manages to find time to satisfy her otaku needs with the company of her brother. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 7/10   7. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S A Certain Scientific Railgun S とある科学の超電磁砲S [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Super Power Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi Mikoto Misaka and her friends are back, investigating rumors across Academy City. Soon, Mikoto discovers something terrifying: horrific experiments are taking place throughout the city, involving the murder of thousands of espers. Moreover, these espers are far from just ordinary people: they are clones of Mikoto herself. Feeling responsible for their treatment, she sets off to put an end to the experiments; however, the forces opposing her are much more dangerous than she anticipated, and Mikoto finds herself up against some of the most powerful espers imaginable. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S continues the story of the Railgun as she desperately fights to put an end to the inhuman experiments that she believes she helped cause, her life dragged deep into despair in the process. There's never a dull moment in Academy City, but no one ever said all of them would be pleasant. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   8. Suisei no Gargantia Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet 翠星のガルガンティア [Production I.G] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Mecha Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi  In the distant future, a majority of humans have left the Earth, and the Galactic Alliance of Humanity is founded to guide exploration and ensure the prosperity of mankind. However, a significant threat arises in the form of strange creatures called Hideauze, resulting in an interstellar war to prevent humanity's extinction. Armed with Chamber, an autonomous robot, 16-year-old lieutenant Ledo of the Galactic Alliance joins the battle against the monsters. In an unfortunate turn of events, Ledo loses control during the battle and is cast out to the far reaches of space, crash-landing on a waterlogged Earth. On the blue planet, Gargantia—a large fleet of scavenger ships—comes across Chamber and retrieves it from the ocean, thinking they have salvaged something of value. Mistaking their actions for hostility, Ledo sneaks aboard and takes a young messenger girl named Amy hostage, only to realize that the residents of Gargantia are not as dangerous as he had believed. Faced with uncertainty, and unable to communicate with his comrades in space, Ledo attempts to get his bearings and acclimate to a new lifestyle. But his peaceful days are about to be short-lived, as there is more to this ocean-covered planet than meets the eye. Synopsis is ok, but but with this kind of pacing content is incredibly boring, and I tried it at least twice.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Aku no Hana Flowers of Evil 惡の華 [Zexcs] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Shounen Psychological, School Drama, Romance Takao Kasuga, a high school student fascinated by poetry, reveres Charles Baudelaire and even decorates his room with the poet's portrait. On a normal day, Takao forgets his copy of The Flowers of Evil in the classroom. When returning to retrieve it, he steals the sports garments of Nanako Saeki—a model student who Takao calls his muse and a femme fatale. Deeply ashamed of his act which he sees as a sin and what others see as a crime, Takao realizes with horror that Sawa Nakamura, his classmate and social outcast, knows about his theft. Blackmailed by her, Takao is now forced to partake in Sawa's disturbing fantasies, lest she reveals his deeds to everyone. Caught in a negative spiral of increasingly traumatic experiences, will Takao be able to break free from Sawa's thorns and atone for his sins? Loved it a lot when first watched it, but needed to rewatch to remember how much. Story is rather questionable even though artistic execution is genius. And I can say that it's somewhat stretched. Moreover, protagonist is a huge irritation. It end with "End of part I" and continuation never came, so it's not really finished story. With all that, honorary masterpiece should be ok here. Overall Rating: 7/10   10. Karneval (TV) Karneval カーニヴァル [Manglobe] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Josei Action, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi While in search of his precious friend, a young boy named Nai falls captive to a beautiful woman, whose looks are matched only by her taste for human flesh. Meanwhile Gareki, a clever thief, is in the midst of robbing her luxurious home. After causing a distraction, Gareki agrees to help Nai escape, but they are discovered upon the woman's return. As she transforms into a ghoulish monster, the boys flee. On the run, Nai and Gareki are found by "Circus," a government defense agency that deals with criminal activity too difficult for the police to handle and protects civilians from "varuga"—terrible monsters that devour humans for sustenance. In the hope that it will lead Nai to his missing friend, he and Gareki decide to join Circus. On their perilous journey, they face dangerous varuga and begin to uncover the secrets behind a shadowy organization known as Kafka. Josei mystery with bishounens is worrying from the start. Story of monster-hunting done by circus guys is shallow, and overall execution is on a very low level.   Overall Rating: 5/10   11. Haiyore! Nyaruko-san W Nyaruko: Crawling With Love! Second Season 這いよれ！ニャル子さん W [Xebec] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Parody Comedy, Sci-Fi Nyaruko still wants Mahiro, as does Hasuta. Kūko wants Nyaruko, but believes both Nyaruko's and Mahiro's "first time" belongs to her. Yoriko puts up with all of it and cheerfully runs the house where they all live. Mahiro just wants some sanity. He doesn't want to be the love toy of a Nyarlathotepan, Cthughan, or a shots-like Hasturan. He may or may not hold out. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   12. Kakumeiki Valvrave Valvrave the Liberator 革命機ヴァルヴレイヴ [Sunrise] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Mecha, Military, Space Action, Sci-Fi In the 71st year of the True Era, humans have successfully expanded into space and have started living in independent galactic colonies. The world itself is split between two major nations: the Atlantic Rim United States (ARUS) and the Dorssia Military Pact Federation (Dorssia)—superpowers that wage war against each other on Earth and far into outer space. In this war-torn era, a third faction comprised of Japan and Islands of the Oceanian Republic (JIOR), reside peacefully and prosper economically, maintaining neutrality between themselves and their militant neighbors. Kakumeiki Valvrave commences in an outer space JIOR colony, where 17-year-old Haruto Tokishima's peaceful life is turned upside down as a sudden Dorssian fleet breaches the neutral colony. Their objective is to seize the Valvraves: powerful, but rumored mechanized weapons hidden deep within Haruto's school, Sakimori Academy. In the ensuing chaos, Haruto stumbles upon one of the targeted Valvraves. With his friends' lives in peril, Haruto enters the mecha and seals a contract for its power in exchange for his humanity. With the aid of L-elf—an enigmatic Dorssian agent and gifted strategist—Haruto and the Valvrave initiate a revolution to liberate the world. It feels like fusion or Gundam + Banner + Code Geass + vampires. But all the efforts went to visuals and designs, so shallow story is buried under layers of banalities.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Devil Survivor 2 The Animation デビルサバイバー２ THE ANIMATION [Bridge] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Mythology, Survival Action, Supernatural The countdown to extinction begins on Sunday with the arrival of the Septentriones, otherworldly invaders set on the eradication of mankind. Caught in the crossfire, Hibiki Kuze and his friends join in the war for humanity's survival by signing contracts with demons to become "Devil Summoners." Soon, their abilities attract the attention of JP's, an underground agency led by Yamato Houtsuin. Once recruited into JP's, Hibiki and his friends fight and bond alongside other ordinary citizens who are Devil Summoners. However, with each new day, another Septentrione appears to wreak havoc upon Japan. Even if many lives are lost in the process, before that night ends, the young summoners must defeat the invaders at all costs. I really dislike Shin Megami Tensei for occultism focus and hectic rules. Adapting action-focused game to anime makes just an average supernatural action-packed anime.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Photokano フォトカノ [Madhouse] (Finished 1/13) Tags: School Romance, Ecchi Kazuya, a mild-mannered high school sophomore coming to the end of a very average summer break, receives a digital single lens reflex camera as a gift. His nerdy fascination with its design soon turns to wonder when he realizes this little gadget could really give his social life a shot in the arm! I don't know good anime about photography, let alone adaptations of dating sims. Cute banalities, as usual.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge The Severing Crime Edge 断裁分離のクライムエッジ [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Seinen Gore, High Stakes Game, Survival Action, Fantasy, Romance, Suspense Kiri Haimura has an obsession with beautiful hair—specifically, cutting it. This bizarre trait is what leads him to seek out a rumored long-haired ghost who lives in an abandoned house on a hill. However, he finds not a ghost, but a beautiful girl with long flowing hair named Iwai Mushanokouji, the "Hair Queen," whose hair cannot be cut due to a family curse. Iwai explains that there is a death game surrounding her, and that if she is killed by a cursed object, aptly named a "Killing Good," the wielder gets their wish granted. After protecting Iwai from "Authors"—Killing Goods users—he learns there is in fact a Killing Good passed down in his own family: a pair of scissors used by his ancestor to commit murders. Naming the scissors "The Severing Crime Edge," he finds that he is able to cut Iwai's cursed hair with them, setting her free to live a normal life. However, many Authors seek to kill the Hair Queen, and Kiri will have to protect her in this lethal game of fate. Just reading synopsis makes brain melt for the sheer amount of nonsense. But craze only multiplies, so I can't find answer to the question why watch it at all.   Overall Rating: 5/10   16. RDG: Red Data Girl Red Data Girl RDG レッドデータガール [P.A. Works] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Mythology, School Drama, Fantasy, Romance Fifteen-year-old Izumiko Suzuhara just wants to be a normal girl, but that is easier said than done. Raised in a shrine deep in the mountains, she grew up extremely sheltered and painfully shy. She also has the unfortunate tendency to destroy any electronic device simply by touching it. Despite this, she still wants to try and change her life. To mark her determination to follow through on this transformation, Izumiko begins by cutting her bangs, which shocks both her classmates and protectors. And that's only the start! Her guardian, Yukimasa Sagara, forces his son, Miyuki, to come to the mountain shrine and become Izumiko's lifelong servant and protector. Too bad Izumiko and Miyuki cannot stand each other. They have known each other since they were children, and Miyuki bullied her terribly. He simply does not understand what is so special about Izumiko. His father calls Izumiko a goddess, but that cannot be true…can it? Will Izumiko and Miyuki work past their differences? Is she actually a literal goddess? Find out in RDG: Red Data Girl! I tried every P.A.Works anime, but this one felt terribly boring even when I could watch SOL anime all day long. It lacks interesting story/characters/interactions, so it's closer to torture.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Yuyushiki ゆゆ式 [Kinema Citrus] (Finished 1/12) Tags:  CGDCT, Gag Humor, School Comedy The story follows the school life of the three girls, Yuzuko, Yukari, and Yui, who join their high school's Data Processing Club. The odd friendship between the three make for wacky humor in even the most mundane of events. Comedies need good character designs to be memorable. This one same as nichijou has very similar characters. Humor is mediocre, like stupid puns and random abuses. Just averageness.   Overall Rating: 5/10   18. Hyakka Ryouran: Samurai Bride Samurai Bride 百花繚乱 サムライブライド [Arms] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, Samurai, School Action, Comedy, Ecchi Second season of Hyakka Ryoran: Samurai Girls. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Mushibugyou Mushibugyo ムシブギョー 蟲奉行 [Seven Arcs Pictures] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Shounen Historical, Martial Arts, Samurai, Super Power Action, Adventure, Fantasy A menace of huge monster-like insects is plaguing the land of Edo. Too powerful to be subdued by ordinary folks, the creatures are hunted by the Insect Magistrates—a group of warriors who specialize in various secret arts and combat styles. To bolster their strength, they summon Genjuurou Tsukishima, the master swordsman from the Tsugaru Province. Due to an unfortunate incident, however, Genjuurou is incapable of answering the call and sends his son, Jinbee, to serve in his stead. Determined to atone for the incident caused by his own cowardice, Jinbee agrees to travel to Edo and join the Insect Magistrates. Armed with his fiery spirit and unwavering resolve, Jinbee vows to become a stronger samurai and rid Edo of the insect threat once and for all. Shounen about fighting giant insects in Edo. It's very predictable and mostly plays just as you imagine it to be in the crudest way possible.   Overall Rating: 5/10   20. Arata Kangatari Arata: The Legend アラタカンガタリ～革神語～ [Satelight] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Isekai Adventure, Fantasy As a young boy from a noble family in Amawakuni, Arata has always expected to make life his own—until word of the princess growing weak reaches his city. Unbeknown to him, his grandmother had claimed him to be female at birth, and now, with no other girls to succeed the princess from the matriarchal Hime clan, he is next in line for the throne! Disguised as a woman awaiting a replacement to be found, Arata witnesses an assassination attempt on the princess by none other than her own guard, the 12 Shinsho. The crime is pinned on his head, forcing Arata to escape to the Kando forest, where it is said that no one comes out the same. Meanwhile, in modern-day Japan, Arata Hinohara longs for escape from the cruelty of his classmates. Hearing his name called from an alley, he wanders from his path and unwittingly switches universes with Arata from Amawakuni. With his own power as a newly awakened "Sho"—a warrior able to wield Hayagami, weapons with the power of the gods—and the help of his companions he meets along his journey, Hinohara sets out to restore order to this new world. It does not feel like real isekai, because protagonist was so depressed that he wanted to disappear from his world just because some friends did not call him a real friend. Moreover, there's a side modern timeline with reverse isekai. Story is just running away and reacting with the aim to overthrow 12 high mutineers, so there's even no intrigue, why watch it at all.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Ginga Kikoutai Majestic Prince Majestic Prince 銀河機攻隊 マジェスティックプリンス [Doga Kobo, Orange] (Finished 2/24) Tags: Seinen Mecha, School, Space Action, Sci-Fi In the latter half of 21st century, humans leave the Earth and begin to live in space. In order to adapt to the environment in space and deal with the hostile aliens in Jupiter, genetically engineered children called "Princes" are artificially raised and trained to be pilots of armed robots "AHSMB (Advanced High Standard Multipurpose Battle Device). This is a story about one of the teenage "Princes," Hitachi O Izuru, who studies in an academic city Grandzehle. Not a bad mecha, but with children again. And there's no complexity - characters and emotions are simple and crude.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Inazuma Eleven Go: Galaxy イナズマイレブンＧＯ ギャラクシー [OLM] (Finished 1/43) Tags: Shounen Super Power, Team Sports After fighting to free the game of soccer in Japan from the Fifth Sector, the country's soccer squads can once again look forward to stepping onto the field. However, a new challenge will emerge for Japanese players in the form of the Football Frontier International Vision 2, a new tournament that will bring together the best teams each country can assemble. Tenma Matsukaze and his Raimon teammates, Takuto Shindou and Kyousuke Tsurugi, are once again part of the action as they have been selected to play for the Japanese representative, Inazuma Japan. Much to their surprise, the coach selects eight other players that have no previous experience playing soccer! Team Inazuma Japan will have a huge mountain to climb, building chemistry and skills as they go along. What they don’t know is that the tournament will set the stage for something much bigger, something out of this world in Inazuma Eleven Go: Galaxy! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   23. Hayate no Gotoku! Cuties Hayate the Combat Butler! Cuties ハヤテのごとく！ Cuties [Manglobe] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, Parody Comedy, Romance Taking place after the events that occurred in Hayate no Gotoku! Can't Take My Eyes off You. Hayate, Nagi and Maria return to their daily lives at the Sanzenin Mansion and the Violet Mansion. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Namiuchigiwa no Muromi-san Muromi-san 波打際のむろみさん [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Shounen Comedy, Fantasy, Slice of Life The docks provide a look into the very essence of ocean life—the calm, rhythmic sounds of the waves, the small bugs skittering across the pier, and—mermaids!? Takurou Mukoujima's quiet days spent fishing are no more when he reels in the energetic mermaid Muromi-san, who proceeds to entertain herself around her newfound friend, even if he is obviously disinterested. Now with a talkative and reckless companion always by his side, Takurou struggles to avoid getting caught up in Muromi-san's pace as she starts to invite her deep-sea friends, making the dock a popular gathering place for mythological creatures. Every day might be new and exciting, but all Takurou really wants is to fish in peace! Half-length episodes are here because it's silly gag comedy.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Yondemasu yo, Azazel-san. Z You're Being Summoned, Azazel Z よんでますよ、アザゼルさん。Z [ Production I.G] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Gag Humor, Mythology Comedy, Supernatural The second season of Yondemasu yo, Azazel-san. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   26. Zettai Bouei Leviathan Leviathan: The Last Defense 絶対防衛レヴィアタン [Gonzo] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Comedy, Fantasy  The story is set in Aquafall, a fantasy world abound with water and greenery, and populated by dragons and fairies. Meteorites suddenly bring forth evil creatures that threaten all living things on the planet. The fairy Syrup assembles the Aquafall Defense Force, with three girls of the dragon clans as recruits. The story follows Syrup and the dragon girls Leviathan, Bahamut, and Jörmungandr as they work together to battle enemies and grow up. Very random adventures and behavior. I'd say it's only a tad better than some Winx Club.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Pretty Rhythm: Rainbow Live プリティーリズム・レインボーライブ [Tatsunoko Production, Dongwoo A&E] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Shoujo Idols (Female), Music Sports Naru Ayase is an 8th grader who can see the colors of music when she listens to it. For Naru, who is extremely good at decorating, becoming the owner of a shop like Dear Crown was her dream. One day, she finds out that the manager of a newly-opened shop is recruiting middle school girls who can do Prism Dance, and immediately applies. Naru begins to Prism Dance at the audition, and an aura she's never experienced spreads out in front of her. At that moment, a mysterious girl named Rinne asks her if she can see "rainbow music." Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. DD Hokuto no Ken (2013) DD北斗の拳  [Ajia-do] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Parody It's a special project commemorating the 30th anniversary of Hokuto no Ken. It's ugly. And I dislike Hokuto too much to ever enjoy its parody.   Overall Rating: 5/10   29. Jewelpet Happiness ジュエルペット ハッピネス [Studio Comet] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Anthropomorphic, Mahou Shoujo Fantasy The series focuses on the main heroine Chiari Tsukikage and her friends on managing the Jewelpet Cafe. One day at the magical world of Jewel Land, Lady Jewelina entrusted Ruby the Magical Jewel Box with a mission to make friends and collect Magic Jewels. At the same time she needs to attend the Jewel Academy to do so and open a shop called the Jewelpet Cafe. However with her friends, things didn't go well as planned with several failed mishaps happened to her and the students being scared, in the point of Ruby giving up. But when she met a young girl named Chiari Tsukikage and decides to help, Ruby's life is about to change forever. Now, she and her friends now must work together for the cafe to prosper, stick together through good and bad luck as well as protecting the Jewel Box from being stolen. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   30. Danchi Tomoo 団地ともお [NHK, Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment] (Finished 1/78) Tags: Seinen Comedy It's a heartwarming and sometimes nonsense comedy about an elementary school boy Tomoo Kinoshita. Not translated. Japanese are good at SOL as usual, but without translation nothing to do here.   Overall Rating: 6/10   31. Balala Xiao Mo Xian: Qiji Wubu Balala the Fairies: Miracle Dance 巴啦啦小魔仙之奇迹舞步 [Alpha Animation] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Comedy, Fantasy The kingdom of Gemini is attacked by the evil Queen Halle. The twin princesses of the kingdom are missing, so is the important Night Star Box, which has affected planets including Earth. The fairy Queen had sent Prince You Le and Sally to Earth, looking for the Night Star Box with the help of Maggie and Michelle. Then the gang found out one of the girls who takes dance lessons with Maggie and Michelle is one of the missing princesses, Bei Bei! The mission to find the Night Star Box and the the still missing princess, Ya Ya, is now on the shoulder of the fairies. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   32. Shima Kousaku no Asia Risshi-den Shima Kosaku's Asian Entrepreneurs 島耕作のアジア立志伝 [NHK] (Finished 0/26) Tags: Seinen Drama  How did Asia's most prominent entrepreneurs know when to grasp opportunities? And how did they overcome difficulties and attain their positions of power? This series uses the unconventional technique of blending actual documentary footage with CG animation to get a close-up look into the front lines and what lies behind the scenes of Asian business. Our cartoon host is Shima Kosaku, a character from a popular Japanese business manga. He delves into the heart of the Asian economic market representing 4 billion people, to visit entrepreneurs who have survived turbulent times. Thai business magnate, Dhanin Chearavanont (Chairman of CP Group), and innovative Taiwanese semiconductor entrepreneur, Morris Chang (Chairman of TSMC), are among the many movers and shakers to be featured. Don't miss this opportunity to glimpse the dramatic lives of these media-shy business titans. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   33. Kotonoha no Niwa The Garden of Words 言の葉の庭 [CoMix Wave Films] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Visual Arts Award Winning, Drama, Romance On a rainy morning in Tokyo, Takao Akizuki, an aspiring shoemaker, decides to skip class to sketch designs in a beautiful garden. This is where he meets Yukari Yukino, a beautiful yet mysterious woman, for the very first time. Offering to make her new shoes, Takao continues to meet with Yukari throughout the rainy season, and without even realizing it, the two are able to alleviate the worries hidden in their hearts just by being with each other. However, their personal struggles have not disappeared completely, and as the end of the rainy season approaches, their relationship will be put to the test. The type of movie to send to concurs, which is not my type. All those romance works are overrated.   Overall Rating: 6/10   34. Steins;Gate Movie: Fuka Ryouiki no Déjà vu Steins;Gate: The Movie - Load Region of Déjà Vu  [White Fox] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama, Sci-Fi After a year in America, Kurisu Makise returns to Akihabara and reunites with Rintarou Okabe. However, their reunion is cut short when Okabe begins to experience recurring flashes of other timelines as the consequences of his time traveling start to manifest. These side effects eventually culminate in Okabe suddenly vanishing from the world, and only the startled Kurisu has any memory of his existence. In the midst of despair, Kurisu is faced with a truly arduous choice that will test both her duty as a scientist and her loyalty as a friend: follow Okabe's advice and stay away from traveling through time to avoid the potential consequences it may have on the world lines, or ignore it to rescue the person that she cherishes most. Regardless of her decision, the path she chooses is one that will affect the past, the present, and the future. I don't lie this sudden tilt into romance, and story does not really impress, More like fandisc.   Overall Rating: 6/10   35. Hal ハル [Wit Studio] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi  Kurumi is a beautiful young woman whose beloved boyfriend, Hal, died in a sudden airplane accident. Left heartbroken and gloomy, she isolates herself in a small house. But this soon comes to change when her grandfather requests the help of a humanoid robot named Q01. Taking on the appearance of Hal, Q01 is sent to Kurumi's house in order to save her from her state of despair. As Hal returns day after day and increases his efforts, Kurumi, despite her initial reluctance, slowly begins to open up to him and break free from her depression. But there is more to Hal than meets the eye, and these two will soon learn an unexpected truth about this relationship between a human and an android. Romance between human and AI is not the theme I can enjoy. Can't even call it a good romance story.   Overall Rating: 6/10   36. Aura: Maryuuin Kouga Saigo no Tatakai Aura: Koga Maryuin's Last War AURA～魔竜院光牙最後の闘い～ [AIC ASTA] (Finished 1/1) Tags: School Drama, Romance Ichirou Satou is an ordinary high school student who pretended that he was a hero by the name of "Maryuuin Kouga" back in middle school, which led to others frequently bullying him. Now that he has left this embarrassing phase behind, he does his best to avoid standing out and live a peaceful life, although he feels the world has become quite dull. But when he makes his way back to school one night to grab a textbook he left in class, he runs into a strange girl wearing a costume. This girl, Ryouko Satou, happens to be his classmate and is affected by the exact same condition that he once had, holding on to a delusion that she is someone else and dressing up to reflect this. The very next day, Ichirou is asked by his teacher to become friends with Ryouko, to which he adamantly refuses, unwilling to be reminded of his own history. When he sees that she is being bullied just as he once was, however, the boy makes it his responsibility to take care of her and break her free from that which what once plagued him—the perfect job for Maryuuin Kouga. Another reimagining of bullied chunibyou and this time with disappearance of Haruhi vibes. It's pretty stupid overall, as for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   37. Saint☆Oniisan (Movie) Saint☆Young Men (Movie) 聖☆おにいさん [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Comedy, Slice of Life After thousands of years of hard work, Jesus Christ and Gautama Buddha decide that they have earned a vacation and descend from the heavens to rent a small apartment in Tokyo, Japan. As the pair struggles to live incognito, they enjoy the luxuries of modern society, such as amusement parks, and limited-time store sales. Jesus and Buddha take the time to celebrate each other's holidays, watch the changing of the seasons, and explore their new surroundings. It's literally no story and silly jokes.   Overall Rating: 5/10   38. Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Ghost in the Shell - Border:1 Ghost Pain Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 1: Ghost Pain 攻殻機動隊ARISE -GHOST IN THE SHELL- border:1 Ghost Pain [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective, Mecha, Psychological Sci-Fi The anime's story is set in 2027, one year after the end of the fourth non-nuclear war. New Port City is still reeling from the war's aftermath when it suffers a bombing caused by a self-propelled mine. Then, a military member implicated in arms-dealing bribes is gunned down. During the investigation, Public Security Section's Daisuke Aramaki encounters Motoko Kusanagi, the cyborg wizard-level hacker assigned to the military's 501st Secret Unit. Batou, a man with the "eye that does not sleep," suspects that Kusanagi is the one behind the bombing. The Niihama Prefectural Police detective Togusa is pursuing his own dual cases of the shooting death and a prostitute's murder. Motoko herself is being watched by the 501st Secret Unit's head Kurutsu and cyborg agents. I don't like prequels so much, and this Kusanagi is not great. A lot of elements are snatched from before. It's still a memorable serious piece, so can't deny it a honorable masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 7/10   39. Crayon Shin-chan Movie 21: Bakauma! B-Kyuu Gourmet Survival Battle!! 映画クレヨンしんちゃん バカうまっ! B級グルメサバイバル!!  [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Adventure, Comedy, Gourmet  Comical adventure story starring Kasukabe Defense Forces and dealing with "food" as theme. Kasukabe Defense Forces (Shinnosuke and his mates: Kazama-kun, Nene-chan, Masao-kun and Bo-chan) decide to attend "B-class Gourmet Carnival", a big event in Kasukabe, without their parents, to eat very tasty yakisoba sauce cooked by "Sauce's Ken". On the way, a mystery woman asks them to bring a legendary sauce to Sauce's Ken. They head to the event site with the sauce, but they wander off into a mountain, and "A-class Gourmet Organization", an organization plotting to eliminate B-class gourmet, seeks to take the sauce away from them. Another vile organization, but at least location is calm and rural. Hardly any humor that I could like.   Overall Rating: 6/10
  6. kivandopulus
    Gin no Saji , Servant x Service and Kingdom 2nd Season are my favorites this season, but Servant x Service is more to my liking among new titles because of more mature characters and fresh focus. There are also honorable masterpieces Genshiken Nidaime and Gintama Movie 2: Kanketsu-hen - Yorozuya yo Eien Nare .   1. Danganronpa: Kibou no Gakuen to Zetsubou no Koukousei The Animation Danganronpa: The Animation ダンガンロンパ 希望の学園と絶望の高校生 THE ANIMATION  [Lerche] (Finished 3/13) Tags: High Stakes Game, Psychological, School, Survival Horror, Mystery Makoto Naegi, a teenager with no remarkable talent, is surprised to learn that he has been accepted into Hope's Peak Private Academy: an elite school that gathers the best students from various fields. Despite believing his admission was just a fluke, Naegi is delighted to attend an institution known for ensuring success to those who graduate. Determined, he enters the front doors of the prestigious academy. However, after losing consciousness inside, Naegi wakes up in a seemingly abandoned classroom. Failing to comprehend how he got there, Naegi begins to explore, and to his surprise, finds his classmates assembled in the gym. While everyone is trying to figure out what happened, they are confronted by the school principal—Monokuma, a robotic teddy bear. The mysterious toy explains that the freshmen are trapped inside the school with only one means of escape—kill a classmate without being discovered. Tension fills the air as Naegi and his classmates realize that they are faced with two choices: participate in Monokuma's killing game, or reside together in the school for the rest of their lives. It's a mystery and it's tied closely to detective murder investigation and puzzles, something like Umineko, and I love to hate such titles.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. High School DxD New ハイスクールD×D NEW  [TNK] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, Mythology, School Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi The misadventures of Issei Hyoudou, high school pervert and aspiring Harem King, continue on in High School DxD New. As the members of the Occult Research Club carry out their regular activities, it becomes increasingly obvious that there is something wrong with their Knight, the usually composed and alert Yuuto Kiba. Soon, Issei learns of Kiba's dark, bloody past and its connection to the mysterious Holy Swords. Once the subject of a cruel experiment, Kiba now seeks revenge on all those who wronged him. With the return of an old enemy, as well as the appearance of two new, Holy Sword-wielding beauties, it isn't long before Issei and his Devil comrades are plunged into a twisted plot once more. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Free! Free! - Iwatobi Swim Club  [Kyoto Animation, Animation Do] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Sports Haruka Nanase has a love for water and a passion for swimming. In elementary school, he competed in and won a relay race with his three friends Rin Matsuoka, Nagisa Hazuki, and Makoto Tachibana. After claiming victory at the tournament, the four friends went their separate ways. Years later, they reunite as high school students; however, Rin couldn't care less about returning to the way things used to be. Not only does he attend a different school, but the sole thing important to him is proving that he is a better swimmer than Haruka. After the bitter reunion, Haruka, Nagisa, and Makoto decide to form the Iwatobi High School Swim Club, but they will need a fourth member if they hope to take part in the upcoming tournament. Enter Rei Ryuugazaki, a former member of the track team whom Nagisa recruits. As the time to compete draws near, the four develop a close bond while training intensely to come out on top and settle things between Haruka and Rin once and for all. Boys' swim club feels super boring and nauseating to me, same as back then.   Overall Rating: 5/10   4. Blood Lad ブラッドラッド [Brain's Base] (Finished 10/10) Tags: Seinen Delinquents, Mythology, Vampire Action, Comedy, Fantasy Staz Charlie Blood is a powerful vampire who rules the Eastern district of Demon World. According to rumors, he is a bloodthirsty and merciless monster, but in reality, Staz is just an otaku obsessed with Japanese culture and completely uninterested in human blood. Leaving the management of his territory to his underlings, Staz spends his days lazing around, indulging in anime, manga, and games. When Fuyumi Yanagi, a Japanese girl, accidentally wanders through a portal leading into the demon world, Staz is overjoyed. But just as he is starting to feel an unusual attraction to her, his territory is attacked, resulting in Fuyumi's untimely death. She turns into a wandering ghost and the crestfallen Staz vows to resurrect her as this would mean being able to travel to the human world, something he has always dreamed of. Blood Lad follows Staz and Fuyumi, soon joined by the spatial magician Bell and the half-werewolf Wolf, as they travel to find a magic that can bring humans back to life. Another experiment to liven things up, but the concept remains a boring action. Nothing really fired for me here even though it's watchable.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Monogatari Series: Second Season 〈物語〉シリーズ セカンドシーズン [Shaft] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Vampire Comedy, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural Apparitions, oddities, and gods continue to manifest around Koyomi Araragi and his close-knit group of friends: Tsubasa Hanekawa, the group's modest genius; Shinobu Oshino, the resident doughnut-loving vampire; athletic deviant Suruga Kanbaru; bite-happy spirit Mayoi Hachikuji; Koyomi's cutesy stalker Nadeko Sengoku; and Hitagi Senjougahara, Koyomi's aloof classmate. Monogatari Series: Second Season revolves around these individuals and their struggle to overcome the darkness that is rapidly approaching. A new semester has begun and with graduation looming over Koyomi, he must quickly decide the paths he will walk, as well as the relationships and friends that he'll save. But as strange events begin to unfold, Koyomi is nowhere to be found, and a vicious tiger apparition has appeared in his absence. Hanekawa has become its target, and she must fend for herself—or bow to the creature's perspective on the feebleness of humanity. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaetemo Omaera ga Warui! WataMote: No Matter How I Look At It, It's You Guys' Fault I'm Not Popular! 私がモテないのはどう考えてもお前らが悪い! [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Otaku Culture, School Comedy After living 50 simulated high school lives and dating over 100 virtual boys, Tomoko Kuroki believes that she is ready to conquer her first year of high school. Little does she know that she is much less prepared than she would like to think. In reality, Tomoko is an introverted and awkward young girl, and she herself is the only one who doesn't realize it! With the help of her best friend, Yuu Naruse, and the support and love of her brother Tomoki, Tomoko attempts to brave the new world of high school life. Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaetemo Omaera ga Warui! chronicles the life of a socially awkward and relatively friendless high school otaku as she attempts to overcome her personal barriers in order to live a fulfilling life. For me it's just unpleasant senseless rambling. It's all is done to be funny, but can't call it funny too.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai: Megami-hen The World God Only Knows: Goddesses 神のみぞ知るセカイ 女神篇 [Manglobe] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, Otaku Culture Comedy, Romance, Supernatural Having freed a myriad of women from the runaway spirits possessing their hearts, the "God of Conquest" Keima Katsuragi is confronted with a new task: find the Jupiter Sisters, the goddesses that sealed Old Hell in the past. Diana, the goddess that resides inside his childhood friend Tenri Ayukawa, explains that they have taken shelter in the hearts of the girls he had assisted previously. Moreover, once Diana and her sisters are reunited, their power can seal the runaway spirits away for good and relieve Keima of his exorcising duties. Though he is initially reluctant to get involved in yet another chore, everything changes when tragedy befalls one of the hosts. Discovering that the goddesses are being targeted by a mysterious organization known as Vintage, Keima is caught in a race against time to reunite the sisters and rescue the girl who has already fallen prey. With deeper resolve than ever before, Keima works together with demons Elsie and Haqua to recapture the hearts of the girls he had charmed in the past. However, the road ahead is a difficult one, as he is soon met with the consequences of his previous conquests. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Gin no Saji Silver Spoon 銀の匙 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Shounen School Comedy Yuugo Hachiken is studious, hard-working, and tired of trying to live up to expectations he just cannot meet. With the ushering in of a brand new school year, he decides to enroll in Ooezo Agricultural High School, a boarding school located in the Hokkaido countryside, as a means to escape from the stress brought upon by his parents. Initially convinced that he would do well at this institution, Hachiken is quickly proven wrong by his talented classmates, individuals who have been living on farms their entire lives and know just about everything when it comes to food, vegetables, and even the physiology of livestock! Whether it be waking up at five in the morning for strenuous labor or to take care of farm animals, Hachiken is a complete amateur when it comes to the harsh agricultural life. Gin no Saji follows the comedic story of a young student as he tries to fit into a completely new environment, meeting many unique people along the way. As he struggles to appreciate his surroundings, Hachiken hopes to discover his dreams, so that he may lead a fulfilling life on his own terms. It's a surprisingly pleasant rural SOL comedy, especially when watched for the first time.   Overall Rating: 8/10   9. Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya Fate/kaleid liner プリズマ☆イリヤ [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Comedy, Fantasy  Mage's Association members Rin Toosaka and Luviagelita "Luvia" Edelfelt are tasked with finding and retrieving seven Class Cards, medieval artifacts containing the life essence of legendary Heroic Spirits. To aid them in their mission, they are granted the power of Ruby and Sapphire, two sentient Kaleidosticks that would enable them to transform themselves into magical girls and drastically increase their abilities. However, the two mages are on anything but good terms, prompting the Kaleidosticks to abandon them in search for new masters. They stumble upon two young schoolgirls—Illyasviel von Einzbern and Miyu—and quickly convince them to form a contract. With their new powers and responsibilities, Illya and Miyu set forth to collect all the Class Cards. Shameless totally uncanonical silly fanservice milking.   Overall Rating: 5/10   10. Kamisama no Inai Nichiyoubi 神さまのいない日曜日 [Madhouse] (Finished 8/12) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery  God has abandoned the world. As a result, life cannot end nor can new life be born, and the "dead" walk restlessly among the living. Granting one last miracle before turning away forever, God created "gravekeepers," mystical beings capable of putting the dead to rest through a proper burial. Ai, a cheerful but naïve young girl, serves as her village's gravekeeper in place of her late mother. One day, a man known as Hampnie Hambart, who is supposedly Ai's father, arrives and kills all the people in her village. Having lost her village and with no plans for the future, Ai decides to accompany the mysterious man on his journey. As she travels the land, the young gravekeeper strives to fulfill her duties, granting peace to the dead and assisting the living, while at the same time learning more about the world that God left in this tragic state. I see concept as very weak (of course, it's mystery genre), and there's really nothing going on. After lousy introduction arc there's just SOL with absolutely not memorable characters - truly appalling.   Overall Rating: 5/10   11. Servant x Service サーバント×サービス [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Seinen Workplace Comedy Frustrating, insufficient, and irritating is how most citizens would describe civil servants. However, three new employees are about to discover what really happens behind the scenes. Lucy Yamagami, bent on revenge against the civil servant who allowed her comically long name to be put on her birth certificate; Yutaka Hasebe, an easygoing guy always on the lookout for a place to slack off; and Saya Miyoshi, a nervous first-time worker, are about to experience the underwhelming satisfaction of being government employees. They are supposed to be trained by Taishi Ichimiya, but he has no idea how to do so, even though he has worked there for eight years. With an incompetent senior colleague and unfavorable confrontations with clients, the trio starts to lose faith in their chosen occupation but encourage each other to do their best. A very refreshing comedy with adult characters and almost no tilt into romance. Enjoyable even when watching for the second time.   Overall Rating: 8/10   12. Love Lab 恋愛ラボ [Doga Kobo] (Finished 3/13) Tags: CGDCT, School Comedy, Romance At Fujisaki Girls Academy, student council president Natsuo Maki is the epitome of grace and perfection, admired by all the young girls who attend the school. One day, Riko Kurahashi walks into the student council room on an errand, only to discover Natsuo practicing her kissing techniques on a pillow, an act that is neither graceful nor elegant. Riko soon discovers that Natsuo desires more romance in her life, leading her to practice "romantic situations" in secret. Sympathizing with her, Riko agrees to help Natsuo with her love research. Named "Love Lab," the project practices the essentials of love and romance, such as bumping into each other "accidentally" and holding hands. Soon, the entire student council joins in on the fun in the Love Lab too! Through their research and real life encounters, what will they learn about romance? Weaving together funny characters and comedic situations, Love Lab builds a story of friendship and romance, while never missing a beat with the laughter. Not that Love Lab is bad, but there are a lot of more memorable school romance comedies, and Love Lab does not stand out and is not memorable after some time.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Gatchaman Crowds ガッチャマン クラウズ [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Super Power Action, Sci-Fi Hajime Ichinose's ordinary life is in for a change when a transcendent being named J.J Robinson hands her a small book called NOTE—a device which transforms her into one of the Gatchaman, the legendary protectors of Tachikawa City. Stressing that the existence of their group must remain a secret, fellow Gatchaman Sugane Tachibana takes Hajime to their base of operations, where Paiman, the panda-like alien leader of the Gatchaman, reveals their purpose: to eliminate aliens that pose a danger to humanity. These existential threats, called MESS, are becoming increasingly dangerous, destroying everything they touch. Now it's up to the Gatchaman and their new recruit to stop them before the world is engulfed in chaos. It's too silly, immature and irritating. Feels like a kids show with normal character designs.   Overall Rating: 5/10   14. Kiniro Mosaic KINMOZA! きんいろモザイク [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 3/12) Tags: CGDCT, School Comedy, Slice of Life Shinobu Oomiya once left Japan to participate in a homestay in England. During her time there, she became close friends with Alice Cartelet, the daughter of the family she was living with. However, when it was time for Shinobu to return to Japan, the two were able to express their sorrow despite the language barrier between them. Five years later, now a first year student in high school, Shinobu receives a letter by air mail in a language she does not understand. This letter is penned by none other than Alice, detailing her own homestay in Japan. In fact, Alice will be attending Shinobu's high school and living with her! Alongside their friends Youko Inokuma, Aya Komichi, and Karen Kujou, the five girls attend school together and learn about what their different cultures have to offer, day after day. Take Strawberry Marshmallow, take out most characters and humor and what's left is transfer student side story, and that is what KINMOZA is doing. After Strawberry Marshmallow such incompetence is unbearable to watch.   Overall Rating: 5/10   15. Uchouten Kazoku The Eccentric Family 有頂天家族 [P.A. Works] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Mythology Award Winning, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy Kyoto has been populated by groups of tanuki and tengu for years, living alongside humans who are oblivious to the existence of these creatures. Yasaburou Shimogamo is the third son of an influential tanuki family who spends his carefree days taking care of an old tengu, observing humans through his ability to shapeshift, and dealing with the mysterious woman named Benten. Behind the peace and tranquility, however, is a painful memory from long ago as Yasaburou's father, head of the tanuki community, was killed and eaten by a group of humans known as the Friday Fellows. Uchouten Kazoku follows the trials and tribulations of the Shimogamo brothers as they struggle to avoid their own grisly demise while coming ever closer to unraveling the truth behind their father's death. An unusual story about tanuki family living in fantasy world. But I already forced myself once to watch it to the end, and won't do it again. It's decent at best, and I don't dig this world.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Choujigen Game Neptune The Animation Hyperdimension Neptunia 超次元ゲイム ネプテューヌ THE ANIMATION [David Production] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Parody Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi After years of fruitless war between the four realms of Gamindustri (Planeptune, Lastation, Lowee and Leanbox) over Share energy, the source of their strength based on how much their people have faith in their goddesses, the four CPUs that rule over them have finally signed a friendship treaty. The treaty bans any attempt at claiming Share energy through military force, in hopes of bringing peace and prosperity to their worlds. Yet, a month after the treaty, Neptune, the CPU Goddess of Planeptune, spends her time goofing off and playing games rather than doing her job, leaving her land's Shares plummeting. Choujigen Game Neptune The Animation follows Neptune and her friends' attempts at raising Shares, while dealing with an external threat that could spell the end of both the Goddesses and Gamindustri itself... Silly parody constantly breaking 4th wall and the like. Could not stand games either.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Kimi no Iru Machi A Town Where You Live 君のいる町 [Gonzo] (Finished 6/12) Tags: Shounen Love Polygon Drama, Romance Haruto Kirishima lived a calm life out in the countryside, away from the fast-paced life of the city. Then Yuzuki Eba appeared in his life out of nowhere, having come from Tokyo to briefly live with her family. Their time together left him enamored with the memories of that short period before she just as abruptly disappeared from his life, and left him full of questions. Kimi no Iru Machi begins some time later, after Haruto moves to Tokyo to live with his sister, in order to pursue a career as a cook. In reality though he wishes to be with Yuzuki. Things don't start good though. When he arrives he is mistaken for a burglar and attacked by his sister's neighbour Mishima Asuka. After the misunderstanding is cleared his feelings begin to waver though. Is Eba, who keeps avoiding him for seemingly no reason, the one for him or is it Asuka? Cliche romance, forced drama, not too keen protagonist couple.   Overall Rating: 5/10   18. Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou Dog & Scissors 犬とハサミは使いよう [Gonzo] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Comedy, Supernatural  A nonsense comical mystery. Harumi Kazuhito is a high school boy who loves books and is a fan of novelist Natsuno Kirihime. One day, he finds Kirihime writing at a cafe, about to be shot by a robber. He protects her from the attack but is killed instead. Through the supernatural power of a book-worm, he is reincarnated as a dachshund dog. Kazuhito (as a dog) writhes in a painful bookless life, when a sadistic woman carrying a pair of scissors offers him help. She is Kirihime herself. It all goes down to eccentric detective mystery. Humor is not to my liking, so whatever.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Kingdom 2nd Season Kingdom: Season 2 キングダム 第2シリーズ [Pierrot] (Finished 39/39) Tags: Seinen Historical, Military Action A year after the devastating battle against the formidable Zhao, the State of Qin has returned its focus to pursuing King Ying Zheng's ambition of conquering the other six states and unifying China. Their next target is Wei, a smaller state which stands as a geographic stepping stone for the sake of conquest. Xin, now a three hundred man commander of the swiftly rising Fei Xin Unit, continues to seek out lofty achievements in order to garner recognition for himself and his soldiers, motivated by those previously lost in battle. In the preliminary battles ahead of Qin's invasion of Wei, Xin finds competition in other young commanders who are of a higher social status than him. Back in Qin, the royal palace faces turmoil as opposing factions begin to make their move against Ying Zheng's regime. With their hands full both abroad and at home, Zheng and Xin must lead the way in this era of unending war, resolved to etch their names in history by creating a unified China. Only lowering sequel score if there is another firm masterpiece to highlight.   Overall Rating: 8/10   20. Makai Ouji: Devils and Realist Devils and Realist 魔界王子 devils and realist [Doga Kobo] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Josei Historical, Mythology, School Comedy, Fantasy, Mystery Seventeen-year-old William Twining takes pride in his lineage as well as his devotion to modern science. When he learns that his family has gone bankrupt, the pompous noble is faced with the reality that he can no longer afford his tuition or the lifestyle he is accustomed to. In a desperate search for valuables in his manor, William discovers a hidden room and accidentally summons the arrogant demon Dantalion, the Grand Duke of Hell. Apparently, Lucifer—the ruler of Hell—has fallen into a deep slumber. In his absence, only the human "Elector" has power to select a temporary successor, which is the cause of tension among demonkind. Although told that he is the direct descendant of King Solomon and has unshakable authority in the underworld, William refuses to believe it. While denying the existence of magic and the supernatural altogether, the defiant realist fails to recognize that he is at the center of the ongoing battle between Heaven and Hell. Bipolar protagonist is supposed to be main attraction here. Or maybe constant BL references are.   Overall Rating: 5/10   21. Rozen Maiden (2013) Rozen Maiden: Zurückspulen ローゼンメイデン (2013) [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Action, Comedy, Drama During the events of the original Rozen Maiden, after circling "yes" on a paper and agreeing to wind an unknown "something," a traumatized Jun Sakurada fights alongside the lifelike dolls known as the Rozen Maidens. But what would have happened if Jun had circled "no"? Jun, having gotten over his school trauma from his younger days, spends his time attending college and working in a bookstore. However, he does not feel as though he belongs anywhere. One day, he finds a book containing instructions on how to make a Rozen Maiden. Mysteriously, when he arrives home that night, the second volume in the book series has been delivered to his house, along with some pieces of a doll. But as suddenly as they started arriving, the books stop coming, and Jun gets a notice that says that the books have ceased being published. With an incomplete doll in hand, and a message from his other self in another world, this Jun also finds his way into the world of the Rozen Maidens. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Hakkenden: Touhou Hakken Ibun 2nd Season Hakkenden -Eight Dogs of the East- Season 2 八犬伝 -東方八犬異聞- 2 [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shoujo Mythology Action, Fantasy, Mystery The journey to find all eight sacred gems continues, as Sousuke and Shino travel in search of the remaining gem holders. From the shadows the Imperial Church continues to scheme, and a mysterious woman seeks to fulfill a sinister plot with the gem holders at its heart. As the origin of the gems comes to light, so does the truth behind Sousuke's doppelganger, Ao, as he resurfaces with his own goal—one involving Sousuke and his gem! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   23. Senki Zesshou Symphogear G Symphogear G 戦姫絶唱シンフォギアG [Satelight] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Action, Sci-Fi Three months after a Lunar Attack which nearly caused Earth's destruction, Hibiki Tachibana, Tsubasa Kazanari, and Chris Yukine continue to fight the Noise—a mysterious alien threat—using powerful armor known as Symphogear. After defending an American convoy from a Noise attack, Hibiki and Chris race toward the Queens of Music concert hall to attend one of Tsubasa's concerts. Meanwhile, Tsubasa and rising international superstar Maria Cadenzavna Eve deliver an amazing performance that is broadcast throughout the entire world. Just as the concert is about to conclude, a group of Noise suddenly appear, plunging the hall into chaos. Amidst the panic, Maria declares war against the world as the successor of Finé—Chris' former mistress—and her allies Kirika Akatsuki and Shirabe Tsukuyomi reveal Symphogear powers of their own. After initiating a skirmish with Tsubasa and her teammates, they retreat mysteriously, leaving the three friends bewildered as to what their true intentions could be. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   24. Stella Jogakuin Koutou-ka C³-bu Stella Women's Academy, High School Division Class C³ ステラ女学院高等科C³部（しーきゅーぶ） [Gainax] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Military, School Sports Command, control, and communication: the three pillars to successfully execute missions in modern military combat. They are also the source of inspiration behind Stella Women's Academy airsoft club, aptly named the C3 Club. Due to the club's nature, the members have trouble finding newcomers, but, as the school year starts, they hope to find their next sharpshooter among a new crop of students. Yura Yamato is a freshman at Stella; she sports an unassertive personality that makes it difficult to make friends. She soon discovers her absent roommate owns a massive collection of military memorabilia and movies, including a replica Desert Eagle. When one of the C3 Club's members catches Yura re-enacting an action movie, she drags her into the Club's airsoft practice match. Despite being on the losing side, Yura is unexpectedly drawn to the excitement of the game. Upon her return, Yura's roommate—Sonora Kashima—reveals herself to be the C3 Club's president and invites her to join. Now with Sonora by her side, one more exhilarating match convinces Yura to sign up. Thanks to her new teammates, Yura discovers a hidden side to herself and an unexpected love for airsoft. However, as her dedication to the game slowly takes over her life, Yura finds herself on the path of great change and success—one that may easily lead to self-destruction. Gainax did not create a miracle this time. Just paint-ball club without anything really memorable.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Genei wo Kakeru Taiyou Day Break Illusion 幻影ヲ駆ケル太陽 [AIC] (Finished 4/13) Tags: Mahou Shoujo  Akari Taiyou is an apprentice fortune teller living with her aunt, uncle, and their daughter Fuyuna. Having lost her mother at a young age, the only thing Akari has left of her is a deck of tarot cards and a dream to follow in her footsteps as a fortune teller. One night, Akari has a dream of being attacked by a plant monster and witnesses a stronger version of herself defeat it. When she awakens, she discovers to her horror that the monster was actually Fuyuna. But mysteriously, Akari and her relatives soon forget Fuyuna ever existed. After another close encounter with a similar monster, she is rescued by three magical girls: Ginka Shirokane, Seira Hoshikawa, and Luna Tsukuyomi. They explain that they are from the Sefiro Fiore organization, which uses Elemental Tarot power to fight the evil creatures known as "Daemonia." Akari discovers she too is a magical girl and has inherited her mother's power of The Sun card. However, she comes to realize Daemonia are actually people who have been possessed, and she must decide whether to try to save what is left of their humanity or to wipe them from existence. As Akari comes to terms with her grim duty of protecting the world from Daemonia, the bonds of the organization and that of their team will soon be strained when they deal with grave threats from the outside and from within. First Madoka imitation has arrived! And comparison is not in favor of Day Break Illusion. There's dark stories, blood and Cthulhu monsters, but it's still just fighting monsters which gets repetitive.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Genshiken Nidaime Genshiken Second Season げんしけん 二代目 [Production I.G] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Otaku Culture, Parody Comedy Another college semester begins and the returning members of Genshiken attempt to recruit new club members. Three new members join the club, attracted by Ogiue's BL drawings. She welcomes the new members but fears the club will become a "fujoshi" haven for yaoi fans and is getting a bit too far removed from its original purpose. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 7/10   27. Kitaku-bu Katsudou Kiroku Chronicles of the Going Home Club 帰宅部活動記録 [Nomad] (Finished 3/12) Tags: School Comedy, Slice of Life When a friend asks Natsuki what high school club she's going to join, she cheerfully responds "the go-home club" (meaning, she's not going to join any of them). However, she soon realizes that this club actually exists at her high school, and she's just expressed interest in joining it! Before she knows it, she ends up as one of the two new members of "the go-home club," which is a small group of eccentric school girls. One of the girls likes fighting bears, while another is ridiculously rich. But what exactly constitutes the activities of "the go-home club"? Crazier school club comedy than usual with average humor. And after a few years it completely wipes out of memory.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Ro-Kyu-Bu! SS ロウきゅーぶ! SS [Barnum Studio, Project No.9] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School, Team Sports Comedy, Sports, Ecchi After their loss against Suzuridani Academy, the members of the Keishin Academy girls' basketball team—Tomoka Minato, Maho Misawa, Airi Kashii, Hinata Hakamada, and Saki Nagatsuka, along with their coach, Subaru Hasegawa—exert more of their time and effort in improving in the sport day by day. However, this time around, new rivals with strengths possibly exceedings theirs and friends appear on their way to the top. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Fantasista Doll ファンタジスタドール [Hoods Entertainment] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Fantasy, Sci-Fi  Uzume Uno is a young student and former champion of a trading card game competition. She is trusted with a special device containing five powerful Fantasista Dolls. These dolls are sentient virtual beings who reside in cards which are now controlled by their new master, Uzume. I don't know a single masterpiece anime about trading cards. I could not even get to like WIXOSS which is superior to this average story.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Tamayura: More Aggressive たまゆら ～もあぐれっしぶ～ [TYO Animations] (Finished 1/12) Tags: CGDCT, Iyashikei Comedy, Drama, Slice of Life The second season of Tamayura: Hitotose. It's the beginning of a new school year for Fuu and friends. With a new year comes new challenges as Fuu tries to open a photography club at her school. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   31. Futari wa Milky Holmes ふたりはミルキィホームズ  [J.C.Staff, Nomad] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Super Power Comedy, Mystery Fans of the Milky Holmes detectives, Kazumi and Alice, decide to form their own detective unit, calling themselves "Feathers." Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   32. Gifuu Doudou!!: Kanetsugu to Keiji 義風堂々!! 兼続と慶次 [Studio Deen] (Finished 3/25) Tags: Seinen Historical, Martial Arts, Samurai Action The Sengoku era gave birth to many historical legends. One of them is Naoe Kanetsugu, the brilliant military general of the Uesugi family. Together with Maeda Keiji, a legendary warrior on the battlefield, who become lifelong friends with each other, they carve out a piece of history in the most dangerous and volatile time in Japan's history. The two men recall their beginnings and the journey they took to get to the accomplished position they now sit at. It's hard to imagine how anime with such good tags can be spoilt, but creators managed to achieve that. First of all, there's not enough exposition. Secondly, it's historically inaccurate with a lot of frivolities. And protagonists are pretty boring and huge self-enjoying buffoons. Story is just encountering each other again and again. Resembles Hokuto no Ken a lot, feels random and unengaging.   Overall Rating: 6/10   33. Zinba 神魄 [Alpha Animation] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Mythology, Super Power Action, Adventure, Comedy The juvenile Kan from the earth is summoned to the Kingdom of Toria , where he encounters attack from the giant creature Zinba, and he's rescued by the linker Shibuki and Uranus. Later, he accidentally gets on the linker squad DUX truck to the maze valley, finding in a cave a golden Zinba. Chinese kids show probably imitating some other kids show.   Overall Rating: 5/10   34. Corpse Party: Tortured Souls - Bougyakusareta Tamashii no Jukyou Corpse Party: Tortured Souls コープスパーティー Tortured Souls -暴虐された魂の呪叫- [asread.] (Finished 2/4) Tags: Gore Horror, Mystery, Supernatural Nine students gather in their high school at night to bid farewell to a friend. As is customary among many high school students, they perform a sort of ritual for them to remain friends forever, using small paper charms shaped like dolls. However, the students do not realize that these charms are connected to Heavenly Host Academy—an elementary school that was destroyed years ago after a series of gruesome murders took place, a school that rests under the foundation of their very own Kisaragi Academy. Now, trapped in an alternate dimension with vengeful ghosts of the past, the students must work together to escape—or join the spirits of the damned forever. A feast for mystery fanatics, gore-hounds, and horror fans alike, Corpse Party: Tortured Souls - Bougyakusareta Tamashii no Jukyou shows a sobering look at redemption, sacrifice, and how the past is always right behind, sometimes a little too close for comfort. Basically, I don't like horrors, gore and ahegao, and there's not much besides that.   Overall Rating: 6/10   35. Kaze Tachinu The Wind Rises 風立ちぬ [Studio Ghibli] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical Award Winning, Drama, Romance Although Jirou Horikoshi's nearsightedness prevents him from ever becoming a pilot, he leaves his hometown to study aeronautical engineering at Tokyo Imperial University for one simple purpose: to design and build planes just like his hero, Italian aircraft pioneer Giovanni Battista Caproni. His arrival in the capital coincides with the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, during which he saves a maid serving the family of a young girl named Naoko Satomi; this disastrous event marks the beginning of over two decades of social unrest and malaise leading up to Japan's eventual surrender in World War II. For Jirou, the years leading up to the production of his infamous Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter aircraft will test every fiber of his being. His many travels and life experiences only urge him onward⁠—even as he realizes both the role of his creations in the war and the harsh realities of his personal life. As time marches on, he must confront an impossible question: at what cost does he chase his beautiful dream? All this airplane romanticization is alien to me. The gist of the movie is that everyone does not believe in Japan technologies, but protagonist gets inspired with the Nazi airplane that he investigates and creates his own airplane that finally does not blow up. There are some weird dreams and some sidetracking in between. The end. And as any biography, it's not particularly interesting.   Overall Rating: 6/10   36. Gintama Movie 2: Kanketsu-hen - Yorozuya yo Eien Nare Gintama: The Movie: The Final Chapter: Be Forever Yorozuya 劇場版 銀魂 完結篇 万事屋よ永遠なれ [Sunrise] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, Historical, Parody, Samurai, Time Travel Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi When Gintoki apprehends a movie pirate at a premiere, he checks the camera's footage and finds himself transported to a bleak, post-apocalyptic version of Edo, where a mysterious epidemic called the "White Plague" has ravished the world's population. It turns out that the movie pirate wasn't a pirate after all—it was an android time machine, and Gintoki has been hurtled five years into the future! Shinpachi and Kagura, his Yorozuya cohorts, have had a falling out and are now battle-hardened solo vigilantes and he himself has been missing for years, disappearing without a trace after scribbling a strange message in his journal. Setting out in the disguise given to him by the android time machine, Gintoki haphazardly reunites the Yorozuya team to investigate the White Plague, and soon discovers that the key to saving the future lies in the darkness of his own past. Determined to confront a powerful foe, he makes an important discovery—with a ragtag band of friends and allies at his side, he doesn't have to fight alone. The only Gintama piece that I consider a masterpiece. It has good concentrated humor and great visuals and action. If only the series were on par with it.   Overall Rating: 7/10   37. Kara no Kyoukai Movie: Mirai Fukuin The Garden of Sinners: Future Gospel 劇場版 空の境界 未来福音 [ufotable] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama, Mystery, Supernatural  Shiki Ryougi, Mikiya Kokutou, and Touko Aozaki begin investigating a bomber after they witness a nearby explosion. That same night, Shiki catches a glimpse of the bomber, and as a result, he becomes fixated on her. To get rid of her, the madman plays a game of cat and mouse in attempts to lure her to an empty parking garage. And bombs are not the only thing he has in his arsenal: he also possesses the ability to see the future, and he intends to bring an end to Shiki. Elsewhere a few days prior, a student at Reien Girls' Academy, Shizune Seo, plans to head home for the summer. However, while exiting a bus, she has a vision of the future involving a nearby stranger's death. While trying to warn the stranger, she meets Mikiya—who succeeds in utilizing Shizune's information effectively. Subsequently, an employee is sent on a job with his employer's 10-year-old daughter in tow. However, the subject of his investigation turns out to be a ghost from both of their pasts. Mirai Fukuin tells the stories set during the main timeline of the Kara no Kyoukai films, as well as one set in the future. So after two epilogues there's more... And it has become just a detective mystery with bomber revealed at the very start. So the whole remaining hour is to see some SOL and investigation done with help of many new characters, and finally witness a clash. And some more SOL to be transition to future. Predictable and disappointing.   Overall Rating: 6/10   38. Captain Herlock Space Pirate Captain Harlock キャプテンハーロック [Toei Animation, Marza Animation Planet] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Space Action, Drama, Sci-Fi After conquering the galaxy, mankind has reached its apex and is now on a steady decline. The resources of the universe are diminishing, and around 500 billion humans begin to return home to Earth. Thus begins a war between the various factions of humans for control of the planet. Eventually, an authoritarian government known as the Gaia Sanction prevents the re-population of Earth. Captain Herlock was one of the Elite Wing who was tasked by the Gaia Sanction to defend the Earth. His fleet of ships was unstoppable under his command. However, the Gaia Sanction allows a diplomatic elite to immigrate to Earth, which angers Herlock. He goes rogue and fires upon the diplomats and the rest of his fleet. He decides to unleash dark matter on the planet to make it uninhabitable, but also becomes engulfed in it which immortalizes him. One hundred years have passed, and the legendary Captain Herlock is still at large, with only the Arcadia under his control. The Gaia Sanction continues with their plans for control over the Earth, while hiding its true state. But Captain Herlock is preparing for one final showdown with them, which will determine the fate of the world! 3DCGI seems to use technology from latest Final Fantasy movies and thus humans usually look really great unlike aliens who feel terrible to me. It's not cool to know that time travel exists in this universe, but at least characters have some wits not to use it. Story is chaotic and confusing, but ends up with a big clash. Watchable, but lacks enjoyment.   Overall Rating: 6/10   39. Buki yo Saraba 武器よさらば  [Sunrise] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi Based on a story by Otomo (Katsuhiro), it's about a ragtag group of hard-talkin', power suit-wearin' men tasked with disarming automatic tanks in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   40. Kara no Kyoukai Movie: Mirai Fukuin - Extra Chorus The Garden of Sinners: Future Gospel - Extra Chorus 劇場版 空の境界 未来福音 [ufotable] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama, Mystery, Supernatural  Mikiya Kokutou gives Shiki Ryougi a cat to watch, as he will be away for a little while. Though Shiki protests, he leaves the cat anyway, and Shiki is stuck trying to understand her new feline companion. But as luck would have it, the cat seems to have taken a liking to Mikiya and misses him. Later in another part of the city, Ririsu Miyazuki visits the place where her dear friend committed suicide. She intends to end her life as well, but she meets Fujino Asagami, a blind classmate with a traumatic past. Though the two girls don't have much in common, Asagami reminds Miyazuki of her lost friend and helps her understand her pain. Two months later, Mikiya elects to celebrate New Year's with Shiki instead of his family, which makes his sister Azaka very upset, leading to her spending the holiday with her school friends. As the snow begins to fall, Mikiya reflects on what he wishes for most of all: that Shiki's life be filled with happiness. Mirai Fukuin introduced characters rather hastily, and these three stories are a better introduction to characters with some of their circumstances. And of course we needed the third epilogue, so one of three chapters is the damn epilogue again.   Overall Rating: 6/10
  7. kivandopulus

    Anime of the Year 2013-IV Fall - Log Horizon

    By kivandopulus,


    Anime of the Year
    Original season of Log Horizon was genius in my evaluation. Nothing else actually got me interested this time.   1. Kill la Kill キルラキル [Trigger] (Finished 24/24) Tags: School, Super Power Action, Comedy, Ecchi After the murder of her father, Ryuuko Matoi has been wandering the land in search of his killer. Following her only lead—the missing half of his invention, the Scissor Blade—she arrives at the prestigious Honnouji Academy, a high school unlike any other. The academy is ruled by the imposing and cold-hearted student council president Satsuki Kiryuuin alongside her powerful underlings, the Elite Four. In the school's brutally competitive hierarchy, Satsuki bestows upon those at the top special clothes called "Goku Uniforms," which grant the wearer unique superhuman abilities. Thoroughly beaten in a fight against one of the students in uniform, Ryuuko retreats to her razed home where she stumbles across Senketsu, a rare and sentient "Kamui," or God Clothes. After coming into contact with Ryuuko's blood, Senketsu awakens, latching onto her and providing her with immense power. Now, armed with Senketsu and the Scissor Blade, Ryuuko makes a stand against the Elite Four, hoping to reach Satsuki and uncover the culprit behind her father's murder once and for all. It's crazy action and I remember forcing myself to finish it, because it was supposed to get better and better. And it did not, so remained a huge disappointment in my memory.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Kyoukai no Kanata Beyond the Boundary 境界の彼方 [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 5/12) Tags: School Action, Fantasy Mirai Kuriyama is the sole survivor of a clan of Spirit World warriors with the power to employ their blood as weapons. As such, Mirai is tasked with hunting down and killing "youmu"—creatures said to be the manifestation of negative human emotions. One day, while deep in thought on the school roof, Mirai comes across Akihito Kanbara, a rare half-breed of youmu in human form. In a panicked state, she plunges her blood saber into him only to realize that he's an immortal being. From then on, the two form an impromptu friendship that revolves around Mirai constantly trying to kill Akihito, in an effort to boost her own wavering confidence as a Spirit World warrior. Eventually, Akihito also manages to convince her to join the Literary Club, which houses two other powerful Spirit World warriors, Hiroomi and Mitsuki Nase. As the group's bond strengthens, however, so does the tenacity of the youmu around them. Their misadventures will soon turn into a fight for survival as the inevitable release of the most powerful youmu, Beyond the Boundary, approaches. Oh, something from KyoAni that I missed, probably because of all the youkai hunt and immortal protagonist getting constantly killed narrative. I only see a yet another so-so copycat of Shana here. It has enough of habitual chewing gum to keep going, but there's not enjoyment for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Log Horizon ログ・ホライズン [Satelight] (Finished 25/25) Tags: Adult Cast, Video Game Action, Adventure, Fantasy In the blink of an eye, thirty thousand bewildered Japanese gamers are whisked from their everyday lives into the world of the popular MMORPG, Elder Tale, after the game's latest update—unable to log out. Among them is the socially awkward college student Shiroe, whose confusion and shock lasts only a moment as, a veteran of the game, he immediately sets out to explore the limits of his new reality. Shiroe must learn to live in this new world, leading others and negotiating with the NPC "natives" in order to bring stability to the virtual city of Akihabara. He is joined by his unfortunate friend Naotsugu, having logged in for the first time in years only to find himself trapped, and Akatsuki, a petite but fierce assassin who labels Shiroe as her master. A tale of fantasy, adventure, and politics, Log Horizon explores the elements of gaming through the eyes of a master strategist who attempts to make the best of a puzzling situation. Later seasons actually did not feel as good, but original was super inspirational.   Overall Rating: 10/10   4. Golden Time ゴールデンタイム [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3/24) Tags: Adult Cast, Love Polygon Drama, Romance Due to a tragic accident, Banri Tada is struck with amnesia, dissolving the memories of his hometown and past. However, after befriending Mitsuo Yanagisawa, he decides to move on and begin a new life at law school in Tokyo. But just as he is beginning to adjust to his college life, the beautiful Kouko Kaga dramatically barges into Banri's life, and their chance meeting marks the beginning of an unforgettable year. After having a glimpse of college life, Banri learns that he is in a new place and a new world—a place where he can be reborn, have new friends, fall in love, make mistakes, and grow. And as he begins to discover who he was, the path he has chosen leads him towards a blindingly bright life that he will never want to forget. Tried to watch it couple times, but it never worked out for me. Amnesia protagonist is such a beaten cliché for romance stories that it's not even funny. Female protagonist on the other hand is irritating on such scale that can't overcome it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Kuroko no Basket 2nd Season Kuroko's Basketball 2 黒子のバスケ [Production I.G] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen School, Team Sports With the Interhigh Championship finally over, Seirin's basketball team refocuses their efforts, training harder than ever to get the chance to participate in the Winter Cup. Both Tetsuya Kuroko and Taiga Kagami see old friends walk back into their lives, providing a challenge both on and off the court. As new skills are developed and new alliances created, enemies from various teams—giants of high school basketball such as Yousen, Shuutoku, and Touou—stand in the way of Seirin's steadfast attempts to get to the top. All of these schools prove to be formidable foes whose abilities progress exponentially, while Kuroko struggles to find a balance between his resolve to play as part of a team and his desire to win. With old wounds reopening, new challenges to face on the court, and a new set of foes—the "Uncrowned Kings"—vowing to defeat the new hopefuls, will Seirin ever be able to achieve their dream of beating the Generation of Miracles? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   6. Magi: The Kingdom of Magic マギ The kingdom of magic [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Fantasy  After celebrating their victory against Al-Thamen, Aladdin and his friends depart the land of Sindria. With the end of the battle, however, comes the time for each of them to go their separate ways. Hakuryuu and Kougyoku are ordered to go back to their home country, the Kou Empire. Meanwhile Aladdin announces he needs to head for Magnostadt—a mysterious country ruled by magicians—to investigate the mysterious events occurring in this new kingdom and become more proficient in magic. For their part, encouraged by Aladdin's words, Alibaba and Morgiana also set off in pursuit of their own goals: training and going to her homeland, respectively. Magi: The Kingdom of Magic follows these friends as they all go about their separate adventures, each facing their own challenges. However, a new threat begins to rise as a great war looms over the horizon... Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Strike the Blood ストライク・ザ・ブラッド [SILVER LINK., Connect] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Harem, School, Vampire Action, Fantasy, Supernatural, Ecchi Kojou Akatsuki's days as an ordinary high school student in the Demon District of Itogami Island come to an abrupt end after a fateful encounter leaves him with the remarkable abilities of a vampire. It isn't long before he is thrust into the center of attention when it is discovered that he is the fourth primogenitor, an immensely powerful vampire whom most consider to be merely a legend. Fearing Kojou's destructive potential, the Lion King Organization sends in an apprentice sword-shaman, Yukina Himeragi, to monitor, and should he become a threat, kill the boy deemed the world's most powerful vampire. Forced together by circumstance, the two form an unlikely alliance as Kojou comes to terms with his abilities and they both struggle to protect the city from various emerging chaotic forces. Mediocre vampire action with harem gathered just to unlock new abilities. Very cringy.   Overall Rating: 5/10   8. Nagi no Asu kara A Lull in the Sea 凪のあすから [P.A. Works] (Finished 26/26) Tags: Love Polygon Drama, Fantasy, Romance  Long ago, all humans lived beneath the sea. However, some people preferred the surface and abandoned living underwater permanently. As a consequence, they were stripped of their god-given protection called "Ena" which allowed them to breathe underwater. Over time, the rift between the denizens of the sea and of the surface widened, although contact between the two peoples still existed. Nagi no Asu kara follows the story of Hikari Sakishima and Manaka Mukaido, along with their childhood friends Chisaki Hiradaira and Kaname Isaki, who are forced to leave the sea and attend a school on the surface. There, the group also meets Tsumugu Kihara, a fellow student and fisherman who loves the sea. Hikari and his friends' lives are bound to change as they have to deal with the deep-seated hatred and discrimination between the people of sea and of the surface, the storms in their personal lives, as well as an impending tempest which may spell doom for all who dwell on the surface. Unusual story linked to mythology with familiar P.A.Works interactions. It did not leave any somewhat lasting impression and it took couple minutes to even remember that I watched it already, so not enough impact in conjunction with slow pace.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Tokyo Ravens 東京レイヴンズ [8bit] (Finished 3/24) Tags: School Action, Fantasy, Romance Onmyoudou magic was once a powerful technique used by the Japanese during the second World War in order for them to gain the upper hand and establish their nation as a formidable force. But Japan was quickly defeated after the revered onmyouji Yakou Tsuchimikado caused the "Great Spiritual Disaster," an event which plagues Tokyo to this very day. As a result of this mishap, the Onmyou Agency was established in order to exorcise further spiritual disasters and combat the demons that would make their way into the world. Now, Onmyoudou has become far more modern, simplified, and refined for use in a wide variety of applications such as medicine and technology. However, not everyone is able to utilize the magic, as is the case with Harutora, a member of the Tsuchimikado's branch family. Despite an old promise to protect Natsume, the heir of the Tsuchimikado's main family and Yakou's supposed reincarnation, as her familiar, Harutora has no talent and chooses to live a normal life instead. But when a prominent member of the Onmyou Agency attempts to recreate the same experiment which led to Japan's downfall, he decides to make good on his word and fight by Natsume's side. Again hereditary spirit warrior does not want to inherit, but is being forced to by friends and assaults. Super bleak shounen beginning that should get better, but there's no incentive to wait for it to.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Non Non Biyori のんのんびより [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen CGDCT, Iyashikei, School Slice of Life Hotaru Ichijou's lifestyle completely changes when she leaves Tokyo and moves with her family to the isolated Asahigaoka village. Her new school has only five students including herself, all sharing a single classroom regardless of grade level. There are no convenience stores in the area, and it can take up to two hours for a bus to arrive. Nevertheless, Hotaru finds herself captivated by the countryside's charm thanks to her four unique schoolmates with whom she quickly forms a genuine bond. The most colorful of them is Renge Miyauchi, a first-grader who is often perceptive despite her age. However, no less intriguing are the three Koshigaya siblings: the quiet oldest brother Suguru, the petite older sister Komari, and the prankish youngest sister Natsumi. Having someone from the city join their cheerful little group enlivens the ordinary days in Asahigaoka. Not only does Hotaru bring firsthand knowledge from the alluring outside world, but her fresh outlook on life welcomes a blossom of change to their usual routine. Lots of SOL idiocy in hope that it'd look cute. It does not. .   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Ore no Nounai Sentakushi ga, Gakuen Love Comedy wo Zenryoku de Jama Shiteiru My Mental Choices Are Completely Interfering With My School Romantic Comedy 俺の脳内選択肢が、学園ラブコメを全力で邪魔している [Diomedéa] (Finished 10/10) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance For Kanade Amakusa, life as a high schooler should have been normal, and it would have been—if he wasn't living with the most ridiculous curse imaginable. "Absolute Choice," a system forced upon him by a self-proclaimed god, randomly presents a mental selection of actions that he must act out based on his choice. To add to his dilemma, it tends to occur in the most public of places, and his options never seem to deviate from the rude and crude in nature. As a result, the helpless boy stresses through each day, fumbling to repair his already tarnished reputation while desperately praying to avoid the next spontaneous episode of Absolute Choice. To his dismay, the one in charge is always one step ahead of him and proceeds to not-so-subtly "choice" him into the lives of several girls at his school. Just when Kanade's school life can't seem to be doomed any further, a decision that he reluctantly selects on the way home sends a beautiful girl crashing down from the sky, along with the promise of more hysterically hellish choices. Basically, ecchi harem trash where protagonist is forced to harass girls to survive.   Overall Rating: 5/10   12. IS: Infinite Stratos 2 Infinite Stratos 2 IS〈インフィニット・ストラトス〉2 [8bit] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, Mecha Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Ecchi Second season of Infinite Stratos. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Outbreak Company アウトブレイク・カンパニー [feel.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem, Isekai, Otaku Culture, Parody Comedy, Fantasy Shinichi Kanou is a shut-in otaku with a vast knowledge of anime, manga, and video games. One day, after applying for a job in hopes of escaping his secluded lifestyle, he is kidnapped and transported to the Eldant Empire—a fantasy world filled with elves, dragons, and dwarves. Trapped in this strange land, Shinichi is given an unlikely task by the Japanese government: to spread otaku culture across the realm by becoming an "Otaku Missionary." To accomplish his mission, Shinichi has the full support of the Japanese government, as well as the half-elf maid Myucel and Princess Petralka of the Eldant Empire. Together with this ragtag bunch, he will overcome the obstacles of politics, social classes, and ethnic discrimination to promote the ways of the otaku in this holy land. As Isekai it's ok, but... there's zero story. Making fantasy kingdom acquainted with otaku culture hardly counts. So it becomes an aimless harem to attract more and more girls.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Machine-Doll wa Kizutsukanai Unbreakable Machine-Doll 機巧少女〈マシンドール〉は傷つかない [Lerche] (Finished 3/12) Tags: School Action, Fantasy, Ecchi The Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machinart was founded alongside the development of "Machinart," machine magic capable of giving life and intelligence to mechanical dolls subsequently called as "automaton." Its aim: train skilled puppeteers to control the automatons, as militaries across the globe have begun incorporating Machinart into their armies. After miserably failing the academy's entrance exams, Raishin Akabane and his humanoid automaton Yaya must defeat one of the top one hundred students to earn the right to take part in the Evening Party, a fight for supremacy between puppeteers using their automatons. The last one standing is bestowed the title of "Wiseman" and granted access to the powerful forbidden arts. Thus, Raishin challenges Charlotte Belew and her automaton Sigmund to a duel, but before they even begin, Sigmund is attacked by other students. After saving his opponents from their assaulters, Raishin cancels the duel but is forced to search for a new way to gain access to the Party. Driven by the tragedies of his past, Raishin fights alongside Yaya to rise to the top and claim the title of Wiseman. Mediocre anime based around battle dolls fights done with some usage of subpar 3D. Setting is not explored, and there's no story to enjoy.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Yuusha ni Narenakatta Ore wa Shibushibu Shuushoku wo Ketsui Shimashita. I Couldn`t Become a Hero, So I Reluctantly Decided to Get a Job 勇者になれなかった俺はしぶしぶ就職を決意しました。 [asread.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi  Dreaming of becoming a hero and vanquishing the Demon King, Raul Chaser enters the Hero Training Program in pursuit of his ambition. However, when the Demon King is defeated and peace returns to the world, the Hero Training Program is suspended indefinitely, making it impossible for anyone to become a hero. Two years later, Raul reluctantly works at a small electronics store called Magic Shop Leon. Though the former hero-in-training is plagued by the mundanity of working in retail, everything changes with the arrival of a new hire. Appearing at first to be just a boy with good looks, "he" turns out to be a female demon by the name of Fino Bloodstone. She is not just any old demon either—Raul's new coworker is in fact the daughter of the late Demon King! Handed the responsibility of training this eccentric new employee, Raul soon finds his life becoming livelier than it ever was before. We've seen demon lord at part time job already, so now let's watch at demon lord's daughter constantly flashing at part time job... Otaku in some kind of MMO-like world can deliver some laughs here and there, but ecchi is main focus here.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Hajime no Ippo: Rising Hajime No Ippo: The Fighting! はじめの一歩 Rising [Madhouse, MAPPA] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen Combat Sports Japanese Featherweight Champion Makunouchi Ippo has defended his title belt once more with the help of his devastating signature move: the Dempsey Roll. However, new challengers are rising up left and right, claiming to have an answer for the move responsible for crushing his opponents. Will Ippo be able to step up to the challenge, or will the weight of his pride destroy him before he finds out just what it means to be strong? Meanwhile, fellow Kamogawa Gym mate Aoki Masaru is just a hop, skip, and a Frog Punch away from claiming his own belt, ready to take on the Japanese Lightweight Champion! Hajime no Ippo: Rising continues Ippo's quest to become stronger, featuring the same cast of loveable dimwits from Kamogawa Gym, as they put their bodies and hearts on the line to make their way in the harsh world of professional boxing. With a will of iron, Ippo steps into the ring once again. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. White Album 2 ホワイトアルバム2 [Satelight] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Love Polygon, Music Drama, Romance Haruki Kitahara's light music club is on the verge of disbanding. At this rate, the third year's dream of performing at the school festival would never be realized. However, as his exhausted fingers drift through the chords of "White Album," the first song he would ever play, an angelic voice and mysterious piano begin harmonizing with his lonely guitar. It is a momentous performance that marks the beginning of everything for Haruki. White Album 2 orchestrates Haruki's final semester with complex romance and exhilarating music, as the curtains of the stage he so desired begin to open... Never considered White Album 2 a masterpiece. Among similar anime it's nothing special.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Diamond no Ace Ace of Diamond ダイヤのA[エース] [Production I.G, Madhouse] (Finished 1/75) Tags: Shounen School, Team Sports With a stray pitch that completely missed the batter, Eijun Sawamura loses his final middle school baseball game. Frustrated by this defeat, Eijun and his teammates vow to reach the national tournament once they are in high school. But everything changes when a scout unexpectedly invites him to Tokyo's prestigious Seidou High School after seeing the potential in his unusual pitching style. Encouraged by his teammates, Eijun accepts the offer, ready to improve his skills and play at a much more competitive level of baseball. However, now surrounded by a large number of skilled players, Eijun struggles to find his place on the team. He declares that he will one day become the team's ace, but that's only if fellow first year Satoru Furuya doesn't take the title first, with his breakneck fastballs that earn him a coveted spot on the starting roster. With the addition of these talented new players to an already powerful lineup, the Seidou baseball team aims to become the best in Japan, facing off against a number of formidable foes that stand in their way. Baseball spokons are the worst for me as I never cared to learn the rules properly. And first episode does not look outstanding.   Overall Rating: 5/10   19. Yowamushi Pedal 弱虫ペダル [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 3/38) Tags: Shounen Racing Sports Sakamichi Onoda is a cheerful otaku looking to join his new school's anime club, eager to finally make some friends. Unfortunately, the club has been disbanded and he takes it upon himself to revive it by finding students who are willing to join. Without much luck, Onoda decides to make a round trip to Akihabara on his old, bulky city bicycle, a weekly 90-kilometer ride he has been completing since fourth grade. This is when he meets fellow first year student, Shunsuke Imaizumi, a determined cyclist who is using the school's steep incline for practice. Surprised by Onoda's ability to climb the hill with his specific type of bicycle, Imaizumi challenges him to a race, with the proposition of joining the anime club should Onoda win. And thus begins the young boy's first foray into the world of high school bicycle racing! I often heard that Yowamushi Pedal is much more than spokon. Of course more characters and complexity are needed for a very long work over 100 episodes, but for me it's just some Initial D level while to enjoy spokon for me something really outstanding is required.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Kyousou Giga (TV) Kyousougiga 京騒戯画 [Toei Animation] (Finished 10/10) Tags: Action, Fantasy Long ago, there was a monk named Myoue who could bring anything he drew to life. He quietly lived with his wife Koto—a black rabbit in human form—and their three children: Yakushimaru, Kurama, and Yase. One day, the high priest of the land concluded that Myoue's drawings caused too many problems for the locals and ordered him to find a solution. In response, the family secretly fled to an alternate world of Myoue's own creation—the Looking Glass City. Everything was peaceful until Myoue and Koto suddenly vanished. Their three children are left to take care of the city, and Yakushimaru inherits Myoue's name and duties. Stranded in this alternate world, their problems only get worse when a young girl—also named Koto—crashes down from the sky and declares that she is also looking for the older Myoue and Koto. Armed with a giant hammer and two rowdy familiars, Koto just might be the key to releasing everyone from the eternal paper city. It's something unique with the closest thing coming to mind is Eccentric Family. As such, I was compelled to watch it through. The result is another petty mystery that bombs with abstract elements and needless complexity for the story that is not worth a damn.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Freezing Vibration フリージング ヴァイブレーション [ A.C.G.T.] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Harem, Military, Super Power Action, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi, Ecchi Ever since the 10th NOVA clash, the Chevalier had concluded that the NOVA have been appearing at a steadier rate and they are losing more Pandoras than they can produce. Their solution is the E-Pandora Project which involves normal humans being given the power to become Pandoras. Inviting Pandora from around the world to their Alaskan base witness the unveiling of their new project, Satellizer, Kazuya and Rana are among those who have been summoned. However, as time goes the E-Pandora Project starts to become fishier and the Pandoras start to grow more and more concerned... Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Little Busters! Refrain Little Busters! ~Refrain~ リトルバスターズ！～Refrain [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/13) Tags: School Comedy, Drama, Romance, Supernatural Following the Little Busters after they lost their first baseball game, the team decides to have a pancake party. It has been almost one semester since the return of Kyousuke Natsume. As usual, Riki Naoe continues to help the Little Busters' members—both old and new—with confronting their inner struggles. However, strange happenings begin to occur, leading Rin Natsume and Riki closer to unraveling the truth behind the "secret of this world." Little do Rin and Rikki know, their discovery will end up changing the peaceful everyday lives created by the Little Busters once and for all. Little Busters!: Refrain brings a conclusion to the colorful stories of its ensemble cast—forged with the weight of emotions and strengthened with the bond of friendship—as they come to terms with their regrets and weaknesses. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   23. Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio: Ars Nova Arpeggio of Blue Steel -Ars Nova- 蒼き鋼のアルペジオ ‐アルス・ノヴァ‐ [SANZIGEN] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Action, Sci-Fi In the year 2039, the drastic effects of global warming have caused sea levels to rise, resulting in major loss of land. To ensure humanity learns its lesson, a fleet of powerful warships equipped with advanced weaponry emerges, causing overwhelming defeat for naval forces throughout the world. Calling themselves the Fleet of Fog, each ship has a "Mental Model," a humanoid avatar which represents the ship's heart, its "Union Core." Each model has a different personality but all follow an unknown authority known as the Admiralty Code, who have implemented a blockade to prevent humans from traveling across the sea. Seventeen years after the blockade, Gunzou Chihaya, a National Marine Academy alumnus, stumbles upon I-401 and its Mental Model, Iona, who sides with mankind for unknown reasons. Utilizing this newfound hope of achieving peace for humanity, Gunzou and his friends form a group of privateers, known as the Blue Steel, as they set out on a dangerous journey. Unusual, yet ultimately boring marine action.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Walkure Romanze ワルキューレロマンツェ [8bit] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Harem, School Romance, Sports, Ecchi Taking place at Winford Academy located in an old town called Helen's Hill, the story is all about knights and the sport of jousting. At this school, students learn how to become knights, ride horses and joust properly. The main character is a young man named Takahiro Mizuno who was training to become a knight and jouster but after suffering an injury he dropped out of the knight program and joined the begleiter (assistant) program instead. Due to his animal handling skills and former experience as a jouster, this makes him a hot commodity. Multiple beautiful girls in the school want him to become their personal begleiter, though Takahiro always refuses their offers. One day a bizarre accident causes his friend, Mio Kisaski, to be challenged to a jousting duel despite her not actually being a knight. Takahiro agrees to become her temporary begleiter, but that ends up only being the beginning of their partnership as she enrolls in the annual tournament. Usual visual novel chewing gum with only the stage - it does not work for anime well.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Samurai Flamenco サムライフラメンコ [Manglobe] (Finished 10/22) Tags: Parody, Super Power Action, Comedy "A hero will never give up, never hide, never be defeated and never accept evil!" Firmly believing these words, Masayoshi Hazama has been obsessed with superhero shows since childhood. By day, he earns his living as a famous model, and by night, he becomes the gallant hero Samurai Flamenco. Armed with only his superhero costume, he seeks to bring justice to the city and faces anybody who tries to break the law—even rebellious juveniles and people who litter on the street. Masayoshi's heroic antics later catch the attention of the public, leading to the fateful discovery of his identity by policeman Hidenori Gotou. Although initially telling Masayoshi to leave the crime-busting activities to the police, Gotou ends up joining him in his antics. However, things soon escalate from preventing littering and petty thefts to bizarre adventures that involve even the fate of the world. Together with their newfound comrades, Masayoshi and Gotou embark on a battle with the world and themselves in order to find the true meaning of being a hero—with or without superpowers. It starts as superhero parody and becomes actual silly superhero action... it was educational to observe degradation story going, but calling it interesting would be an exaggeration.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Yozakura Quartet: Hana no Uta 夜桜四重奏 ～ハナノウタ～ [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shounen Super Power Action, Comedy, Supernatural Hundreds of years ago, the borders between the worlds of humans and youkai temporarily overlapped, resulting in many residents of both crossing over to the other side. In the years since this event, the city of Sakurashin has become a central hub for all inter-dimensional affairs—a result of both the sacred Seven Pillars around the city serving as a beacon for the youkai, and the efforts of the Hiizumi Life Counseling Office in keeping the townsfolk happy. This office is composed of Hime Yarizakura, the young mayor of the city; satori Ao Nanami, who can read people's minds; half-youkai Kotoha Isone, who can summon anything by speaking a word; oni siblings, Kyousuke and Touka Kishi; and the office director Akina Hiizumi, who inherited his family's ability to force youkai back to their world. Besides volunteer and arbitration work, the Life Counseling Office also suppresses any Strikes: rare occurrences where humans are suddenly infused with youkai powers and go on a rampage. But the appearance of a sinister man signals trouble as Strikes become increasingly common, political rivals make their moves, and malicious individuals descend upon the city. As the self-appointed defenders of Sakurashin, it's up to the Life Counseling Office to protect the idyllic city they call home! Remake.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Coppelion コッペリオン [GoHands] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Seinen Action, Sci-Fi  At first glance, Ibara Naruse and her friends Aoi Fukasaku and Taeko Nomura look like average, carefree high school students. But the streets they walk on, their destination, and their surroundings are anything but normal. As they continue forward, the trio find themselves stepping deeper into an uninhabitable version of Tokyo, one that has been ravaged by a nuclear disaster 20 years ago. As part of the Dispatch 3rd Special Force Coppelion, known as the Health Care team, Ibara, Aoi, and Taeko are supported by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and Colonel Onihei Mishima as they scour the eerily silent streets for survivors. Finding the last remaining humans and having them evacuated by the JGSDF's helicopters is a daily occurrence for the girls. But as their work progresses, Ibara and her friends start to question their own humanity—namely, how they themselves are able to survive in Tokyo without any protective gear. Only finished it for unique setting back then, but nothing important or interesting ever happened there except for exploration.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Kakumeiki Valvrave 2nd Season Valvrave the Liberator 2nd Season 革命機ヴァルヴレイヴ　2ndシーズン [Sunrise] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Mecha, Military, Space Action, Sci-Fi Haruto and his comrades continue to fight against the forces of Dorssia. However, many things remain unanswered in the midst of battle, including the past of L-Elf and his fellow soldier's past, the destiny of the mysterious girl Liselotte, and the feelings of Haruto, Shouko, and Saki. The relationships and loyalty of each and every member of each army will be tested as the clash of ideals and power reaches its climax. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. BlazBlue: Alter Memory ブレイブルー オルターメモリー [Hoods Entertainment, teamKG] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Action, Fantasy  The story is set in December of 2199, when the streets are full of anticipation for the end of the year and the start of the new one. Amid the celebrations, word spreads that Ragna the Bloodedge, an SS-class rebel with the highest ever bounty on his head, has appeared in the 13th Hierarchical City of Kagutsuchi. The apparent aim of Ragna or the "Grim Reaper" is the destruction of the system controlling the world. To collect the bounty, a motley array of unrivaled fighters converge on Kagutsuchi. I remember hearing that BlazBlue had actual story. But it's not a real story - rather the story that's included in fightings.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Gundam Build Fighters ガンダムビルドファイターズ [Sunrise] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Mecha Action, Sci-Fi Though Gundam Plastic Models, better known as Gunpla, exploded in popularity with the release of the anime series Mobile Suit Gundam, their presence faded before resurging with a new purpose. Through the power of Plavsky particles, fans are now able to pit their Gunpla against others in a virtual reality-style battle with the best competing at the annual Gunpla World Tournament. Sei Iori, whose father was a once finalist in the competition, dreams of one day conquering the contest himself. However, while Sei is an expert Gunpla builder, he lacks the prowess to effectively fight his creations during actual battle. In comes Reiji, a mysterious boy who is curiously ignorant of society but quickly demonstrates to Sei tremendous ability in Gunpla battles. The two boys decide to combine their strengths in order to sweep the Gunpla World Tournament and take the Gunpla world by storm. Anime about building anything aren't ever good. And in conjunction with mini robot duels it's a lost case from the start. Another shameless advertisement of models for kids.   Overall Rating: 5/10   31. Sekai de Ichiban Tsuyoku Naritai! Wanna Be the Strongest in the World 世界でいちばん強くなりたい! [Arms] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Combat Sports Ecchi Hagiwara Sakura and Miyazawa Elena are the leading members of a popular idol group, Sweet Diva. One day, Elena is injured by the attack of a female pro-wrestler Kazama Rio during the recording of a TV program. Sakura gets mad at Rio and gives her a dropkick. To avenge Elena, Sakura enters the female pro-wrestling matches. It's just what it seems to be - ecchi wrestling.   Overall Rating: 5/10   32. Gingitsune Gingitsune: Messenger Fox of the Gods ぎんぎつね [Diomedéa] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen Mythology Slice of Life, Supernatural Gintarou is a fox spirit that has been protecting the small Inari temple since the Edo era. Saeki Makoto's family possesses the power to see the gods' agent, but the ability is limited to one living relative at a time. When Makoto's mother passed away while she was still young, Makoto inherited the ability as the sole remaining family member. With the help of fox spirit's power, Makoto and Gintarou help the people of their community, in spite of their many differences. Friendship with iyashikei is good to fall asleep. I can't find any other uses for it.   Overall Rating: 5/10   33. Galilei Donna Galilei Donna: Storia di tre sorelle a caccia di un mistero ガリレイドンナ [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 3/11) Tags: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi  Three sisters, Hozuki, Kazuki, and Hazuki, are descendants of Galileo and have completely different personalities and tastes; they never meet eye-to-eye. One day, the girls are suddenly attacked by a mysterious organization. The organization was after the "Galileo Tesoro" which Galileo Galilei was said to have discovered. Still unaware of what was going on, the sisters escape on the airship they built after the sudden attack. But it won't be so easy for these three sisters to help each other out in a pinch when they're constantly at odds with each other. What is the Tesoro, and what is the organization after? And what about the relationship between the sisters? It's a threesome of cute girls, action, and mystery! Mystery adventure of inventors is not my thing, so pretty much everything irritates me here.   Overall Rating: 6/10   34. Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle - Shukuteki! Rätsel-hen Phi Brain: Puzzle of God 3 ファイ・ブレイン 〜神のパズル 宿敵！レイツェル編 [Sunrise] (Finished 1/25) Tags: High Stakes Game, Strategy Game Action, Mystery "Are puzzles really necessary in this world?" In order to restore Jin's memory, Kaito and his friends go on a puzzle-viewing journey to England. As they're walking through the underground maze beneath the church, where young Kaito and Rook first met Jin, a mysterious girl appears in front of them. Jin calls the girl by the name "Raetsel". It seems they know each other. However, she suddenly disappears and takes Jin with her. What's more, the traps in the underground maze are activated and start coming after Kaito and his friends. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   35. Megane-bu! メガネブ!  [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Comedy  At Himaraya Third Technical School, five bespectacled members of the Glasses club are crazy about eyewear. Their leader, Akira Souma, founded the club to develop the X-ray glasses of his dreams, but their research has been slow in between getting into quirky escapades and fighting off student body president William Satou's attempts to further cut their tight club funding. With unbounded youthful passion, these friends set their minds on making their project a resounding success. Compared to Danshi no Nichijou there's more absurd and more humor, but also bishounen character design which I'm incompatible with.   Overall Rating: 6/10   36. Tesagure! Bukatsumono てさぐれ！部活もの [Yaoyorozu] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Parody, School Slice of Life The CG anime centers around the extracurricular activities of students. It's half episode length because of episodic nature similar to yonkoma. And it's fully CGI, so feels just like prepared talk of some V-tubers.   Overall Rating: 6/10   37. Gaist Crusher ガイストクラッシャー [Pierrot] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural  In the year 2047, mankind discovered a rare metal ore called "Gaimetal", which possessed a huge amount of energy, and mining for these strange metal ore begins all over the world. However, in 2075, humankind were been constantly attacked by Gaist, a race of metallic creatures whose bodies were encrusted with Gaimetal, thus forming the GCG (also known as "Gaist Crusher Garrison"), an organization tasked with dealing against the Gaist. In 2064, the GCG send out mankind's line of defense: the Gaist Crushers, humans who can wear a special Gaimetal armor called "Gaist Gear", and battle the Gaist,as well as the threat opposed by a mysterious organization called "Erasers". Generic shounen for kids.   Overall Rating: 5/10   38. Lu Shidai 撸时代 [Haoliners Animation League, Colored Pencil Animation] (Finished 3/14) Tags: Parody, Video Game Action, Adventure, Comedy Zhiquiang is a young boy who loves playing League of Legends with his friends. Follow his crazy adventures. I usually don't include works with length under 10 minutes, but concept was intriguing even though I never played League of Legends. As expected, it's short yonkoma episodes around gamers. Not bad, but definitely not a masterpiece format.   Overall Rating: 6/10   39. Si Ling Bianma: Shijie Caozong Zhe Order Designer 死灵编码 [Foch Films] (Finished 6/12) Tags: Parody, Psychological, Video Game Fantasy, Horror, Mystery “Ghost” is an online mobile game that Ye Yinyi always dreamed of completing, and to that end, has poured his blood and tears into it, even missing a date with his girlfriend. However, he learns about an alarming monster attack on a young woman near his house, a photograph of which shows the monster to bear a resemblance to the monster he designed. Why is the world of his mobile game appearing in real life? Another small format that's only interesting, because it's about Online game and Chinese. In fact it's just horror akin to Gremlins with no link to games after the beginning. And then it goes over the roof with the absurd and loses the ground .   Overall Rating: 5/10   40. Chao Shen Youxi 超神游戏 [Tencent Animation & Comics] (Finished 4/25) Tags: Video Game Action, Fantasy Three young friends skipped class and went to an Internet Cafe to play games but were caught by a female class monitor. One returns home, but the other two choose to purchase a mysterious game CD from the sexy female shopkeeper. When they start playing, they suddenly get transported to the game world. Not translated. Of course inside the game protagonists suddenly get skills and it goes more or less in normal shounen fashion.   Overall Rating: 6/10   41. Chao Shen Xueyuan 超神学院 [Transcendence Picture] (Finished 20/20) Tags: Action, Sci-Fi  Different young people with super abilities are gathered by a government organization and train in special school in order to save the world from demonic invasion. CGI, plus subs are of poor quality. But animation is done with total motion capture which looks superb as a result. The beginning was great and funny, but it went more and more serious which did not play well with rather ridiculous and non-cohesive storytelling.   Overall Rating: 6/10   42. Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Movie 3: Hangyaku no Monogatari Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Rebellion 劇場版 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ 叛逆の物語 [Shaft] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mahou Shoujo, Psychological Award Winning, Drama, Mystery, Suspense The young girls of Mitakihara happily live their lives, occasionally fighting off evil, but otherwise going about their peaceful, everyday routines. However, Homura Akemi feels that something is wrong with this unusually pleasant atmosphere—though the others remain oblivious, she can't help but suspect that there is more to what is going on than meets the eye: someone who should not exist is currently present to join in on their activities. Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Movie 3: Hangyaku no Monogatari follows Homura in her struggle to uncover the painful truth behind the mysterious circumstances, as she selfishly and desperately fights for the sake of her undying love in this despair-ridden conclusion to the story of five magical girls. Series was different from recap movies in many things. Third movie as continuation that tries to combine two stories in a new messy abstract substance with personalities different from original series. Urobuchi Gen again shows his incompetence and greed destroying yet another franchise.   Overall Rating: 5/10   43. Sakasama no Patema Patema Inverted サカサマのパテマ [Studio Rikka, Purple Cow Studio Japan] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure, Award Winning, Sci-Fi  Patema is a plucky young girl from an underground civilization boasting an incredible network of tunnels. Inspired by a friend that mysteriously went missing, she is often reprimanded due to her constant excursions of these tunnels due to her royal status. After she enters what is known as the "forbidden zone," she accidentally falls into a giant bottomless pit after being startled by a strange creature. Finding herself on the surface, a world literally turned upside down, she begins falling towards the sky only to be saved by Age, a discontented student of the totalitarian nation known as Aiga. The people of Aiga are taught to believe that "Inverts," like Patema, are sinners that will be "swallowed by the sky," but Age has resisted this propaganda and decides to protect his new friend. A chance meeting between two curious teenagers leads to an exploration of two unique worlds as they begin working together to unveil the secrets of their origins in Sakasama no Patema, a heart-warming film about overcoming differences in order to coexist. Did not like it neither before, not now. Just a usual dystopia vs underground without even interesting confrontation or normal story.   Overall Rating: 6/10   44. Kaguya-hime no Monogatari The Tale of the Princess Kaguya かぐや姫の物語 [Studio Ghibli] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical Award Winning, Fantasy  Deep in the countryside, a man named Okina works as a bamboo cutter in a forest, chopping away at the hollow plants day after day. One day, he discovers a small baby inside a glowing shoot. He immediately takes her home, convinced that she is a princess sent to Earth as a divine blessing from heaven. Okina and his wife Ouna take it upon themselves to raise the infant as their own, watching over her as she quickly grows into an energetic young girl. Given the name Kaguya, she fits right in with the village she has come to call home, going on adventures with the other children and enjoying what youth has to offer. But when Okina finds a large fortune of gold and treasure in the forest, Kaguya's life is completely changed. Believing this to be yet another gift from heaven, he takes it upon himself to turn his daughter into a real princess using the wealth he has just obtained, relocating the family to a mansion in the capital. As she leaves her friends behind to enter into an unwanted life of royalty, Kaguya's origins and purpose slowly come to light. I'm not fond of all experimental art. Plot-wise it's just retelling of fairy-tale with small alterations, so not great either. And by extending it to over two hours only additional boredom is introduced.   Overall Rating: 6/10   45. Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Ghost in the Shell - Border:2 Ghost Whispers Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 2: Ghost Whispers 攻殻機動隊ARISE -GHOST IN THE SHELL- border:2 Ghost Whispers [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective, Mecha, Psychological Sci-Fi Second movie of Ghost in the Shell: Arise. Freed of her responsibilities with the 501 Organization, Motoko Kusanagi must now learn how to take orders from Aramaki. Someone hacks the Logicomas, and Batou enlists the help of former army intelligence officer Ishikawa and former air artillery expert Borma. Kusanagi also seeks to enlist ace sniper Saito and undercover cop Paz into the new Public Security Section 9. The two groups rival each other in a case involving a man who receives false memories of a refugee transport operation. First Ghost in the Shell that I don't consider a masterpiece. Basically, it's all just about Kusanagi meeting and confronting Batou which is weird, because they met before and their aims are very similar. Stopping after first prequel movie would be best.   Overall Rating: 6/10   46. Bayonetta: Bloody Fate ベヨネッタ ブラッディフェイト [Gonzo] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mythology, Super Power Action, Fantasy Driven to recover her memories after waking in a coffin at the bottom of a lake 20 years ago, Bayonetta hunts down the forces of Heaven day and night in search of clues to her forgotten past, and to uphold her pact with the demonic forces she draws her powers from as an Umbra Witch. She is armed and guided by the mysterious bartender and weapon-smith, Rodin, and following her every footstep is the intrepid journalist, Luka Redgrave, who believes that she has something to do with the death of his father and will stop at nothing to get the truth. Her quest takes a promising turn when she encounters a little girl named Cereza, but standing in her way is a rival Umbra Witch named Jeanne, who works for the very forces that she should be opposing. Bayonetta: Bloody Fate is an action-packed anime film that explores the connection between all of characters and works to unravel just how they are seemingly entwined in a conspiracy that eclipses them all. A lot of extravagancy and supposed coolness, but not much sense or appeal in all that.   Overall Rating: 6/10   47. Majokko Shimai no Yoyo to Nene Magical Sisters Yoyo & Nene 魔女っこ姉妹のヨヨとネネ  [ufotable] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Fantasy  Based on a manga "Noroiya Shimai" written by Hirarin and serialized in Monthly Comic Ryuu. It is a story about a pair of sisters who work as "noroiya" (cursers) using magic in a fantasy world. One day a big tree suddenly appears in a forest, and tall buildings that look like they are from our world can be seen entangled in it. The two sisters go there to investigate and get ported to our world. They then encounter two children who are startled by the sisters' sudden appearance and rush back home but at home they see their parents turned into monsters... It's good that there's a twist, but overall it's rather plain, simplistic and random.   Overall Rating: 6/10   48. Saibi The Fake 사이비 [Studio Dadashow] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Psychological Drama, Suspense Who is good and who is evil? What is the boundary between them? An animated thriller about the tension between a good-hearted person speaking falsely and an evil-natured person speaking truthfully, and of those that surround them. Anime industry got mature enough to present  less starightforward plots, but it does not ring true for Korean animation yet, apparently. For some reason religious cults often become the centerpiece in Koran projects, and this time exactly this is called "fake" . Of course it gets ugly, bloody and depressing.   Overall Rating: 6/10   49. Neppuu Kairiku Bushi Road 熱風海陸ブシロード  [Kinema Citrus, Orange] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mecha Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi The story takes place in a time when the world is in the pits of despair after being ravaged by a poison called "shinobi" that came to earth via an asteroid. The people run away to the place called "Kairiku," a place that used to be the bottom of the ocean. Here, the people try and protect themselves against the effects of the poison. In such a world, there was a single light of hope. The "Holy Weapon Giga Road" and the legendary warrior "Yagyuu" are needed in order to counter the effects of the poison. In order to save the world, Ame, a princess of a fallen nation, stands up in order to save the world. It started lively, but some stupidity on the way, some emptiness and absolutely typical villain turned the tides against it. Still ok by low mecha standards.   Overall Rating: 6/10
  8. kivandopulus

    Anime of the Year 2014-I Winter - Wake Up, Girls!

    By kivandopulus,


    Anime of the Year
    Gin no Saji 2nd Season and Wake Up, Girls! are my choice.   1. Noragami ノラガミ  [Bones] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen Mythology Action, Fantasy In times of need, if you look in the right place, you just may see a strange telephone number scrawled in red. If you call this number, you will hear a young man introduce himself as the Yato God. Yato is a minor deity and a self-proclaimed "Delivery God," who dreams of having millions of worshippers. Without a single shrine dedicated to his name, however, his goals are far from being realized. He spends his days doing odd jobs for five yen apiece, until his weapon partner becomes fed up with her useless master and deserts him. Just as things seem to be looking grim for the god, his fortune changes when a middle school girl, Hiyori Iki, supposedly saves Yato from a car accident, taking the hit for him. Remarkably, she survives, but the event has caused her soul to become loose and hence able to leave her body. Hiyori demands that Yato return her to normal, but upon learning that he needs a new partner to do so, reluctantly agrees to help him find one. And with Hiyori's help, Yato's luck may finally be turning around. Of course I skipped it before because of all the spirit and mythology stuff, but, since it's currently №27 by popularity on MAL, I can sit it through to see the reason myself. And that's a mediocre and unmemorable action with curses and gods and all that deus ex machina stuff. It holds on characters and episodic comedy, because there's nothing else to hold on to, like no coherent story. And to put the last nail in the coffin there's amnesia poured in by the end. I'm just shocked that such a barebones anime gets so much attention.   Overall Rating: 5/10   2. Nisekoi Nisekoi: False Love ニセコイ [Shaft] (Finished 3/20) Tags: Shounen Harem, School Comedy, Romance  Raku Ichijou, a first-year student at Bonyari High School, is the sole heir to an intimidating yakuza family. Ten years ago, Raku made a promise to his childhood friend. Now, all he has to go on is a pendant with a lock, which can only be unlocked with the key which the girl took with her when they parted. Now, years later, Raku has grown into a typical teenager, and all he wants is to remain as uninvolved in his yakuza background as possible while spending his school days alongside his middle school crush Kosaki Onodera. However, when the American Bee Hive Gang invades his family's turf, Raku's idyllic romantic dreams are sent for a toss as he is dragged into a frustrating conflict: Raku is to pretend that he is in a romantic relationship with Chitoge Kirisaki, the beautiful daughter of the Bee Hive's chief, so as to reduce the friction between the two groups. Unfortunately, reality could not be farther from this whopping lie—Raku and Chitoge fall in hate at first sight, as the girl is convinced he is a pathetic pushover, and in Raku's eyes, Chitoge is about as attractive as a savage gorilla. Nisekoi follows the daily antics of this mismatched couple who have been forced to get along for the sake of maintaining the city's peace. With many more girls popping up his life, all involved with Raku's past somehow, his search for the girl who holds his heart and his promise leads him in more unexpected directions than he expects. Fake relations never could grasp my attention. Typical protagonist and typical tsundere with all the pointless drama don't add appeal. The beaten amnesia mystery just infuriates at this point. There are much better similar works.   Overall Rating: 5/10   3. Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! Ren Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!: Heart Throb 中二病でも恋がしたい！戀 [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Comedy, Romance  The awkward lovebirds, Yuuta Togashi and Rikka Takanashi are now living together as they enter a new school year, but their adorable relationship remains stagnant. Yuuta struggles to adapt to having a chuuni girlfriend while the gang—Sanae Dekomori, Shinka Nibutani and Kumin Tsuyuri—are still keeping up with their quirks despite having advanced a grade. Making matters worse, another chuuni girl from Yuuta's middle school, Satone Shichimiya, appears... With the various events revolving around Yuuta, will he be able to develop his relationship with Rikka? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Mikakunin de Shinkoukei Engaged to the Unidentified 未確認で進行形 [Doga Kobo] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Comedy, Romance, Supernatural  Just an ordinary teenager, Kobeni Yonomori receives quite the surprise on her 16th birthday—a fiancé and a sister-in-law she never even knew she had. As a result of an arrangement that her late grandfather made, Hakuya Mitsumine and his younger sister Mashiro have moved from their countryside home to the Yonomori household in order to deepen their relationship with their new family members. Mikakunin de Shinkoukei follows Kobeni's "love life" with Hakuya as she tries her best to adjust to the abrupt changes forced upon her. However, as some extraordinary secrets regarding the siblings come to light, Kobeni will find her life changed forever. It starts as story about early engagement, but then forgets any direction and majority of time is devoted to two step-sisters. And even humor is not great as it's mostly half-tsundere imouto antics. Truly daunting.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. D-Frag! ディーふらぐ！ [Brain's Base] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen School, Strategy Game Comedy The Kazama Family—a gang of three wannabe delinquents and close friends, spearheaded by Kenji Kazama, is trying to make a name for themselves at Fujou Academy. On the first day of the term, the gang finds themselves putting out a fire in the Game Development Club. Instead of thanking them, the eccentric club members attack and knock out Kenji's two friends, forcing Kenji to fight for his life. Failing to escape, the gang leader is coerced into joining the Game Development Club. As he settles in, Kenji gets to know the four girls responsible for his provisional membership—student council president and general tyrant Chitose Karasuyama, spirited tomboy Sakura Mizukami, negligent club advisor Minami Oosawa, and the school's infamous shadow leader Roka Shibasaki. Throughout the Game Development Club's constant shenanigans and his desperate attempts to leave the club, Kenji begins to realize that he may be actually enjoying himself. Gave development anime is usually of higher quality. Here humor is average, story is absent as usual, and it's neither memorable nor standing out. There's nothing that I could enjoy.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Space☆Dandy Space Dandy スペース☆ダンディ [Bones] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Adult Cast, Space Comedy, Sci-Fi Dandy is a groovy, pompadour-wearing man who explores the stars in search of strange aliens for money, desiring to visit his favorite place: BooBies, the best diner in all the cosmos. Traversing the galaxies in his trusty ship, the Aloha Oe, Dandy is accompanied by his two equally unique friends: QT, the vacuum cleaner robot, and Meow, an alien with a cat-like appearance. Although exciting, Dandy's job is never simple, and each new day promises a completely different, thrilling adventure. Together, Dandy and his crew get dragged into perilous journeys, misadventures in romance, and out of this world scenarios—all whilst steering clear of the evil scientist, Dr. Gel of the Gogol Empire. Rick and Morty first season aired in Winter of 2013/2014, and I see Space Dandy as ripoff of Rick and Morty, because both explore new worlds and both constantly have characters die or undergoing other irreversible changes, and the next episode all that is started anew. So it's irresponsible, disintegrated and random type of comedy which takes away enjoyment from the coherent story. Drama episodes look as if cut from Cowboy Bebop, but not fitting due to some fantastic elements involved. So these small stories covering a single episode should be genius to make a stand. Rick and Morty is genius, but Space Dandy is surface scratching shallow thick parody with ideas of a very ordinary human. .   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Witch Craft Works ウィッチクラフトワークス [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen School Action, Supernatural  Even though they shared the same bus every morning and sat next to each other in class, Ayaka Kagari, the "Princess" of Tougetsu High School, was nothing more than an unreachable idol for Honoka Takamiya. The horde of students who worshipped the "Princess" was merely a nuisance to Honoka, living his lazy, regular high school life. Everything seemed perfectly normal until, one day, Honoka is attacked out of the blue by a mysterious witch. To his surprise, Ayaka saves his life, revealing herself to be a fire witch on a covert mission to protect Honoka. From that fateful day, the ordinary life of Honoka is turned upside down as he is thrown into the war between the Workshop Witches, who strive to protect the citizens, and the Tower Witches, who desire to steal a power hidden within him. I remember dropping it early, because it bores so fast. Again typical boy writes a contract with a powerful being which is this time a witch. Of course they get attacked by other witches and have to react... There are some alterations to the usual Shana route, but comparison is not in favor of Witch Craft Works.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Hamatora The Animation ハマトラ THE ANIMATION [NAZ] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Detective, Super Power Action, Mystery, Supernatural The ability to create miracles is not just a supernatural phenomenon; it is a gift which manifests in a limited number of human beings. "Minimum," or small miracles, are special powers that only selected people called "Minimum Holders" possess. The detective agency Yokohama Troubleshooting, or Hamatora for short, is composed of the "Minimum Holder PI Duo," Nice and Murasaki. Their office is a lone table at Cafe Nowhere, where the pair and their coworkers await new clients. Suddenly, the jobs that they begin to receive seem to have strange connections to the serial killer whom their friend Art, a police officer, is searching for. The murder victims share a single similarity: they are all Minimum Holders. Nice and Murasaki, as holders themselves, are drawn to the case—but what exactly is the link between Nice and the one who orchestrates it all? Wow, a whole collection of my disliked tags. And obviously I get to hate every element and every second of first episode.   Overall Rating: 5/10   9. Sakura Trick 桜Trick [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen School Comedy, Girls Love Having been best friends since middle school, Haruka Takayama and Yuu Sonoda plan to attend Misato West High School together. However, despite being assigned to the same class, a cruel twist of fate has them seated on the opposite ends of their classroom! To make matters worse, their school will shut down in three years, making them the final intake of first-year students. Undeterred by this chain of unfortunate events, Haruka is set on sticking with Yuu, striving to create many wonderful memories with her. Much to Haruka's jealousy however, Yuu's easygoing demeanor quickly attracts the attention of their female classmates. Sympathizing with her friend's growing insecurity, Yuu ends up sharing a deep, affectionate kiss with her in an empty classroom. The act intensifies their bond as "special friends," gradually revealing a different aspect to their unique friendship while also inviting new conflicts. I already know that I'm not fond of serious girls love, so I'm not going to try past pilot episode unless there are additional reasons to check further. But it's one of the best of its kind, because it's mildly funny and fast-paced.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Seitokai Yakuindomo* 生徒会役員共＊ [GoHands] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, School Comedy They say that the more things change, the more they stay the same, and those words could not be more true for the student council of Ousai Private Academy. Though an entire year has passed—bringing the senior members to their final year of high school—not much has changed. President Shino Amakusa is just as perverted as ever, Secretary Aria Shichijou still refuses to put on a pair of panties, Treasurer Suzu Hagimura has yet to grow an inch, and Vice President Takatoshi Tsuda is still stuck as the straight man to their crazy antics. Of course, limiting the fun to a four-way might get a little stale; although the group still messes around with the Judo Club and the Newspaper Club, more girls have come to get in on the excitement. Takatoshi's sister Kotomi, a new student at Ousai, is as perverse as the president, while Uomi, the aloof student council president of the nearby Eiryou High School, fits right in with the insanity at Ousai. With loads of absurdity and sexual humor that keeps on coming, Takatoshi needs to harden up if he is going to keep up with all the madness around him. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Mahou Sensou Magical Warfare 魔法戦争 [Madhouse] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Action, Fantasy  The world as we know it is actually just half the story, as Takeshi Nanase finds out abruptly one summer morning. On his way to kendo practice, Takeshi comes across an unconscious girl in a uniform he doesn't recognize. Takeshi does the decent thing and saves her, and in return the girl wakes up and accidentally turns him into a magic-user. As Takeshi finds out, there is the world he lives in and the world of magic users. Most magic users just want to peacefully coexist with non-magicians, but there are some with bigger ambitions. Mui Aiba is a magician enrolled in the Subaru Magic Academy, where magic users can learn to control and channel their powers and how to live in peace with regular humans. After his fateful encounter with Mui, Takeshi and his newly magician friends Kurumi Isoshima and Kazumi Ida decide to enroll in the Magic Academy as well. All three friends have different reasons for fighting on, whether they're fighting to escape the past or catch up to the future. They wield different kinds of powers, which they must learn to harness in order to fight off the Ghost Trailers, a group of magicians who are willing to use violence to assert their superiority over humans. Pursued by the Ghost Trailers, Takeshi and his friends must train to become stronger, face the leader of the Trailers, and prevent the beginning of the Second Great Magic War. Bland imitation of Harry Potter or something, but with cool magical weapons. Average in all aspects, so the score is fitting.   Overall Rating: 5/10   12. Tonari no Seki-kun Tonari no Seki-kun: The Master of Killing Time となりの関くん [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 3/21) Tags: Seinen School Comedy All Rumi Yokoi wants to do is focus during school, but she is constantly distracted by Toshinari Seki, her neighboring classmate. Paying attention during class is the least of Seki's worries, as he obsesses over intricate setups created using an assortment of items, from an elaborate domino course on his desk to a treacherous war played out with shogi pieces. Yokoi desperately attempts to focus in class, only to be repeatedly sucked into his intriguing eccentricities; however, they always seem to end up with her getting in trouble with their teacher. Fortunately, lessons will never be dull with Seki's antics around! I generally don't include small formats, but some of the more popular ones deserve the coverage, like  Tonari no Seki-ku. It's pretty hilarious, but I refuse to call masterpiece such small format about just different ways to waste time, it's getting old  fast.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Nourin No-Rin のうりん [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Parody, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Idol-obsessed Kousaku Hata is left devastated when his favorite, Yuka Kusakabe, unexpectedly announces her retirement at the peak of an illustrious career. As Yuka’s biggest fan, this news proves to be more difficult than he can bear. Shaken to his very core, he sinks into depression and places himself in self-imposed isolation. However, on the day his friends managed to convince him to attend school again, he gets a pleasant surprise. It turns out that his beloved idol, under the guise of Ringo Kinoshita, has transferred into his class. This miraculous development fills Kousaku with newfound resolve, as he dedicates himself to take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. With the support of his teacher and friends, Kousaku works toward getting close to the girl of his dreams and uncovering the reason for her retirement from the entertainment industry. Good fetish comedy with baka characters, but it's hard to recommend such silliness, to be honest, especially since I can't watch much of it myself for long.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Saikin, Imouto no Yousu ga Chotto Okashiinda ga. Recently, my sister is unusual. 最近、妹のようすがちょっとおかしいんだが。 [Project No.9] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Shounen Comedy, Romance, Supernatural, Ecchi Saikin, Imouto no Yousu ga Chotto Okashiinda ga. follows a family just starting to rebuild. When they marry, Mr. and Mrs. Kanzaki bring a teenage son and daughter along for the ride. But high school freshman Mitsuki Kanzaki is less than thrilled. Stinging from a history of absent and abusive father figures, she is slow to accept her stepfather and stepbrother. But after an accident lands Mitsuki in the hospital, she finds herself possessed by the ghost of Hiyori Kotobuki, a girl her age who was deeply in love with Mitsuki's stepbrother Yuuya. Hiyori cannot pass on to her final reward because of her unrequited love for Yuuya, meaning she's got to consummate it... in Mitsuki's body?! Now, Mitsuki's life depends on getting Hiyori to Heaven. But will she get used to sharing herself with a pushy, amorous ghost? Can she overcome her distrust of her new family? Can she bring herself to fulfill Hiyori's feelings for Yuuya? And might she be hiding some feelings of her own? All that ghost invasion and perverted behavior while inside is pretty sickening, but it guarantees heavy ecchi investment.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha. Inari Kon Kon いなり、こんこん、恋いろは。 [Production IMS] (Finished 2/10) Tags: Seinen Mythology, School Comedy, Romance, Supernatural Frazzle-haired middle schooler Inari Fushimi is less than average; she's painfully shy and horribly clumsy, but despite all this, she is undeniably kind. Running about the winding streets of her hometown, she takes a shortcut through the local shrine and stumbles upon a small fox pup in a river. After rescuing him, she continues on, but from this moment on, her life takes a drastic turn. Grateful for rescuing the pup, the shrine goddess Uka-no-Mitama-no-Kami, "Uka-sama," grants Inari a fragment of her power. Now, Inari has the ability to transform into anyone by shouting the magical phrase "Inari, konkon." Could this power also grant her the courage to convey her feelings to her crush, Kouji Tanbabashi? With her new heavenly ability and the fox spirit Kon, Inari forms a sincere friendship with Uka-sama, encounters more of the supernatural world, and learns that true love knows no bounds. Power of transforming into other humans can be really messy. Having many gods on rampage only adds to that. All the mythology and superstitions ruin what's left.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Maken-Ki! Two マケン姫っ！通 [Xebec] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Shounen Harem, Martial Arts, School, Super Power Action, Ecchi Takeru continues his education at Tenbi Academy as part of the newly formed Security Committee. As a team with the other members, they battle unscrupulous individuals who use their Maken for evil purposes. In the meantime, his libido and the conflicting romantic interests of the girls surrounding him complicate matters considerably. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Sekai Seifuku: Bouryaku no Zvezda World Conquest Zvezda Plot 世界征服～謀略のズヴィズダー [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Action, Comedy, Fantasy  Asuta Jimon, a runaway, is wandering the streets at night when he has a chance encounter with a young girl collapsed beside her tricycle. After he offers her some food, she is moved by his kindness and asks him to join her organization, offering him a face mask and a sweet bun. In need of a place to stay, Asuta decides to play along and accepts her offer, adopting the nickname "Dva." Little does Dva know, this cute girl is Kate Hoshimiya, the leader of Zvezda, a secret organization bent on world conquest. However, he soon realizes the true weight of her words as peculiar happenings rope him deeper into Zvezda and its eccentric members—the samurai-like vanguard Itsuka Shikabane, tech-genius Natalia "Natasha" Vasylchenko, troublesome Yasubee "Yasu" Morozumi, ex-gangster Gorou Shikabane, and multi-purpose robot Roboko Tsujii. With "White Light," a powerful organization of justice, and the entire Japanese government against them, can Zvezda really dominate all humanity and let their light shine throughout the world? It's all the stage and no story again. Two weird organizations compete, but majority of time is devoted to backgrounds of these eccentric characters.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Gin no Saji 2nd Season Silver Spoon 2nd Season 銀の匙 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Shounen School Comedy Now accustomed to his life at Ooezo Agricultural High School, Yuugo Hachiken explores the deeper aspects of what school life really means. As Hachiken learns more about himself and earns the skills necessary for his everyday tasks, he is even offered the position of the Equestrian Club's vice-president. The new semester brings a variety of agricultural dilemmas and personal conflicts, but, nevertheless, Hachiken perseveres in order to discover his dream and continue working together with his friends. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 7/10   19. Hoozuki no Reitetsu Hozuki's Coolheadedness 鬼灯の冷徹 [Wit Studio] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Seinen Mythology Comedy, Fantasy Hell is a bureaucracy, and business is running smoother than ever thanks to the demonic efficiency of Hoozuki, chief deputy to Lord Enma, the King of Hell. Whether offering counsel to the Momotarou of Japanese folklore or receiving diplomatic missions from the Judeo-Christian Hell, the demon who runs the show from behind the king's imposing shadow is ready to beat down any challenges coming his way into a bloody pulp. Metaphorically, of course... The poster boy for micromanagement and armed with negotiation skills worthy of Wall Street, Hoozuki no Reitetsu follows the sadistic and level-headed Hoozuki as he spends his days troubleshooting hell. With an abundance of familiar faces from popular Japanese legends and East Asian mythology working middle management positions, this referential and anachronistic dark comedy brings new meaning to the phrase "employer liability." Just how hard could it be to manage employees from hell, anyway? Never found this concept any fun. For me it's like that tea ceremony anime during warring states period - pointless and useless. It might be different if I liked Heian period style and Japanese mythology, but I don't. Enough of absurd that I detest too.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Toaru Hikuushi e no Koiuta The Pilot's Love Song とある飛空士への恋歌 [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Adventure, Drama, Romance  In order to uncover the "end of the sky," as spoken of in ancient mythology, Kal-el Albus is sent to Isla, an island in the sky. There he attends Cadoques High's Aerial Division, where he enjoys a carefree life with his schoolmates. That is...until a surprise attack by the air tribe drags Isla into a bloody war. Remake of movie.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Nobunaga the Fool ノブナガ・ザ・フール [Satelight] (Finished 2/24) Tags: Historical, Mecha Action, Sci-Fi  Guided by her visions revealing the location of the King of Salvation, Jeanne Kaguya d'Arc flees with the polymath Leonardo da Vinci from the West Star to the East Star. There, she encounters Nobunaga Oda—the son of a local feudal lord who, following a brutal defeat dealt by an enemy clan, has sworn to conquer the world with his friends. Quickly convinced that Nobunaga is indeed the King of Salvation, Jeanne pledges allegiance to the Oda clan. Meanwhile, King Arthur, the ruler of the West Star, sends his ruthless general Gaius Julius Caesar and his combat machine army to conquer Nobunaga's planet and seize the Holy Grail. Although Kaguya believes that Arthur is the King of Destruction, the reckless behavior of Nobunaga "The Fool"—who named his own combat suit after his nickname—on the battlefield sows doubt in his capability as a leader. With the help of Himiko, the Yamato Queen, Nobunaga and his clan must unify in order to overcome tragedies, recover from betrayals, and eventually save the world. It took me three attempts to even read this insulting synopsis where with each new character mention a new rage wave came. For each character one trait is taken and exaggerated, so everyone feels one-dimensional. And clusterization goes far beyond that with multiple genres and blend between fantasy and sci-fi which is never a good idea. Oh, and mecha makes everything worse. It's both mess and insult.   Overall Rating: 5/10   22. Buddy Complex バディ・コンプレックス [Sunrise] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Mecha, Time Travel Action, Sci-Fi When ordinary high school student Aoba Watase is suddenly targeted by a giant robot known as a "Valiancer," he is saved by his mysterious classmate Hina Yumihara. After revealing that she and their robotic enemy are from the future, Hina suddenly propels Aoba 70 years forward in order to prevent his death. Upon arrival, Aoba finds himself in the cockpit of a Valiancer called "Luxon," stuck in the midst of a firefight between the military forces of the Free Pact Alliance (FPA) and Zogilia Republic. After he shows high compatibility with an FPA pilot named Dio Weinberg, the two perform a successful "coupling," allowing them to share experiences and subsequently increase their capabilities and skills. Although Aoba is able to survive this unexpected battle, he is taken into custody by the FPA ship Cygnus, who wishes to interrogate him. While the student's main concern is whether he will ever be able to return home, what he doesn't realize is that he is about to get caught up in a war to protect the world. Sunrise original time shift mecha. That's three disadvantages already. Usual mediocrity.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. SoniAni: Super Sonico The Animation Soni-Ani: Super Sonico The Animation そにアニ -SUPER SONICO THE ANIMATION- [White Fox] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Adult Cast, Music Comedy Super Sonico is a clutzy, adorable, and well-endowed 18-year old girl. She's a complete sucker for anything cute, especially stray cats, all of which she giddily adopts. However, though Sonico should be enjoying a carefree and simple lifestyle as a young college student, her life is really anything but easy: she must balance being a professional model, working part-time at her grandmother's restaurant, and practicing guitar and performing concerts with her friends Suzu Fujimi and Fuuri Watanuki in their band, First Astronomical Velocity—all while attending college. SoniAni: Super Sonico the Animation follows Sonico as she faces daunting challenges in her search for her place in the world, even when her days are brimming with love and happiness. Anime about fanservice mascot... what could go wrong? As expected, everything, but primarily shallowness.   Overall Rating: 5/10   24. Nobunagun ノブナガン [Bridge] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Super Power Action, Sci-Fi Shio Ogura is a Japanese high school student, who is visiting Taiwan on a school trip when she is suddenly attacked by monsters. Agents known as "E-Gene Holders" from the government agency DOGOO also arrive, who wield weapons infused with the spirits of historical figures. Shio is revealed to also be an E-Gene Holder when the soul of Oda Nobunaga awakens after she tries to rescue a friend. That's just too ridiculous to be taken seriously. There's nothing to catch with such a meh alien invasion story.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Wizard Barristers: Benmashi Cecil Wizard Barristers ウィザード・バリスターズ～弁魔士セシル [Arms] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Detective, Mecha Action, Fantasy The story takes place in Tokyo in 2018, where normal humans and those who can use magic coexist. As a result, there are laws against using magic, and a "magic courtroom" exists to preside over lawsuits regarding magic use. In these cases, "Benmashi" or wizard barristers defend those who use magic. The anime follows Cecil, the youngest Benmashi in history, and her associates as they defend clients in these cases. Fantasy detective mecha are tags that aren't supposed to stand even close to each other. And it is indeed a horrible mess of magical court and mecha pursuits.   Overall Rating: 5/10   26. Wake Up, Girls!  [Tatsunoko Production, Ordet] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Drama The gateway to Idol stardom might have opened for the newly formed singing group Wake Up, Girls, but the path to fame is full of perils and pitfalls. And for Mayu, Airi, Minami, Yoshino, Nanami, Kaya and Miyu, it's going to be especially difficult knowing who to trust, as their manager Matsuda's lack of experience could give other, less scrupulous, individuals a chance to take advantage. That's a situation that quickly comes to a head when Green Leaves' president suddenly disappears with most of the money, and things only get worse when the replacement producer seems more interested in getting the girls into revealing swimsuits than promoting their music. As malicious gossip begins to surface regarding Mayu's past membership in a rival group, and internal tensions begin to tear the team apart, they'll need more than just ambition to survive. Singing may be a business, but friendship and a love of music is what will keep everything together. It's definitely a masterpiece, but can't call it super impactful. It's just idol story finally done right and truthfully.   Overall Rating: 7/10   27. Z/X: Ignition  [Telecom Animation Film] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Strategy Game Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi The story is set in the not-so-distant future. Five "Black Points" suddenly appeared around the world as portals to parallel worlds. Immediately after, strange creatures began their invasion from these portals. These creatures are the inhabitants of five worlds—the same worlds in different timeframes. In order to ensure their own future timeframe survives, each of the five invasion forces battle to wipe the other future timeframes out. The key is one card-shaped device. Strategy card came is never a good choice for adaptation, but at least it tries to distance itself from kids shounens to an extent same as WIXOSS. It makes it better than those shounens, but it does not mean good.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Saki Zenkoku-hen Saki: The Nationals 咲-Saki-全国編 [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen School, Strategy Game Slice of Life Saki Miyanaga, along with the rest of Kiyosumi High School's mahjong team, proceeds to the national level of the Interhigh Mahjong Championship. However, reaching the top will prove difficult as she faces opponents on par with and, quite possibly, exceeding her skills. Even so, she refuses to back down, vowing to stop at nothing to fulfill her goal: to see her sister face-to-face once more. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   29. Happiness Charge Precure! ハピネスチャージプリキュア！ [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/49) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Fantasy  Some time ago, the opening of a box known as the "Axia" set loose the previously sealed members of the Phantom Empire into the world. Rising to protect humanity from these spiteful villains are warriors known as the Precure, whose heroic feats have garnered them celebrity status on television screens across the globe. Hime Shirayuki, princess of the kingdom where the Axia was originally held, is one such warrior who transforms into "Cure Princess" to battle monsters summoned by the Empire. However, Hime's timid personality often hampers her success in fending off the enemy. Frustrated with her hard luck and determined to find a Precure partner, Hime befriends Megumi Aino, a happy-go-lucky teenager. When a general of the Phantom Empire appears, Hime fails to do much in the face of his attacks. Intent on protecting her new friend, Megumi ignites her hidden potential—transforming into "Cure Lovely." With their sights set on protecting the world, Megumi and Hime form a new Precure team known as the "Happiness Charge Precure" whilst embarking on a journey to discover true love. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   30. Future Card Buddyfight フューチャーカード バディファイト [Xebec, OLM] (Finished 1/64) Tags: Strategy Game  An adaptation of the Future Card Buddyfight card game. Future Card Buddyfight takes place in a more futuristic version of today. The card game connects to a parallel universe through special cards (Buddy Rare Cards) that act as portals. They bring monsters to Earth in order for them to become buddies with humans. Through friendship and courage, they take on and fight challenges, known as Buddyfights, where people of all ages have friendly non-hurtful competitions. The main character, Gaou Mikado has just started Buddyfighting. As the story progresses, Buddyfights are seeming to become a little too real... Cool new card game! Kids stuff again.   Overall Rating: 5/10   31. Tesagure! Bukatsumono Encore てさぐれ！部活もの あんこーる [Yaoyorozu] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Parody, School Slice of Life Second season of Tesagure! Bukatsumono. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   32. X Maiden エクスメイデン [Lambert] (Finished 1/8) Tags: School Comedy, Slice of Life  In 20XX C.E., a mysterious alien race named Firow suddenly appears on Earth. The Firow's dreadful attacks force humanity to engage in a difficult battle. But humanity's last hope, the X Maiden who wear weapons built to destroy the Firow, are about to set out. Not translated and full CGI and half length. And it's all just talks.   Overall Rating: 5/10   33. Nanocore 纳米核心 [Coastline Animation Studio] (Finished 4/10) Tags: Sci-Fi  Nanocore is a science fiction Chinese cartoon in 3D. The stage of the story is established on a fictional planet Birthigin. In this young planet, humanity will never stop longing for a bright future despite reason and fear. In revolutions and evolutions, humanity keeps challenging the Creator, and which eventually induces contractions intensified. People choose to wake up and struggle for their own ideals. They end the peace and angers sweep the whole planet, resulting in outbreak of the crisis known as Purple Fog. In time of humans facing their odds of survival, the plan N.S.P led by the elite keeps frustrating until NanoCore's involving. It brings the plan his birth. As the existence, that the elite thinks should lead the development of human weapons, however, he breaks shackles of fate, and arrives at a land where faith no longer exists. He learns to make choices and grows up with them, and the dim future of Birthigin thus begins to change. Chinese and full CGI. It's looks like a pretty shameless FFVII ripoff for beginning with different characters and more mecha. As such, it's not the worst of its kind.   Overall Rating: 6/10   34. Hori-san to Miyamura-kun 堀さんと宮村くん [Gonzo, Hoods Entertainment, Studio Kai, Marone] (Finished 1/6) Tags: School Romance Within everyone there exists a side preferably kept hidden, even from close friends. For the smart and popular Kyouko Hori, it's the fact that she has to do all the housework and care for her little brother, Souta, because of her parents' busy work schedules. For the gentle Izumi Miyamura, whom everybody sees as an otaku, it's his nine hidden piercings and large body tattoo. So what happens when they accidentally discover each other's hidden sides? Sharing parts of themselves that they couldn't with anyone else, strong bonds of friendship soon begin to form between Miyamura and Hori, as well as those around them. As their hidden personas start to dissipate, they slowly learn how to open up to others. Too many cliche for me. Art is super simplistic as if from the previous century. Don't see a reason to watch this over remake version.   Overall Rating: 6/10   35. Zetsumetsu Kigu Shoujo: Amazing Twins 絶滅危愚少女 Amazing Twins [Encourage Films] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Slice of Life Amane Todoroki is a young girl who is straightforward but also unthinking. She will try her very best in everything and say, "I don't know how to answer you if you ask me whether this can be done. I just believe it can. If not, then nothing will get started!" She easily gets stuck in her thinking, but she can also get easily moved at something small and start crying. It's a mix of espers and magical girls in a less than an hour gig, so pretty horrible.   Overall Rating: 5/10   36. Wild Adapter ワイルドアダプター [Anpro] (Finished 1/2) Tags: Shoujo Action, Drama, Mystery Makoto Kubota wandered through life, not taking things too seriously or looking too deep within himself. His job as the head of the Izumo Group's youth gang kept him pleasantly occupied with yakuza wars, mahjong and assassinations... Until the day he stumbled upon a strange drug called Wild Adapter that produces bizarre side-effects—including death. Forever changed, Kubota becomes entangled with a drifter named Minoru Tokito, and the two form an unlikely companionship that draws them deeper into the mystery of Wild Adapter... Freaking boys love not marked properly.   Overall Rating:4/10   37. Mitsuwano みツわの [Zexcs] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Slice of Life  In Kyoto, apprentices known as maiko are skilled performers of traditional dance and song. It is said their elegance and grace leaves any audience entranced. Mai Ichinose, Riko Kikuzuki, and Midori Aikawa are young girls who aspire to become maiko. They reside together in a geisha house to polish and perfect their skills, developing bonds of trust and supporting each other. However, their shared dream may prove disastrous for their friendship... When they learn about an upcoming festival, they cannot help but get excited. But soon they realize only two maiko can represent each house. It is then that the three close friends become distant, seeking to prove who is most deserving of the role. Ultimately, they must choose between fulfilling their own dream—finally within reach—or keeping their treasured friendship alive. Just boring short SOL.   Overall Rating: 5/10   38. Giovanni no Shima Giovanni's Island ジョバンニの島 [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical Award Winning, Drama  In the aftermath of the most devastating conflict mankind had ever experienced, the tiny island of Shikotan became part of the Sakhalin Oblast... and on the unhealed border in this remote corner of the world, friendship among children from two different countries timidly blossomed, striving to overcome language barriers and the waves of history. Inspired by true events. On August 15th, they told us we had lost the war. At that time, we did not really understand. Then one day, everything changed. Many soldiers, wearing uniforms we had never seen before, arrived on the island. That was the day I met Tanya. A good movie to shed a tear over the Japanese youth pushed away from Kuril islands, but it's not exceptional.   Overall Rating: 6/10   39. Wake Up, Girls! Shichinin no Idol Wake Up, Girls! The Movie Wake Up, Girls！七人のアイドル [Tatsunoko Production, Ordet] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Drama In Wake Up, Girls! Green Leaves Entertainment is in the worst situation any Talent Management Agency can be in... they have NO talent! Desperate for an act, President Junko Tange targets the idol singer market and gives her flunky Matsuda his marching orders: get a girl group to manage, even if it means building one from scratch! Since complete singing groups rarely appear out of thin air, Matsuda's now in the difficult position of having to find girls with the right skills who don't already have contracts with Japan's music industry. That girl at the Maid Café? Good enough! A lead singer who's been fired from another group? Sure, why not? How about one who's only 13 years old? What could possibly go wrong there? They may not be on the A-list, the B-List, or even the C-list to start, but with a little love and a whole lot of hard work, it's possible that all Japan may someday wake up to the music of WAKE UP, GIRLS! I don't like prequels much. As usual, it does not feel needed, still ok.   Overall Rating: 6/10   40. Robot Girls Z ロボットガールズＺ [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/3) Tags: Mecha, Parody Comedy The story revolves around a new team of "Toei robot girls" named "Team Z" that is made up of three girls based on Toei's Mazinger Z franchise: Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger, and UFO Robot Grendizer. Usually they perform in activities around Nerima ward in Tokyo to raise the awareness of the promising future energy source "Photon Power" (koushiryoku). However, there are times when "Mechanical Beast" team of girls emerge from the "Subterranean Empire" and attempt to steal the energy. Thus "Team Z" has to battle them to prevent this, though sometimes they just go and beat up the "bad girls" to relieve stress. Please note that because in this particular case MAL lists airings, not episodes/chapters/parts, this show is considered to be 3 episodes and not 9. Each of the three airings consisted of three episodes for a total runtime of 27 minutes per airing. The duration on MAL reflects this. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  9. 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
  10. kivandopulus
    Comedy Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun is the winner. Last Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Ghost in the Shell - Border:4 Ghost Stands Alone movie also impressed me to a degree.   1. Tokyo Ghoul 東京喰種-トーキョーグール-  [Pierrot] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Gore, Psychological Action, Fantasy, Horror A sinister threat is invading Tokyo: flesh-eating "ghouls" who appear identical to humans and blend into their population. Reserved college student Ken Kaneki buries his nose in books and avoids the news of the growing crisis. However, the appearance of an attractive woman named Rize Kamishiro shatters his solitude when she forwardly asks him on a date. While walking Rize home, Kaneki discovers she isn't as kind as she first appeared, and she has led him on with sinister intent. After a tragic struggle, he later awakens in a hospital to learn his life was saved by transplanting the now deceased Rize's organs into his own body. Kaneki's body begins to change in horrifying ways, and he transforms into a human-ghoul hybrid. As he embarks on his new dreadful journey, Kaneki clings to his humanity in the evolving bloody conflict between society's new monsters and the government agents who hunt them. To tell the truth, I initially dropped it, because it was rather repulsive. But seeing how popular it is, need to finish original season. And I don't see what to like here. Each time someone lures protagonist out of his safe heaven, and each time the only reason to attack him is because he smells tasty. Another brainless flashy action shounen with typical protagonist, but this time also with cannibalism and gore.   Overall Rating: 5/10   2. Akame ga Kill! アカメが斬る！ [White Fox] (Finished 24/24) Tags: Shounen Gore, Super Power Action, Fantasy Night Raid is the covert assassination branch of the Revolutionary Army, an uprising assembled to overthrow Prime Minister Honest, whose avarice and greed for power has led him to take advantage of the child emperor's inexperience. Without a strong and benevolent leader, the rest of the nation is left to drown in poverty, strife, and ruin. Though the Night Raid members are all experienced killers, they understand that taking lives is far from commendable and that they will likely face retribution as they mercilessly eliminate anyone who stands in the revolution's way. This merry band of assassins' newest member is Tatsumi, a naïve boy from a remote village who had embarked on a journey to help his impoverished hometown and was won over by not only Night Raid's ideals, but also their resolve. Akame ga Kill! follows Tatsumi as he fights the Empire and comes face-to-face with powerful weapons, enemy assassins, challenges to his own morals and values, and ultimately, what it truly means to be an assassin with a cause. Another surprisingly popular title with rather plain shounen synopsis. Of course, protagonist is a typical dimwit, but with fighting talents. There's a huge cast of powerful allies, so it feels only natural that they would face an even greater danger. Most of allies are just cliche personalities that aren't to be regretted, anyway. From the start I only expected Akame and protagonist to survive. I did this prediction before any ally died, so it can't be called a spoiler. Let's just say that it it was not that far from realization. So what we get is simplicity and cheap taking out characters instead of complexity of capital. Everything is black and white, and villains are necessarily torturers and sadists. It reeks of false emotions, cheap moves and undeveloped characters, so it does not deserve a masterpiece status.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Sword Art Online II ソードアート・オンライン II [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 24/24) Tags: Love Polygon, Video Game Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance A year after escaping Sword Art Online, Kazuto Kirigaya has been settling back into the real world. However, his peace is short-lived as a new incident occurs in a game called Gun Gale Online, where a player by the name of Death Gun appears to be killing people in the real world by shooting them in-game. Approached by officials to assist in investigating the murders, Kazuto assumes his persona of Kirito once again and logs into Gun Gale Online, intent on stopping the killer. Once inside, Kirito meets Sinon, a highly skilled sniper afflicted by a traumatic past. She is soon dragged in his chase after Death Gun, and together they enter the Bullet of Bullets, a tournament where their target is sure to appear. Uncertain of Death Gun's real powers, Kirito and Sinon race to stop him before he has the chance to claim another life. Not everything goes smoothly, however, as scars from the past impede their progress. In a high-stakes game where the next victim could easily be one of them, Kirito puts his life on the line in the virtual world once more. I refuse to acknowledge this. It has some nice moments, but it's not really enjoyable for me. The way it disguises a totally different anime for SAO by using some of the same characters and some ties is misleading.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Zankyou no Terror Terror in Resonance 残響のテロル [MAPPA] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Detective, Psychological Mystery, Suspense Painted in red, the word "VON" is all that is left behind after a terrorist attack on a nuclear facility in Japan. The government is shattered by their inability to act, and the police are left frantically searching for ways to crack down the perpetrators. The public are clueless—until, six months later, a strange video makes its way onto the internet. In it, two teenage boys who identify themselves only as "Sphinx" directly challenge the police, threatening to cause destruction and mayhem across Tokyo. Unable to stop the mass panic quickly spreading through the city and desperate for any leads in their investigation, the police struggle to act effectively against these terrorists, with Detective Kenjirou Shibazaki caught in the middle of it all. Zankyou no Terror tells the story of Nine and Twelve, the two boys behind the masked figures of Sphinx. They should not exist, yet they stand strong in a world of deception and secrets while they make the city fall around them, all in the hopes of burying their own tragic truth. That's a weird little anime that I watched before, but it completely burned out of memory, and that alone says a lot for me. Basically, it's imitation of genius Ghost in the Shell the Laughing Man case as some kids with initially good intentions fool around the government and come out victorious from fierce confrontation thanks to wits, planning and bit of luck. For me it all looked amateurish, unrealistic and too twisty in order to provide material for eleven episodes. Maybe after works like this I grew to hate mysteries as genre.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun 月刊少女野崎くん [Doga Kobo] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Otaku Culture, School Comedy, Romance Chiyo Sakura is a cheerful high school girl who has fallen head over heels for the oblivious Umetarou Nozaki. Much to Chiyo's confusion, when she confesses to her beloved Nozaki, he hands her an unfamiliar autograph. As it turns out, the stoic teenage boy is actually a respected shoujo mangaka, publishing under the pen name Sakiko Yumeno! A series of misunderstandings leads to Chiyo becoming one of Nozaki's manga assistants. Throughout the hilarious events that ensue, she befriends many of her quirky schoolmates, including her seemingly shameless fellow assistant, Mikoto Mikoshiba, and the "Prince of the School," Yuu Kashima. Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun follows Chiyo as she strives to help Nozaki with his manga and hopes that he will eventually notice her feelings. Not sure whether I finished it or not before, but it deserves finishing. A good comedy around drawing manga. It's full-length, and the level of enjoyment is comparable to Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun, so it deserves the same score.   Overall Rating: 8/10   6. Ao Haru Ride Blue Spring Ride アオハライド [Production I.G] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shoujo School Romance While most young girls make an effort to show off their feminine charms, Futaba Yoshioka deliberately behaves like she wants to repel anyone who might be attracted to her. Ostracized by her female classmates in middle school for being a little too popular with the boys, she desperately strives to avoid a similar situation in high school by being unnecessarily noisy and graceless. Nevertheless, scattered among Futaba's unpleasant memories are the treasured moments with the boy she had a crush on, Kou Tanaka. Unfortunately, that spell abruptly ended on a sour note when he suddenly stopped attending school and never came back. When Futaba finds out that Kou has returned—with a different last name this time—she can already feel the butterflies in her stomach. However, Kou Mabuchi is not the warm boy that she remembers from her days in middle school; he is now taller, more charismatic and withdrawn—making him far less approachable. Futaba believes that if she returns to her former self, Kou will begin to take notice of her again. But is she prepared to sacrifice her bubble of normalcy and risk losing her friends in the process? Serious shoujo is pretty boring no matter how I look at it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Barakamon ばらかもん [Kinema Citrus] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Childcare, Iyashikei, Visual Arts Slice of Life Seishuu Handa is an up-and-coming calligrapher: young, handsome, talented, and unfortunately, a narcissist to boot. When a veteran labels his award-winning piece as "unoriginal," Seishuu quickly loses his cool with severe repercussions. As punishment, and also in order to aid him in self-reflection, Seishuu's father exiles him to the Goto Islands, far from the comfortable Tokyo lifestyle the temperamental artist is used to. Now thrown into a rural setting, Seishuu must attempt to find new inspiration and develop his own unique art style—that is, if boisterous children (headed by the frisky Naru Kotoishi), fujoshi middle schoolers, and energetic old men stop barging into his house! The newest addition to the intimate and quirky Goto community only wants to get some work done, but the islands are far from the peaceful countryside he signed up for. Thanks to his wacky neighbors who are entirely incapable of minding their own business, the arrogant calligrapher learns so much more than he ever hoped to. Childcare anime without actual childcare as it's neighbors' kid, so mundane side is excluded and only fun part remains. On the other hand it's really difficult to empathize with the protagonist, because calligraphy is nonsense. It's not super interesting or funny, but characters are good, plus some parts like fujoushi are still fun. Just good SOL with occasional humor is not enough for me. Is it a good anime? Yes. Do I enjoy it? No.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Aldnoah.Zero アルドノア・ゼロ [A-1 Pictures, TROYCA] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Mecha, Military Action, Sci-Fi The discovery of a hypergate on the Moon once allowed the human race to teleport to Mars. Those who chose to settle there unearthed a technology far more advanced than that of their home planet, which they named "Aldnoah." This discovery led to the founding of the Vers Empire of Mars and a declaration of war against the "Terrans," those who stayed behind on Earth. However, a battle on the moon—later called "Heaven's Fall"—caused the hypergate to explode, destroying the moon and leading the two planets to establish an uneasy ceasefire. Their peace was a fragile one, however. Fifteen years later, high school student Inaho Kaizuka witnesses the plotted assassination of the Vers Empire's Princess Asseylum Vers Allusia, who had come to Earth in hopes of repairing the relationship between the empire and its homeland. The ceasefire is shattered, and the Martians declare war on the Terrans once again. In the face of this insurmountable enemy, Inaho and his friends must now fight against the Vers Empire to settle the war once and for all. Description that Gundam meets Code Geass is pretty accurate, because overpowered Martians with one hesitating protagonist attack and another earthling protagonist does miracles in one of few remaining mecha on this side. Introduction takes as many as three episodes, afterwards it gets black and white. Battles are done in CGI, so not really good. So basically we know what's going to happen from the start, action is not good and characters are rather bland maybe except for hesitating Martian. There's not much incentive to watch it further, to be honest.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Hanamonogatari 花物語 [Shaft] (Finished 1/5) Tags: Comedy, Mystery, Supernatural  Now that Koyomi Araragi and Hitagi Senjougahara have graduated, very few familiar faces remain at Naoetsu Private High School. One of these is Suruga Kanbaru, holder of the Monkey's Paw. When she begins to hear talk of a mysterious being known as the "Devil" who will magically solve any problem, Kanbaru immediately thinks these rumors are about her and decides to investigate. She discovers the Devil is actually Rouka Numachi, a former basketball rival from junior high who is no longer able to play due to a leg injury. Rouka provides free advice to those who seek her out. Acting as a collector of misfortune, she enjoys relieving the stress of her clients by providing them with the false hope of having their problems solved. Although Kanbaru sees no real harm being done, she reprimands Rouka for lying and heads home, relieved she is not the cause of the rumors. But she may have a reason to worry after all: she finds that her left hand has reverted back to its human form. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Free! Eternal Summer Free! - Eternal Summer  [Kyoto Animation, Animation Do] (Finished 1/13) Tags: School Sports  Even though it has been a year since the Iwatobi High School Swim Club has been created, new members have yet to join the club. Now that Haruka Nanase and Makoto Tachibana are senior students, along with their younger friends Nagisa Hazuki and Rei Ryuugazaki, they have to find a way to attract new members. If not, the club will be forced to close the following year due to a lack of membership. Meanwhile, with impending graduation, it is also time for the seniors to decide their plans for the future. Unlike their friend Rin Matsuoka, the new captain of Samezuka Academy Swim Club who is determined to fulfill his dream of being a professional swimmer, Haruka and Makoto are unsure about what career path they want to take. Further problems arise when an old friend of Rin's, Sousuke Yamazaki, comes to the city to study at Samezuka Academy; the recently scouted swimmer's arrival causes tension in the relationship among him, Rin, and Haruka. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   11. Kuroshitsuji: Book of Circus Black Butler: Book of Circus 黒執事 Book of Circus [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Shounen Historical, Mythology Action, Fantasy, Mystery Full of wonder and excitement, the Noah's Arc Circus troupe has captured audiences with their dazzling performances. Yet these fantastic acts do not come without a price. Children have mysteriously gone missing around London, correlating to that of the group's movements. Unsettled by these kidnappings, Queen Victoria sends in her notorious guard dog, Ciel Phantomhive; and his ever-faithful demon butler, Sebastian Michaelis, on an undercover mission to find these missing children. Trying to balance their new circus acts with their covert investigation under the big top, however, proves to be quite a challenge. With the other performers growing suspicious and the threat of the circus' mysterious benefactor looming overhead, what the two discover will shake Ciel to his very core. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Seireitsukai no Blade Dance Blade Dance of the Elementalers 精霊使いの剣舞〈ブレイドダンス〉 [TNK] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Harem, School Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi On his way to Areishia Spirit Academy, Kamito Kazehaya runs into a naked Claire Rouge, a student who had been bathing as part of a purification ceremony. She had been preparing to form a contract with a powerful spirit in order to acquire more power as an "elementalist." Her efforts are wasted, however, when Kamito ends up with the spirit despite the fact that only shrine maidens can become elementalists. Yet to be discouraged, Claire then announces that Kamito must become her contracted spirit instead! After reaching the school grounds, Kamito escapes from Claire and meets Headmaster Greyworth Ciel Mais, who invites him to enroll at the academy. Although his life at Areishia will be far from easy as the only male student among the shrine princesses-in-training, he begrudgingly accepts in exchange for information about his former contracted spirit, Restia Ashdoll. Adding on to that, he also must fulfill Greyworth's main request: to win in the Blade Dance, a battle festival occurring in two months, where he will face the strongest elementalist rumored to be contracted with a darkness spirit. Ecchi harem with binding contract with a powerful girl... such a beaten concept. Slightly perverted protagonist, nice action and enough attention to characters pull it out of mediocrity, but it's nowhere near great.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Rail Wars! RAIL WARS! [レールウォーズ] [Passione] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Detective, Harem, Workplace Action, Ecchi Rail Wars! takes place in an alternate universe where the Japanese government remains in control of the nation's railway systems. Because of the stability afforded by the leadership of the government, the railway system is allowed to flourish. Naoto Takayama aspires to become an employee for Japan National Railways because of the comfortable life that it will enable him to live. In order to accomplish this he enters its training program, where students must demonstrate their knowledge of trains as well as their ability to be ready for any challenge that might arise. During this time period he will encounter other students such as the athletically gifted Aoi Sakura, the constantly hungry Sho Iwaizumi, and the human encyclopedia Haruka Komi. Together they will work towards surviving their trainee period, all the while taking on purse snatchers, bomb threats, and the looming specter of the extremist “RJ” group who wants to privatize the railway system. Just SOL in government organization with no fun involved. Since there's no plot, some detective elements are introduced. If you don't like trains like Sheldon Cooper, there's little hope here.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!? Invaders of the Rokujyoma!? 六畳間の侵略者！？ [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Supernatural After Koutarou Satomi's father is suddenly relocated for his job, the first-year high school student is faced with finding a cheap place to live by himself. Naturally, he jumps at the chance to move into Corona House's Room 106 for a mere five thousand yen a month. But while everything goes well at first, Koutarou soon gets a lot more than he bargained for after stumbling upon a mysterious cave while working his part-time job. The following night, Koutarou is visited by various seemingly mythical figures, all of whom claim ownership of the poor student's apartment. Among the invaders are Sanae Higashihongan, a ghost supposedly haunting the room, magical girl Yurika, alien princess Theiamillis Gre Fortorthe, and Kiriha Kurano, a direct descendant of the Earth People. But more importantly, each of these four girls needs Koutarou's apartment for her own reasons and won’t back down without a fight! Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!? is a comedic battle royale over a six-tatami mat apartment involving supernatural beings, romantic high school hijinks, and a deceptively cordial landlady. Pretty sure that harem watchers are target audience here, because harem approach is fresh and without jealousy. But there's nothing for me to enjoy - no story, no fun, no good characters.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Tokyo ESP [Xebec] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Super Power Action, Sci-Fi, Supernatural Rinka Urushiba works part time as a waitress to help out her unemployed father. By all accounts, her life in Tokyo is a relatively normal one—but her sense of normalcy begins to fade when she inexplicably sees a flying penguin one day. Chasing it all the way to the top of a building, she encounters more surprises, including flying goldfish and another person—a classmate named Kyoutarou Azuma—who can also see these strange things. After Rinka passes out when a goldfish phases through her, she wakes up an esper with the ability to phase her body through solid matter. However, her newfound ability is not the only strange thing about her: when she uses her powers, her hair turns white. Deciding reluctantly to use this new gift to help the city, she becomes Tokyo's new hero, dubbed the "White Girl." Along with Kyoutarou, who gained the power of teleportation, Rinka begins righting the wrongs in the city while fighting other espers who have much less noble intentions. Espers is one of the worst themes possible, and Xebec is the company that never produced anything great, so it did not have a chance with me from the start. And synopsis is so superhero'ish and messy that I don't want to move past first episode. Fighting action and gore are here, so it will have some fans anyway.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Re:␣Hamatora Re: Hamatora: Season 2 Re:␣ ハマトラ [Lerche] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Detective, Super Power Action, Mystery, Supernatural It has been three months since the incident at Yokohama. Things have been settling down at Cafe Nowhere. Murasaki and Hajime have teamed up and started investigating again. After an unforeseen reunion, Art holds Nice at gunpoint. What are his real intentions? What will become of the connection between Art and Hamatora? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. DRAMAtical Murder ドラマティカル マーダー [NAZ] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Psychological, Super Power Action, Sci-Fi Some time ago, the influential and powerful Toue Inc. bought the island of Midorijima, Japan, with the plans of building Platinum Jail—a luxurious utopian facility. Those who are lucky enough to call it home are the wealthiest citizens in the world. The original residents of the island, however, were forced to relocate to the Old Residential District; and after the completion of Platinum Jail, they were completely abandoned. "Rib" and "Rhyme" are the most common games played on the island. Rib is an old school game in which gangs engage in turf wars against each other, while Rhyme is a technologically advanced game wherein participants fight in a virtual reality. To be able to play Rhyme, you must have an "All-Mate" (an AI that typically looks like a pet), and the match must be mediated by an "Usui." Aoba Seragaki has no interest in playing either game; he prefers to live a peaceful life with his grandmother and All-Mate, Ren. However, after getting forcefully dragged into a dangerous Rhyme match and hearing rumors about disappearing Rib players, all of Aoba's hopes of living a normal life are completely abolished. I used to watch everything cyberpunk, and DRAMAtical Murder was quite ok, but for some strange reason I tried visual novel afterwards, and it had unavoidable forced violations. Needless to say, I don't want to have anything common with this anime anymore.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Glasslip グラスリップ [P.A. Works] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Love Polygon, Visual Arts Romance, Supernatural What if you hold the power to hear the voices or see fragments of images from the future? Would that be a good thing or a bad thing? Glasslip follows the life of Touko Fukami, an aspiring glass artist born from a glass artisan family. She enjoys her worry-free life in Fukui, save for the fragments of images that she sees on occasion. On her 18th summer, she meets the transfer student Kakeru Okikura at her school, and then again at her favorite café called Kazemichi together with all four of her friends. The voices from the future lead Kakeru to Touko, and his arrival disrupts her mediocre existence. All six of the friends must face their most unforgettable summer full of hope, affection, and heartache. I used to watch everything from P.A. Works on release, because it always had great visuals, but at least I don't have to go through this bore now. And just as with Red Data Girl I never understood the point of it - just waste of time.   Overall Rating: 5/10   19. Space☆Dandy 2nd Season Space Dandy 2nd Season スペース☆ダンディ 第2シリーズ [Bones] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Adult Cast, Space Comedy, Sci-Fi Second season of Space Dandy. Space Dandy is a dandy guy, in space! This dreamy adventurer with a to-die-for pompadour travels across the galaxy in search of aliens no one has ever laid eyes on. Each new species he discovers earns him a hefty reward, but this dandy has to be quick on his feet because it's first come, first served! Accompanied by his sidekicks, a rundown robot named QT and Meow the cat-looking space alien, Dandy bravely explores unknown worlds inhabited by a variety of aliens. Join the best dressed alien hunter in all of space and time as he embarks on an adventure that ends at the edge of the universe! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya 2wei! Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya 2Wei! Fate/kaleid liner プリズマ☆イリヤ ツヴァイ! [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Comedy, Fantasy  Another lovely summer goes by for Illyasviel von Einzbern. Taking a break from her magical girl duties, she enjoys her time off after collecting the Class Cards with her best friend Miyu Edelfelt. However, her break comes to an abrupt end when she and Miyu are abducted by Rin Toosaka and Luviagelita Edelfelt, while out with her friends. The magical girls learn that their work is far from over, as Clock Tower informs them that the out of control mana thought to have been sealed continues to be dispersing throughout Fuyuki City. After heading to the origin point of the out of control mana, Illya and Miyu are tasked with solving the anomaly. But after casting their spell, Illyasviel discovers that she's split into two people! As this mysterious new form darts off, she can only wonder: what is to come from the existence of her dopplegänger, running amok in the unsuspecting town? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   21. Sabage-bu! Sabagebu! -Survival Game Club!- さばげぶっ! [Pierrot Plus] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shoujo CGDCT, School Action, Comedy On a train to her new middle school, Momoka Sonokawa is preyed upon by a molester, only to be rescued by a girl wielding dual pistols. The girl turns out to be Miou Ootori, Momoka's upperclassman and president of the Aogiri Academy's Survival Game Club, called Sabage-bu for short. Noticing Momoka's aptitude with a pistol, Miou takes a liking to her and tries to persuade her to join the club. In spite of her steadfast refusal, Momoka inexplicably finds herself a member of Sabage-bu. Sabage-bu is anything but a typical middle-school club. Its members' socially awkward behaviors scare Momoka. Their personalities range from the fanatical to the completely delusional. They do not hold back from walking around public areas wearing ghillie suits or even bungee jumping from the school building. Thrown together with this collection of survival game maniacs, the zealously ordinary Momoka must somehow adjust to her unexpectedly wild school life. There have been so many survival/paintball club anime that they all mix into some slimy mess in my memory. But what I remember for sure is that none of them was great. This one stands out for trying into humor. But it's not good enough to save the day for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Hanayamata ハナヤマタ [Madhouse] (Finished 2/12) Tags: CGDCT, Iyashikei, Performing Arts, School Slice of Life At the tender age of 14, high school student Naru Sekiya finds that she pales in comparison to the fairy tale princesses she adores so much, not to mention the ideal girl she wants to be in contrast to her peers. Her childhood friend Yaya Sasame is enjoying herself with her school rock band, while her other childhood friend Tami Nishimikado is a member of the student council. Desiring the strength to take the next step forward, Naru has wanted a magic key to open her timid heart since the start of high school. During one moonlit night, Naru encounters what she believes is a cute fairy standing atop a torii gate who shortly invites her to dance with her. The next day, she discovers that the "fairy" was not only just an ordinary girl, but also a transfer high school student from America! Excited to meet Naru again, Hana N. Fountainstand encourages her to help her start a club for yosakoi, a festive type of Japanese dance that Hana has been entranced by since childhood. Though initially terrified of Hana's enthusiasm and the thought of being seen dancing, Naru slowly finds herself immersed in the art of yosakoi and assisting her new friend achieve her dream—for the path for a maiden such as herself is at the mercy of the wind! I've learned only now that cute girls doing cute things is actually a genre now that's called CGDCT. But this genre does not work out for me without decent comedy or at least some meaningful and interesting activity like in K-On paired up with ultimate cuteness. Hanayamata is neither - not cute, not interesting, not funny.   Overall Rating: 5/10   23. Persona 4 the Golden Animation ペルソナ4 ザ・ゴールデンアニメーション [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School, Super Power Adventure, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Supernatural Spring. Far from the city, time flows peacefully in this rural town. As the cherry blossoms scatter in the wind, a young man named Yu Narukami steps off the train at Yasoinaba Station. Yu has come to this town, where his uncle lives, for family reasons; he will be transferring into the local high school, Yasogami High. And so begins his school life... The shopping mall after school. A series of murders taking place in town. The Midnight Channel, airing late at night.... What lies in store for Yu and his friends ‘this time around? Wait a minute, there was already Persona 4 Animation in 2012... but who cares - did not like the game, can't like the anime.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Majimoji Rurumo Magimoji Rurumo まじもじるるも [J.C.Staff] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Shounen School Comedy, Fantasy, Ecchi After an unfortunate accident, completely normal heterosexual high school student Kouta Shibaki is branded as the school pervert. With girls avoiding Kouta like the plague, truly the young man's worst nightmare has come to fruition! One day in the school library, he stumbles upon a peculiar book said to possess the power to summon witches. Partly out of desperation, partly out of boredom, Kouta decides to play along with the joke of a book, until an apprentice witch going by the name of Rurumo Maji Mojiruka appears before him. In an unusual turn of events, Kouta ends up helping Rurumo with some general witchery tasks in exchange for his soul being spared. Majimoji Rurumo follows the misadventures of Rurumo as she attempts to persuade Kouta to use 666 magical wish-granting tickets in her efforts to become a fully-fledged witch, unaware that every time she grants a wish, Kouta's life is shortened. Aided by Rurumo's familiar Chiro, Kouta must decide between helping Rurumo or saving his own life. It's slightly perverted, but concept is rather messy and it's just not fun for a comedy - more like SOL with elements of fantasy and constant protagonist antics.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Jinsei JINSEI -Life Consulting- 人生相談テレビアニメーション「人生」 [feel.] (Finished 1/13) Tags: School Comedy, Slice of Life Yuuki Akamatsu lives a normal high school life... that is until his cousin, Ayaka Nikaidou, convinces him to join the Journalism Club as a life consultant! His new job is to manage the advice column for the school's weekly newspaper to help him become more social. Soon, Yuuki is joined by three girls: the smart and shy Rino Endou, the athletic and outgoing Ikumi Suzuki, and the cultured and sweet Fumi Kujou. Together, they solve the personal problems of those who anonymously ask for advice. Although each of the new life consultants has their own unique perspective, they are able to reach solutions together by holding debates and social experiments throughout the week. However, as time goes on, the four slowly come to realize that they have not only been guiding other students through their troubles, but also working through problems of their own as well. Basically, it's another club, but about counselling. Compared to K-On, it has similarly interesting activity, but it's not cute enough. It has to be inventive with situations, but in reality these situations get pretty silly with it all becoming nonsense. And, again, I'm not enjoying this.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Nobunaga Concerto 信長協奏曲〈コンツェルト〉 [Fuji TV] (Finished 5/10) Tags: Shounen Historical, Time Travel Comedy, Romance "Who cares about what happened in Japan's past? It has nothing to do with my life." With these words, carefree high school student Saburou finds himself unceremoniously thrown back in time to the Sengoku Era, landing directly in front of the legendary general Nobunaga Oda. Nobunaga, on the run from his retainers and wishing to rest due to his frailty, beseeches Saburou to take his place, as the two bear an uncanny resemblance. Although Saburou is still confused by his surroundings, Nobunaga hurriedly provides the boy with the necessary items to prove that he is the bona fide feudal lord and makes a hasty getaway. Now a stand-in for someone he doesn't even know all that much about—though his modern experiences and knowledge are sure to help him—Saburou begins his unexpected quest to pose as the man who attempted to unite all of Japan. It's ugly and full of CGI. It's not funny or entertaining or interesting. I consider this alternative isekai a total failure.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Futsuu no Joshikousei ga [Locodol] Yattemita. Locodol 普通の女子校生が【ろこどる】やってみた。 [feel.] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Idols (Female) Comedy, Slice of Life In the town of Nagarekawa, Nanako Usami, an ordinary high school girl, is approached by her uncle to become a local idol or "Locodol," partnering with upperclassman Yukari Kohinata to form the idol unit, Nagarekawa Girls. As the girls use their talent to promote Nagarekawa and their businesses, they are joined by Yui Mikoze, who acts as the local mascot, and Mirai Nazukari, who serves as Yui's substitute. There have been quite a lot of local idol anime lately, and this one has set the trend. It's cute, but there's nothing essential to pick up here.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Shirogane no Ishi: Argevollen Argevollen 白銀の意思 アルジェヴォルン [Xebec] (Finished 5/24) Tags: Mecha Action  The Kingdom of Arandas alliance and the Countries Unification of Ingelmia have been at war for many years. The fortress of the Great Wall has remained firmly closed, but when it creaks open, the complexion of the war starts to change dramatically. A new recruit, Susumu Tokimune, is waiting for his first battle. He takes the lead without thinking of the possibility of being trapped, and has a fatal encounter with engineer Jamie Hazaford and the Silver Trailkrieger, Argevollen. The encounter takes place in a corner of the world where fighting has become the norm. This small coincidence is going to change the future of Tokimune's Independent 8th platoon, as well as the course of the war. Xebec original mecha is almost necessarily means trash. Rare battles are CGI-filled, and outside battles it's terribly boring.   Overall Rating: 5/10   29. Momo Kyun Sword モモキュンソード  [Project No.9, Tri-Slash] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Comedy, Fantasy, Ecchi  Momoko is a beautiful young sword fighter who was born inside a peach (momo in Japanese). She lives with her constant companions—the dog god Inugami, the monkey god Sarugami, and the pheasant god Kijigami—in a peaceful paradise. However, a demon army led by devil king invades the paradise and steals the precious treasure that protects Momoko's land. To retrieve the treasure and save the people, Momoko embarks on a great adventure with her three companions. Weird mahou shoujo ecchi parody with momoko legend flavor.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Bakumatsu Rock Samurai Jam -Bakumatsu Rock- 幕末Rock [Studio Deen] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Historical, Music, Performing Arts Action, Comedy Ryouma Sakamoto wants everyone to know about his passion for rock 'n' roll, so he roams around town with his electric guitar willing to show anyone he encounters that he's just as skilled as the famous Shinsengumi stars they admire. Unfortunately, Japan doesn't allow anything other than that group's Heaven's Songs, for writing or performing different types of music is forbidden and can lead to harsh consequences. Agitated by these strict rules and brainwashing, Ryouma does everything he can to show people that the music he loves will bring them the freedom they deserve. Along with his bandmates Shinsaku Takasugi and Kogoru Katsura, Ryouma works hard to find places for his rock 'n' roll group to perform. Refusing to back down until their music is accepted in Japan, the trio begin to realize that there's more to their passion than they had thought. Bishounen samurai playing rock... that's very weird and pointless.   Overall Rating: 5/10   31. Sengoku Basara: Judge End Sengoku BASARA: End of Judgement 戦国BASARA Judge End [Telecom Animation Film] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Historical, Martial Arts, Samurai, Super Power Action Based on CAPCOM's 2010 game Sengoku Basara 3 (Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes), Sengoku Basara: Judge End will depict the epic Battle of Sekigahara. Remake.   Overall Rating: 6/10   32. PriPara プリパラ [Tatsunoko Production, Dongwoo A&E] (Finished 1/140) Tags: Idols (Female), Music, School Slice of Life Every little girl waits for the day she'll get her special ticket, one that will grant her entry into the world of PriPara (Prism Paradise). PriPara is a world of music, fashion, and daily auditions for a chance to become a pop idol. Laala Manaka's friends and classmates aspire to become idols, but her school forbids elementary school students from participating in the idol competitions. Luckily, Laala is only interested in watching the idol shows. Yet somehow despite all this, she manages to bumble her way into the PriPara world, and debut as a fresh new talent. After being told all her life that she's too loud, Laala has finally found a place where she can be as loud as she wants and sing from her heart. And not only that, but there's a possibility that she might be the legendary Prism Voice. Adventure, fashion, and music awaits as Laala climbs her way to the top, on her way to become the cutest and most beloved pop idol in the world of PriPara! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   33. Shounen Hollywood: Holly Stage for 49 少年ハリウッド-HOLLY STAGE FOR 49- [Zexcs] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Idols (Male), Music, Performing Arts  At a theater called Hollywood Tokyo in Harajuku, members of the idol group "Shounen Hollywood" develop their talents with diligent work and studying. Dreamy light-hearted bishounens look really bad, even worse than samurai rockers.   Overall Rating: 5/10   34. Minarai Diva みならいディーバ [Yaoyorozu] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Idols (Female), Music  The story follows two aspiring divas who hope to become famous through a unique brand of music. Not translated. Basically, vtubers who also sing.   Overall Rating: 5/10   35. Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Crystal Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal 美少女戦士セーラームーン Crystal [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Shoujo Mahou Shoujo, Mythology Fantasy, Romance Though a little clumsy and easily brought to tears, Usagi Tsukino is a typical 14-year-old girl in her second year of junior high. However, all of that changes when an encounter with Luna, a mysterious talking black cat, whose head bears the mark of a crescent moon, results in the animal bestowing a magical brooch upon her. Now Usagi can transform into Sailor Moon, a magical girl in a sailor uniform who protects love and peace! Usagi is appointed as a guardian of justice and is tasked with the search for the legendary Silver Crystal, a magical artifact that holds immense power, as well as finding the other Sailor Guardians and the lost princess of Luna's home, the Moon Kingdom. Her mission isn't without opposition, however; Queen Beryl, ruler of the Dark Kingdom, wants to claim the Silver Crystal and take its power for her own. Though she still has to worry about her school, family, and love life, it is up to Sailor Moon and the other Sailor Guardians to save the day! Remake.   Overall Rating: 6/10   36. Karen Senki 夏恋戦機 [Next Media Animation] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Action, Sci-Fi  In the post-apocalyptic aftermath of a war between machines and their creators, machines rule while humans exist in a state of servitude. Titular character Karen leads Resistance Group 11, an eclectic group of humans who find themselves fighting for their lives as they are hunted by the robots in each episode. Is this the end of humanity? Are they fighting a losing battle? Through Karen, we delve into a struggle between right and wrong, between indifference and love that explores some of the deepest questions about humanity. What is the difference between a thinking machine and a human being? What is a soul? Full CGI action. Quite ok, but nothing really deep or interesting .   Overall Rating: 5/10   37.  Balgwanghaneun Hyeondaesa 발광하는 현대사 [Studio Dadashow] (Finished 3/3) Tags: Drama, Slice of Life  "I can't finish you..." There's a man named Hyeon-dae who has sex and a woman named Min-joo who loves! 32-year-old man Hyeon-dae is a part-time illustration instructor. He looks like he has a normal life but he suffers from his endless sexual desires and emptiness. 27-year-old Min-joo is a traffic reporter. She always greets people with a bright smile everyday but she's smudged with pain and betrayal. They have been seeing each other for 2 years but Hyeon-dae's marriage ended things. However, they crave each other without realizing it. They are confusing sex with love and the world is a confusing place. What do they desire? Not translated. Hentai with a twist, just not marked properly.   Overall Rating: 6/10   38. Ane Log: Moyako Neesan no Tomaranai Monologue Ane Log: Big Sister Moyako's Never-ending Monologue 姉ログ 靄子姉さんの止まらないモノローグ [Brain's Base] (Finished 1/3) Tags: Shounen School Comedy, Ecchi When Konoe Moyako and her little brother, Akira, were young, he said he wanted to marry her. Naturally, Moyako decided that her little brother was a complete pervert who was obsessed with her. Now that they're both teenagers, Moyako is convinced she needs to "rehabilitate" him. However, it seems that the "perversion" is entirely in her imagination, and she can't seem to help turning completely innocent situations into creepy ones in her mind! Fantasies of older sister about her brother.   Overall Rating: 5/10   39. Mujaki no Rakuen Paradise of Innocence 無邪気の楽園 [Seven, Office No. 8] (Finished 3/3) Tags: Seinen School, Time Travel Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Shouta Handa is a jobless 25 year old who is sick and tired of his boring life. One evening, at the class reunion, he gets to meet all of the cute girls that used to be his classmates. He soon discovers that they are all successful with interesting careers, and even more importantly—really beautiful now, with bigger curves. Unfortunately, it seems that they are all aware of his boring, unsuccessful life, so they mock him and call him a loser, just like in the old days. Everything changes when Shouta goes for a walk to have a smoke and accidentally falls into the school swimming pool. This triggers a supernatural phenomenon that takes him back ten years into the past. He finds himself in the same swimming pool during swimming class, surrounded by his female classmates in bikinis. How is Shouta going to deal with their cuteness and closeness now that he is a grown man in a boy's body? Just more and more perverted situations, very narrowly focused.   Overall Rating: 5/10   40. Nekketsu Jinmen Inu: Life Is Movie 熱血人面犬 Life is Movie [CoMix Wave Films] (Finished 1/3) Tags: Parody Comedy, Mystery The "Life Is Movie" featuring indie animator Junichi Yamamoto and Flash animator Tokumaru Naoko reintroducing the Hidenori Takahashi voiced passionate human-faced dog NEET/would be detective will be released as OVA and online on the Bandai Channel later this summer. It's based on idea of materializing thoughts into reality, so it's nonsense, and parody style with short length don't leave behind any emotions, just a shrug..   Overall Rating: 5/10   41. Omoide no Marnie When Marnie Was There 思い出のマーニー [Studio Ghibli] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Psychological Drama, Mystery Suffering from frequent asthma attacks, young Anna Sasaki is quiet, unsociable, and isolated from her peers, causing her foster parent endless worry. Upon recommendation by the doctor, Anna is sent to the countryside, in hope that the cleaner air and more relaxing lifestyle will improve her health and help clear her mind. Engaging in her passion for sketching, Anna spends her summer days living with her aunt and uncle in a small town near the sea. One day while wandering outside, Anna discovers an abandoned mansion known as the Marsh House. However, she soon finds that the residence isn't as vacant as it appears to be, running into a mysterious girl named Marnie. Marnie's bubbly demeanor slowly begins to draw Anna out of her shell as she returns night after night to meet with her new friend. But it seems there is more to the strange girl than meets the eye—as her time in the town nears its end, Anna begins to discover the truth behind the walls of the Marsh House. Omoide no Marnie tells the touching story of a young girl's journey through self-discovery and friendship, and the summer that she will remember for the rest of her life. It only manages to create the mood, but the essence is a shallow disabled person background mystery. It even leaves questions unanswered.   Overall Rating: 6/10   42. Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Ghost in the Shell - Border:4 Ghost Stands Alone 攻殻機動隊ARISE -GHOST IN THE SHELL- border:4 Ghost Stands Alone [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective, Mecha, Psychological Sci-Fi The story of this fourth installment takes place amidst signs of postwar reconstruction in the winter of 2028. Tensions are rising in New Port City as demonstrations are held concerning the interests of foreign cartels. This leads to a shooting incident involving riot police. It all started with a cyberbrain infection released by the terrorist "Fire Starter." An independent offensive unit led by Motoko Kusanagi entrusts the suppression of the situation to their ghosts and aims for their own justice. Below the surface of the incident, lies the "tin girl" Emma and the "scarecrow man" Burinda Junior. As Kusanagi deals with the incident, she draws near to what those two ghosts were seeking. They managed to finish series of prequels on a positive note. Spectacular episode on par with the first one.   Overall Rating: 7/10   43. Long Zhi Gu: Poxiao Qibing Dragon Nest: Warriors' Dawn 龙之谷 破晓奇兵 [Mili Pictures] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy  The land of Altera has observed an uneasy peace for years among Humans, Elves and Evil beasts who are loyal to the legendary Black Dragon. But the Black Dragon begins to stir from its hibernation, sending the Beasts marching across Altera. With a beast conquest perilously close, a small group of Humans and Elves unite to try to find a secret hidden road to the Black Dragon's cave and destroy it. But the fate of all of them may be in the hands of the young warrior Lambert, who must summon the confidence and skill to face the Black Dragon himself just when all may be lost. Dragon Nest had great gameplay, but not lore. Movie feels like childish Disney piece.   Overall Rating: 6/10   44. Qin Shi Mingyue 3D: Dianying Longteng Wanli 秦时明月3D电影龙腾万里 [Sparkly Key Animation Studio] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical, Martial Arts Action, Fantasy The movie reveals the events before Ge Nie and Tianming defeated 300 soldiers at Huangyang Chuan right at the start of season 1. The events will retell how Tianming and Ge Nie met. A new character and her relations to the Western Regions will be introduced as well. Full CGI. What happens if Aladdin gets fused with Chinse mythology and it all lays on top of ancient history. It seems the be the beginning of a huge series, but if it continues in the same flow will have to skip these.   Overall Rating: 6/10
  11. kivandopulus

    Anime of the Year 2014-IV Fall - Shirobako

    By kivandopulus,


    Anime of the Year
    Log Horizon 2nd Season and Shirobako are the only borderline masterpieces that I can highlight.   1. Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso 四月は君の嘘 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 22/22) Tags: Shounen Love Polygon, Music, School Drama, Romance Kousei Arima is a child prodigy known as the "Human Metronome" for playing the piano with precision and perfection. Guided by a strict mother and rigorous training, Kousei dominates every competition he enters, earning the admiration of his musical peers and praise from audiences. When his mother suddenly passes away, the subsequent trauma makes him unable to hear the sound of a piano, and he never takes the stage thereafter. Nowadays, Kousei lives a quiet and unassuming life as a junior high school student alongside his friends Tsubaki Sawabe and Ryouta Watari. While struggling to get over his mother's death, he continues to cling to music. His monochrome life turns upside down the day he encounters the eccentric violinist Kaori Miyazono, who thrusts him back into the spotlight as her accompanist. Through a little lie, these two young musicians grow closer together as Kaori tries to fill Kousei's world with color. It's both popular and high scored, so had to sit it through. First of all, all piano shows use the same suspense tricks that are too obvious by now. Of course there's no real story in this anime, just two disabled youth can't get over own drama, so they use concourse just to treat their traumas... And it's especially laughable how audience every time sits with their mouths open and living through protagonists' feelings. It's beyond my understanding what to like here.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Nanatsu no Taizai The Seven Deadly Sins 七つの大罪 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 8/24) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Fantasy In a world similar to the European Middle Ages, the feared yet revered Holy Knights of Britannia use immensely powerful magic to protect the region of Britannia and its kingdoms. However, a small subset of the Knights supposedly betrayed their homeland and turned their blades against their comrades in an attempt to overthrow the ruler of Liones. They were defeated by the Holy Knights, but rumors continued to persist that these legendary knights, called the "Seven Deadly Sins," were still alive. Ten years later, the Holy Knights themselves staged a coup d’état, and thus became the new, tyrannical rulers of the Kingdom of Liones. Based on the best-selling manga series of the same name, Nanatsu no Taizai follows the adventures of Elizabeth, the third princess of the Kingdom of Liones, and her search for the Seven Deadly Sins. With their help, she endeavors to not only take back her kingdom from the Holy Knights, but to also seek justice in an unjust world. Greatest sin is boredom here. Even when I was more acceptive I had to force myself to watch it for eight episodes, and it never gave anything positive in return.   Overall Rating: 5/10   3. Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu Parasyte: The Maxim 寄生獣 セイの格率 [Madhouse] (Finished 24/24) Tags: Seinen Gore, Psychological Action, Horror, Sci-Fi All of a sudden, they arrived: parasitic aliens that descended upon Earth and quickly infiltrated humanity by burrowing into the brains of vulnerable targets. These insatiable beings acquire full control of their host and are able to morph into a variety of forms in order to feed on unsuspecting prey. Sixteen-year-old high school student Shinichi Izumi falls victim to one of these parasites, but it fails to take over his brain, ending up in his right hand instead. Unable to relocate, the parasite, now named Migi, has no choice but to rely on Shinichi in orderf to stay alive. Thus, the pair is forced into an uneasy coexistence and must defend themselves from hostile parasites that hope to eradicate this new threat to their species. It's rather popular, and the podcast I watch often remembers Parasyte as a good anime, so need to watch it in full. Well, protagonist is quite ok and reasonable. The whole concept and fighting action is not new, reminded me Guyver the most (especially after fatso friend showed up), but the wonder waffle can talk. There is enough of character and story progression, but the core is not interesting, just getting attacked because of the smell like some Tokyo Ghoul, and ending is anticlimactic at best. I did not enjoy it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works]  [ufotable] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural  The Holy Grail War is a battle royale among seven magi who serve as Masters. Masters, through the use of the command seals they are given when they enter the war, command Heroic Spirits known as Servants to fight for them in battle. In the Fifth Holy Grail War, Rin Toosaka is among the magi entering the competition. With her Servant, Archer, she hopes to obtain the ultimate prize—the Holy Grail, a magical artifact capable of granting its wielder any wish. One of Rin's classmates, Shirou Emiya, accidentally enters the competition and ends up commanding a Servant of his own known as Saber. As they find themselves facing mutual enemies, Rin and Shirou decide to form a temporary alliance as they challenge their opponents in the Holy Grail War. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Akatsuki no Yona Yona of the Dawn 暁のヨナ [Pierrot] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shoujo Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance The kingdom of Kouka is blessed with a beautiful princess whose childlike innocence charms all who come across her. Named Yona, she has grown up sheltered in the royal palace, shielded from any danger that may befall her. However, all good things must come to an end. Yona's perfect world comes crashing down when a heinous act of treason threatens to erase all that she holds dear, including her birthright as the princess of Kouka. Left with no one to trust but her childhood friend and loyal bodyguard Son Hak, she is forced to flee the palace. Faced with the perils of surviving in the wild with a target on her back, Yona realizes that her kingdom is no longer the safe haven it once was. Free from the shackles of naivety, Yona vows to do everything in her power to become strong enough to crush her enemies. With Hak by her side, she must piece together the remains of an ancient legend that might be the key to reclaiming her kingdom from those who conspired to steal it from her. It's reverse harem that is not marked properly, so just not for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Trinity Seven トリニティセブン [Seven Arcs Pictures] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, School Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi One day, the bright red sun stopped shining, causing the "Breakdown Phenomenon"—the destruction of Arata Kasuga's town and the disappearance of the people inhabiting it. All, however, is not yet lost; by utilizing the magical grimoire given to him by his childhood friend and cousin Hijiri Kasuga, Arata's world gets artificially reconstructed. In order to investigate the phenomenon, Lilith Asami appears before Arata, whose artificial world suddenly disintegrates. He is given two choices: hand over the book, or die. However, Arata chooses the third option—enrolling in the top-secret magic school Royal Biblia Academy, where six other magical users await him. Together with Lilith, these six form the Trinity Seven, the elite of the school who each bolster their own power and skill. With the ambition to save Hijiri and the help of his newfound friends, Arata stops at nothing to prevent the destruction of his beloved hometown and to bring his best friend back. All I see is brainless harem ecchi with perverted protagonist.   Overall Rating: 5/10   7. Amagi Brilliant Park 甘城ブリリアントパーク [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Workplace Comedy, Fantasy Seiya Kanie, a smart and extremely narcissistic high school student, believes that the beautiful but reserved Isuzu Sento has invited him on a date at an amusement park called Amagi Brilliant Park. Much to his chagrin, not only is the location a run-down facility, the supposed date is merely a recruitment tour where Sento and Princess Latifa Fleuranza, the owner of the theme park, ask him to become the park's new manager. Their cause for desperation? As stipulated in a land-use contract, Amagi has less than three months to meet a quota of 500,000 guests, or the park will be closed for good and the land redeveloped by a greedy real-estate company. Seiya is won over by the revelation that Amagi is no ordinary amusement park; many of its employees are Maple Landers—mysterious magical beings who live in the human world and are nourished by the energy created by people having fun. Entrusted with the hopes and dreams of this far-off enchanted land, Seiya must now use his many skills to bring Amagi back on its feet, or watch it crumble before his eyes. It's on the level of the Devil is Part-Timer for me, because it also does not have great SOL, but also introduces magic that only aggravates things. And it's not interesting to observe constant crisis management.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Psycho-Pass 2 PSYCHO-PASS サイコパス 2 [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective, Psychological Action, Sci-Fi, Suspense A year and a half after the events of the original sci-fi psychological thriller, Akane Tsunemori continues her work as an inspector—enforcing the Sibyl System's judgments. Joining her are new enforcers and junior inspector Mika Shimotsuki, a young woman blindly and inflexibly loyal to Sibyl. As Akane ponders both the nature of her job and the legitimacy of Sibyl's verdicts, a disturbing new menace emerges. A mysterious figure has discovered a way to control the Crime Coefficient—a number compiled from mental scans that allows Sibyl to gauge psychological health and identify potential criminals. Through these means, he is able to murder an enforcer, leaving behind a cryptic clue: "WC?" scrawled in blood on a wall. Akane and the rest of Division 01 soon find themselves playing a deadly game against their new foe, coming face-to-face with a conspiracy threatening not only the authority of the Sibyl System, but the very foundation of Akane's own convictions. Sequel. I can't say I did not like it. Change of roles is done well, and cases are well done as well. The problem is that it's not really memorable after ten years, so is just not mandatory.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Grisaia no Kajitsu The Fruit of Grisaia グリザイアの果実 [8bit] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Harem, Psychological, School Drama, Romance Yuuji Kazami is a transfer student who has just been admitted into Mihama Academy. He wants to live an ordinary high school life, but this dream of his may not come true any time soon as Mihama Academy is quite the opposite. Consisting of only the principal and five other students, all of whom are girls, Yuuji becomes acquainted with each of them, discovering more about their personalities as socialization is inevitable. Slowly, he begins to learn about the truth behind the small group of students occupying the academy—they each have their own share of traumatic experiences which are tucked away from the world. Mihama Academy acts as a home for these girls, they are the "fruit" which fell from their trees and have begun to decay. It is up to Yuuji to become the catalyst to save them from themselves, but how can he save another when he cannot even save himself? It follows a traditional scheme of comedy with weird characters and then routes varying from just peculiar background stories to pretty dark ones. Fruit of Grisaia just have those elements almost perfected. But if I don't like something, can't do anything about it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Log Horizon 2nd Season Log Horizon 2 ログ・ホライズン 第2シリーズ [Studio Deen] (Finished 25/25) Tags: Adult Cast, Video Game Action, Adventure, Fantasy After being trapped in the world of Elder Tale for six months, Shiroe and the other Adventurers have begun to get the hang of things in their new environment. The Adventurers are starting to gain the trust of the People of the Land, and Akiba has flourished thanks to the law and order established by Shiroe's Round Table Alliance, regaining its everyday liveliness. Despite this success, however, the Alliance faces a new crisis: they are running out of funds to govern Akiba, and spies from the Minami district have infiltrated the city. As formidable forces rise in other districts, there is also a need to discover more about the vast new world they are trapped in—leading Shiroe to decide that the time has come to venture outside the city. Accompanied by his friend Naotsugu and the Sage of Mirror Lake Regan, the calculative Shiroe makes his move, hoping to unravel new possibilities and eventually find a way home. Sequel. I still enjoyed following seasons to some extent, but only with minor interest.   Overall Rating: 7/10   11. Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji Wolf Girl & Black Prince オオカミ少女と黒王子 [TYO Animations] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shoujo School Comedy, Romance Erika Shinohara has taken to lying about her romantic exploits to earn the respect of her new friends. So when they ask for a picture of her "boyfriend," she hastily snaps a photo of a handsome stranger, whom her friends recognize as the popular and kind-hearted Kyouya Sata. Trapped in her own web of lies and desperately trying to avoid humiliation, Erika explains her predicament to Kyouya, hoping he will pretend to be her boyfriend. But Kyouya is not the angel he appears to be: he is actually a mean-spirited sadist who forces Erika to become his "dog" in exchange for keeping her secret. Begrudgingly accepting his deal, Erika soon begins to see glimpses of the real Kyouya beneath the multiple layers of his outer persona. As she finds herself falling for him, she can't help but question if he will ever feel the same way about her. Will Kyouya finally make an honest woman out of Erika, or is she destined to be a "wolf girl" forever? I see an imitation of Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun here, but with repeating of previous poor shoujo mistakes of zero progress and repeating cycle, and also without that charm. Also main heroine is too normal and naive which is irritating, and main male lead is some kind of weird tsundere, so not appealing either.    Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Shirobako [P.A. Works] (Finished 24/24) Tags: Adult Cast, Otaku Culture, Workplace Award Winning, Comedy, Drama It all started in Kaminoyama High School, when five best friends—Aoi Miyamori, Ema Yasuhara, Midori Imai, Shizuka Sakaki, and Misa Toudou—discovered their collective love for all things anime and formed the animation club. After making their first amateur anime together and showcasing it at the culture festival, the group vows to pursue careers in the industry, aiming to one day work together and create their own mainstream show. Two and a half years later, Aoi and Ema have managed to land jobs at the illustrious Musashino Animation production company. The others, however, are finding it difficult to get their dream jobs. Shizuka is feeling the weight of not being recognized as a capable voice actor, Misa has a secure yet unsatisfying career designing 3D models for a car company, and Midori is a university student intent on pursuing her dream as a story writer. These five girls will learn that the path to success is one with many diversions, but dreams can still be achieved through perseverance and a touch of eccentric creativity. It impressed me more when I watched it for the first time. Maybe it lacked comedy for me to enjoy more.   Overall Rating: 7/10   13. Inou-Battle wa Nichijou-kei no Naka de When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace 異能バトルは日常系のなかで [Trigger] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem, School, Super Power Comedy, Supernatural During a Literature Club meeting, the four club members—along with their faculty adviser's niece—suddenly find themselves with supernatural powers. Now capable of fabricating black flames, resident chuunibyou Jurai Andou is the most ecstatic about their new abilities; unfortunately, his own is only for show and unable to accomplish anything of substance. Moreover, he is completely outclassed by those around him: fellow club member Tomoyo Kanzaki manipulates time, Jurai's childhood friend Hatoko Kushikawa wields control over the five elements, club president Sayumi Takanashi can repair both inanimate objects and living things, and their adviser's niece Chifuyu Himeki is able to create objects out of thin air. However, while the mystery of why they received these powers looms overhead, very little has changed for the Literature Club. The everyday lives of these five superpowered students continue on, albeit now tinged with the supernatural. Weird club SOL with kinds having superpowers. There's enough discovery to do in order to waste time, but there's no concept real behind it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Tsukimonogatari 憑物語 [Shaft] (Finished 1/4) Tags: Comedy, Mystery, Supernatural, Ecchi  Koyomi Araragi is studying hard in preparation for his college entrance exams when he begins to notice something very strange: his reflection no longer appears in a mirror, a characteristic of a true vampire. Worried about the state of his body, he enlists the help of the human-like doll Yotsugi Ononoki and her master Yozuru Kagenui, an immortal oddity specialist. Quickly realizing what is wrong with him, Yozuru gives him two choices: either abstain from using the vampiric abilities he received from Shinobu Oshino, or lose his humanity forever. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. World Trigger ワールドトリガー [Toei Animation] (Finished 3/73) Tags: Shounen  Action, Sci-Fi When a gate to another world suddenly opens on Earth, Mikado City is invaded by strange creatures known as "Neighbors," malicious beings impervious to traditional weaponry. In response to their arrival, an organization called the Border Defense Agency has been established to combat the Neighbor menace through special weapons called "Triggers." Even though several years have passed after the gate first opened, Neighbors are still a threat and members of Border remain on guard to ensure the safety of the planet. Despite this delicate situation, members-in-training, such as Osamu Mikumo, are not permitted to use their Triggers outside of headquarters. But when the mysterious new student in his class is dragged into a forbidden area by bullies, they are attacked by Neighbors, and Osamu has no choice but to do what he believes is right. Much to his surprise, however, the transfer student Yuuma Kuga makes short work of the aliens, revealing that he is a humanoid Neighbor in disguise. Pretty generic fighting action. Aliens attack, and some espers learn to beat them. And without decent characters it's difficult to watch it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis Rage of Bahamut: Genesis 神撃のバハムート GENESIS [MAPPA] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Mythology Action, Adventure, Fantasy Thousands of years ago, the ancient dragon Bahamut wrought havoc upon the land of Mistarcia, a world where both gods and demons live amongst mankind. Working together to prevent the world's destruction, the rival deities barely managed to seal Bahamut, agreeing to split the key between them so that the dragon would remain eternally imprisoned. With the world safe from the destruction of Bahamut, it is business as usual for bounty hunters like Favaro Leone. Living a laid-back, self-serving lifestyle, the amoral Favaro goes about his work while on the run from fellow bounty hunter Kaisar Lidfard, a righteous man who swears vengeance upon Favaro. However, Favaro's carefree life is thrown into chaos when he meets Amira, a mysterious woman who holds half of the key to the world's fragile peace. Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis tells the story of a group of unlikely heroes who find themselves caught in the middle of an epic clash between gods and demons, forced to carve their own path in the face of the imminent storm. Kind of travel anime with supernatural abilities. Felt like some freaking Supernatural spin-off.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Madan no Ou to Vanadis Lord Marksman and Vanadis 魔弾の王と戦姫 (ヴァナディース) [Satelight] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Harem, Military Action, Adventure, Fantasy In a fantasy version of Europe, a war between enemy countries is brewing. One of these countries, Zhcted, has its seven regions ruled by War Maidens, known as Vanadis. Equipped with powerful dragon-carved weapons, Eleonora "Elen" Viltaria, one of the Vanadis, launches an invasion against their neighboring rival country of Brune. Eventually, Tigrevurmud "Tigre" Vorn, a young archer and an earl for Brune's region of Alsace, has his entire army decimated at Elen's hands. In a strange twist of events, Elen spares Tigre, and gives him the order, "Become mine!" What could be the meaning behind this new alliance? Adapted from the light novel written by Tsukasa Kawaguchi, Madan no Ou to Vanadis is an epic adventure filled with complex war tactics and beautiful women. Trapped in a multinational conflict, Tigre and Elen are swept up in a war filled with dark secrets, conspiracies, and corruption. Battle stratagems cringe (like 2000 horses instead of traditional 2000 bulls), war maidens and reactivity makes this anime only decent.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Mushishi Zoku Shou 2nd Season Mushi-shi: Next Passage Part 2 蟲師 続章 [Artland] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Historical, Iyashikei Adventure, Mystery, Slice of Life, Supernatural Ghostly, primordial beings known as Mushi continue to cause mysterious changes in the lives of humans. The travelling Mushishi, Ginko, persists in trying to set right the strange and unsettling situations he encounters. Time loops, living shadows, and telepathy are among the overt effects of interference from Mushi, but more subtle symptoms that take years to be noticed also rouse Ginko's concern as he passes from village to village. Through circumstance, Ginko has become an arbiter, determining which Mushi are blessings and which are curses. But the lines that he seeks to draw are subjective. Some of his patients would rather exercise their new powers until they are utterly consumed by them; others desperately strive to rid themselves of afflictions which are in fact protecting their lives from devastation. Those who cross paths with Mushi must learn to accept seemingly impossible consequences for their actions, and heal wounds they did not know they had. Otherwise, they risk meeting with fates beyond their comprehension. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Terra Formars TERRA FORMARS [テラフォーマーズ] [LIDENFILMS] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Gore, Space, Survival Action, Horror, Sci-Fi During the 21st century, humanity attempted to colonize Mars by sending two species which could endure the harsh environment of the planet to terraform it—algae and cockroaches. However, they did not anticipate the species' remarkable ability to adapt. Now in the 26th century, a lethal disease known as the Alien Engine Virus has arrived on Earth, and the cure is suspected to be found only on Mars. The problem is, Mars in the present is overrun by creatures known as "Terraformars," incredibly powerful and intelligent humanoid cockroaches that mutated from those originally sent to the planet. The Annex I team, consisting of a hundred men and women genetically enhanced with characteristics of powerful organisms from earth, has been sent to Mars on a mission to find the cause of the Alien Engine Virus and to help cure humanity—signalling the start of the crew's fight for survival. Remember dropping it midway since initial impression wears off by that time. With all the cockroach concept cast aside it's a mediocre fighting action against aliens with more gore than usual.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Hitsugi no Chaika: Avenging Battle Chaika -The Coffin Princess- Avenging Battle 棺姫のチャイカ AVENGING BATTLE [Bones] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance  The search for the remains of Emperor Gaz continues. Chaika still in search of knowing who she really is and what her purpose is. Similarly, the Red Chaika continues the search for the rest of Emperor Gaz's remains. The Gillette corporation continues the mission to catch every last Chaika. In their adventure they give a revealing account kept secret by the Emperor, which Chaika, Fredrica, Toru, and Akari decide to uncover. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Cross Ange: Tenshi to Ryuu no Rondo Cross Ange: Rondo of Angel and Dragon クロスアンジュ 天使と竜の輪舞〈ロンド〉 [Sunrise] (Finished 14/25) Tags: Gore, Mecha, Military Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi Angelise Ikaruga Misurugi is the first princess of the noble Misurugi Empire. The kingdom has seen great power and prosperity due to the advancement of the revolutionary technology known as "Mana," an abstract bending of light that has reduced the world's problems of war and pollution to a timeless peace. However, not all are blessed with the ability to wield Mana. Those who cannot are labeled "Norma," outcasts of society who are considered a threat to civilization and live under constant persecution, and Angelise herself is one of many who want the Norma exterminated. But as Angelise's sixteenth birthday commences, it is discovered in a shocking revelation that she is actually a Norma. Chaos ensues, the public is outraged, and the once adored princess is exiled to Arzenal: a remote military base where Normas are forced into conscription. Now, the former royal must adapt to a harsh and vastly different lifestyle; piloting mechanical robots known as "Paramail" to fend off large, devastating beasts referred to as DRAGONs. However, a sinister truth about these savage creatures threatens to change everything. It starts decently, but degrades into some ecchi shounen/girls love with story having no direction to such extent that it just changes to revolt of Norma against humans at some point. Despite some good elements it's mediocre in the core and irritating in leftover elements.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Gugure! Kokkuri-san 繰繰れ！コックリさん [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor Comedy, Supernatural Gugure! Kokkuri-san is an eccentric comedy centered around the self-proclaimed doll, Kohina Ichimatsu. Her uneventful life goes from plain to absurd when she summons a fox spirit by the name of Kokkuri-san. But contrary to popular belief, he is not the omniscient, answer-granting spirit from the legend anymore. The loss of believers in modern society has rendered him powerless. Upon meeting the bizarre girl who summoned him, Kokkuri-san is shocked to discover that Kohina not only lives alone, but survives on just cup ramen! Filled with concern for the young girl, he takes it upon himself to ensure that Kohina has proper meals and lives a decent life. Thus begin Kokkuri-san's less-than-hopeful endeavors and their peculiar life together. Dropped it before, because it's all about situational humor and antics without any story which gets old even after watching first two episodes, not going to watch it further now.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Ore, Twintail ni Narimasu. Gonna be the Twin-Tail!! 俺、ツインテールになります。 [ Production IMS] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Magical Sex Shift, School, Super Power Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance Twintails: the glory of all mankind—or at least that is what first-year high school student Souji Mitsuka believes. At school, Souji spends most of his time daydreaming and rating girls' twintails, even going as far as creating a club dedicated to the hairstyle. His obsession does not go unnoticed, however; when monsters from outer space attack Earth and claim the world's twintails for themselves, a strange woman named Twoearle enlists Souji to fight back using twintails of his own! By transforming into the twin-tailed warrior Tail Red, Souji combats the vicious alien organization known as Ultimegil, whose main goal is to colonize Earth and steal everyone's spiritual energy, or "attribute power." Alongside fellow twin-tailed fighters Aika Tsube and Erina Shindou, Souji must find a way to defeat the invading army and defend the twintails he holds so dear. The type of synopsis I can't read in one go due to facepalms. Too much nonsense to bear even one episode, it does not look better in flesh, so to say.   Overall Rating: 5/10   24. Yuuki Yuuna wa Yuusha de Aru Yuki Yuna is a Hero 結城友奈は勇者である [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Drama, Fantasy In her everyday life, Yuuna Yuuki is a hero. As proof, she is in her middle school's Hero Club, where she does her best to help others and bring a smile to everyone's face. But Yuuna, always up to any task, is about to become an even bigger hero. Mysterious destructive forces called Vertexes begin threatening the world she loves, and the Hero Club is called upon by a strange phone app to save it. Along with her best friend Mimori Tougou, as well as sisters Fuu and Itsuki Inubouzaki, they must transform into magical girls in order to battle the Vertexes. In between studying and putting on shows for kids, Yuuna and the Hero Club must fight for the very existence of their world and face the harsh truths behind their own powers, all the while discovering what it truly means to be a hero. First thought upon starting it - Madoka imitation. And even in bad things, like abstract colorful vines and squares mosaic instead of normal space. The problem is that I don't like imitations - it's either unique or fake, and I don't see anything unique or captivating here.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Garo: Honoo no Kokuin GARO: THE ANIMATION 牙狼〈GARO〉-炎の刻印- [MAPPA] (Finished 3/24) Tags: Action, Fantasy  In the name of the king, the Valiante Kingdom launched hunts to exterminate users of witchcraft. Seventeen years later, their pursuit is still growing in both size and brutality. Unbeknownst to the citizens, the targets of these witch hunts are the secret protectors of humanity. Known as the Makai Knights and Alchemists, they have a strong will to protect people from Horrors, demons who possess souls plagued by sadness and pain. One such Makai Knight is 17-year-old Leon Luis who inherits the legendary armor of the Golden Knight Garo from his mother. Though he possesses great power, he struggles to overcome the hatred he bears from his mother's death at the hands of the kingdom. His father German, known as Zoro the Shadow Cutting Knight, is still training Leon when he is called to investigate the upsurge of Horrors in the kingdom's capital. Although German knows Leon's will is wavering, he decides to bring Leon along to continue his training. As German and Leon head to the capital, the king's amiable son Alfonso San Valiante struggles to find a solution to the growing Horror threat. But before he can do so, he is double-crossed and banished from his own kingdom. To return home, Alfonso sets out to find the help and strength he needs to reclaim the throne. During his search, he comes across Leon, whose interactions with the prince will forever change both of their fates. Variation of fantasy travel anime with fights as reactions. A very barebones shounen experience with fights as if from Guyver, just with a witch hunt flavor now.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Yowamushi Pedal: Grande Road 弱虫ペダル GRANDE ROAD [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shounen Racing Sports Second season of the Yowamushi Pedal series. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   27. Daitoshokan no Hitsujikai A Good Librarian Like a Good Shepherd 大図書館の羊飼い [Hoods Entertainment, Felix Film] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, School Romance "The Shepherd," an urban legend of Shiomi Academy, is said to appear before hardworking students to grant them a wish. While engrossed in a book inside the school's renowned Great Library, Kyoutarou Kakei, a second year student and the Library Club's de facto president, receives an email from the Shepherd foretelling an event that will change his fate. Worried by the message, Kyoutarou rushes over to a nearby train station and encounters fellow student Tsugumi Shirasaki, whom he saves from being hit by a derailing train. Grateful for his heroic actions, Tsugumi joins the Library Club and invites Kyoutarou to participate in her mysterious "Shiomi Happy Project." Together with other new members of the club, they strive to make the academy a better place and uncover the identity of the enigmatic Shepherd. Harems from visual novels are worst kinds. Never liked this visual novel in particular.   Overall Rating: 5/10   28. Denki-gai no Honya-san Denki-gai デンキ街の本屋さん [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Otaku Culture, Workplace Comedy Umio is a shy kid who just started his part time job at a manga store smack dab in the middle of the city. But his lifestyle isn't as glamorous as the neon lights that illuminate the city. Umio's closest friends are his co-workers who are all unique characters, to say the least, and although they're nice people, they have their quirks. They are a tight knit group of friends, have nicknames for each other and spend their weekends inside, sheltered from the extravagant scene happening on the outside. It's hard to go wrong with manga store SOL , but I still dropped it before for the reason of not really appealing characters, vague art style and not great episodic humor. Basically, it's too immature for me while at the same time not particularly funny.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Donten ni Warau Laughing Under the Clouds 曇天に笑う [Doga Kobo] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shoujo Historical Action, Supernatural In the 11th year of the Meiji Era, the end of the samurai shogunate and the prohibition of swords has left Japan with lasting scars. Displeased by these recent changes, many former samurai plot against the new government, inciting a wave of bloodshed. To counter this movement, the government constructs a colossal prison in the middle of Lake Biwa. Unofficially assigned to help the police arrest criminals, Tenka Kumou also serves as a ferryman to the Lake Biwa prison with the help of his two younger siblings: the ambitious Soramaru and the enthusiastic Chuutarou. Together with the former Fuma ninja Shirasu Kinjou, the Kumou brothers live a frugal and joyful life mostly dedicated to studying and training. However, behind this relatively uneventful daily routine, the specter of the "Orochi" curse is starting to spread its shadow over the city of Oumi. According to legend, every three hundred years, Orochi reincarnates in a human vessel—and it is believed that this is the harbinger of an imminent catastrophe. As various groups clash in search of Orochi's vessel, some aim to seal the curse, while others have darker plans in motion. A bunch of bishounens train and eventually face this curse to save the world. Pretty tasteless and bland reverse harem or something like that with samurai topping.   Overall Rating: 6/10   30. Magic Kaito 1412 まじっく快斗1412 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shounen Adventure, Comedy, Romance Eight years after the mysterious death of his father, Kaito Kuroba, a slightly mischievous but otherwise ordinary teenager, discovers a shocking secret: the Phantom Thief Kaito Kid—also known as "The Magician Under the Moonlight"—was none other than his own father. The former thief was murdered by a criminal organization seeking a mythical stone called the Pandora Gem, said to shed a tear with the passing of the Valley Comet that comes every ten thousand years. When the tear is consumed, the gem supposedly grants immortality. Vowing to bring those responsible for his father's death to justice, Kaito dons the Phantom Thief's disguise, stealing priceless jewels night after night to find the Pandora Gem before his enemies can use the power for themselves. Remake or alternative version or something.   Overall Rating: 5/10   31. Sora no Method Celestial Method 天体のメソッド [Studio 3Hz] (Finished 3/13) Tags: School Drama, Fantasy A group of friends—Nonoka Komiya, Koharu Shiihara, Shione Togawa, and twins Yuzuki and Souta Mizusaka—once attempted to summon a flying saucer to grant their wishes. After thinking that they failed, they called it a day. However, soon afterward, Nonoka abruptly moved out of Kiriya City, breaking the bond of their circle. Little did the group know, they were successful and the saucer has been floating in the sky since then, waiting to fulfill its purpose. Seven years later, Nonoka returns to Kiriya, all but forgetting everything regarding her life there. She meets Noel, a little girl wearing strange clothes, and through her, Nonoka begins to remember the past and the friends she left behind. From there, she strives to reforge her severed relationship with the others as she uncovers the mysteries connecting Noel, the saucer, and the wishes they once cherished together. Again childhood mystery with amnesia... let's just say that reinventing Kanon in 2014 does not cut it anymore. There are so many borrowings from elsewhere that I can't watch this bland mess without sour face.   Overall Rating: 6/10   32. Ushinawareta Mirai wo Motomete In Search of the Lost Future 失われた未来を求めて [feel.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School, Time Travel Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi Kaori Sasaki—a member of Uchihama Academy's Astronomy Club—confesses to Sou Akiyama, but later that evening, she dies in a tragic road accident. Her friends and fellow club members mourn her death in a local hospital. Yet she shows up to school the following day, and no one senses anything amiss. The day finishes without any unusual incidents, and the group of friends plans for the upcoming cultural festival. Suddenly, the room is shaken by an unnatural earthquake. Everyone splits up to investigate—except for Nagisa Hanamiya, who stays behind. As everyone leaves, Nagisa notices that the odd relic-like cube that she was toying with starts emitting a strange blue light. Meanwhile, Sou stumbles upon an unconscious, naked girl lying in a pool of water. Ushinawareta Mirai wo Motomete follows the Astronomy Club's increasingly bizarre adventures—from dealing with ghosts to quelling unrests between student clubs. All the while, they unravel the circumstances behind the sudden appearance of a new transfer student. Our pieces of puzzle are donkan protagonist, his harem and astronomy club... not great and I'd typically drop it early. I'm only finishing it because I don't hope to ever finish this visual novel. And it was pretty mediocre.   Overall Rating: 5/10   33. Selector Spread WIXOSS [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/12) Tags: High Stakes Game, Psychological, Strategy Game Suspense The unforeseen outcome of Iona Urazoe's fan gathering continues to weigh heavily on Ruuko Kominato. Having uncovered the truth behind being a Selector, Ruuko and her friends Yuzuki Kurebayashi and Hitoe Uemura hesitate to partake in the battles that may ruin the lives they have come to cherish. The same cannot be said for Chiyori, a fellow Selector who remains oblivious to the consequences of losing despite all warnings. As she tries to convince Chiyori out of her cruel fate, Ruuko learns more about a WIXOSS novel—which may reveal the secrets of LRIGs and the Selector battles' very existence. Meanwhile, Akira Aoi and her model career have rebounded thanks to Iona, who is now possessed by Ulith. With her life back on track, Akira pledges to assist Ulith in any way she can. Unbeknownst to her, Ulith is scheming to utilize a familiar LRIG to not only torment Ruuko but also prevent the latter's wish from ever being fulfilled. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   34. Gundam Build Fighters Try ガンダムビルドファイターズトライ [Sunrise] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Mecha Action, Sci-Fi The story of Gundam Build Fighters Try is set 7 years after the end of the 1st series. Now Seiho Academy's Gunpla Battle Club has only one member, Hoshino Fumina, who is a third grade student in junior high. As the president of the club, she needs two more members to participate in the upcoming All-Japan Gunpla Battle Championships. One day she encounters a transfer student named Kamiki Sekai, who has traveled around for Kenpo training with his master. Then joining by a young Gunpla builder Kousaka Yuuma, their challenge to the Gunpla Battle begins.... Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   35. Girlfriend (Kari) Girl Friend Beta ガールフレンド(仮) [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 2/12) Tags: School Slice of Life A TV anime adaptation of the Girlfriend (Kari) a mobile game where players can have girlfriends through playing the game. Shiina Kokomi is a hard working but even tempered high school girl who is the lead performer in her school's rhythmic gymnastics club. The story follows her and her growing circle of friends as they support each other through the various trials and situations that comprise high school life. Mobile dating sim is a horrible source. Result is corresponding.   Overall Rating: 5/10   36. Gundam: G no Reconguista Gundam Reconguista in G ガンダム Gのレコンギスタ [Sunrise] (Finished 3/26) Tags: Mecha, Space Action, Sci-Fi In the year Regild Century 1014, an entire millennium has passed since the end of the fabled Universal Century, where legends like Amuro Ray and Char Aznable ruled the battlefield as ace mobile suit pilots. The Earth's surface that was once hotly contested is now mostly abandoned, with humanity preferring to live in space colonies and the surface of the moon. Capital Guard Academy student Bellri Zenam lives a peaceful academic life, but his normal days are brought to an end with the capture of pirate pilot Aida Surugan and her mobile suit G-Self. Bellri feels a strong mental connection with the G-Self and discovers that he is able to pilot it. He soon finds himself in contention with the "Capital Guard," a radical faction that follows its own secret agenda despite the wishes of the Amerian Army, who still hold power on Earth. Joining the crew of the Amerian spaceship Megafauna, Bellri and Aida must pilot the G-Self to victory against the Capital Guard and its leaders, the charismatic Colonel Kunpa Rushita and the enigmatic Captain Mask. A ridiculously bland and amateurish mess.   Overall Rating: 5/10   37. Sanzoku no Musume Ronja 山賊の娘ローニャ [Studio Ghibli, Polygon Pictures] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Adventure  The story is about a girl named Ronja who is the daughter of a chief of a tribe of bandits and lives in a huge castle in the forest with the bandits. The story follows Ronja as she encounters mystical creatures, makes friends with another young child like herself, and experiences life in the forest. I dropped Ronja even at the time when I liked Ghibli. Usage of CGI is always uncalled for, lack of narrative makes it plain bad. It should have been a movie just like live action.   Overall Rating: 6/10   38. Cardfight!! Vanguard G カードファイト!! ヴァンガードG [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/48) Tags: Strategy Game Action Taking place after a three-year time skip, the series will follow Shindou Kurono, Kiba Shion, and Anjou Tokoha as the new protagonists of G. Kurono uses the never-before-seen clan Gear Chronicle, which brings together the destinies of these three toward an "impossible future, an impossible self signifying 'Generation.'" Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   39. Hi☆sCoool! SeHa Girls Hi☆sCoool! セハガール [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Parody, Video Game Comedy The story of the anime will revolve around Dreamcast, Sega Saturn, and Mega Drive, who have just enrolled in SeHaGaga Academy at Tokyo's Haneda Ōtorii station. They are given an assignment needed to graduate by a suspicious teacher, and to clear this assignment, the girls need to enter the world of Sega games. The girls must try their best to graduate without incident. Fully CGI half-length chatter about ancient consoles is hardly enticing in any way...   Overall Rating: 5/10   40. Tribe Cool Crew トライブクルクル [Sunrise, Bandai Namco Pictures] (Finished 1/50) Tags: Music, Performing Arts, School Sports Haneru Tobitatsu is a hyperactive middle schooler with a passion for dancing. Inspired by his idol Jey El, the hottest star in the world of dancing, Haneru practices outside Memorial Hall every day after school. Unbeknownst to him, his "secret" practice sessions are being watched by Kanon Otosaki—her true identity being the famous online dancer, Rhythm—who also frequents the same location for practice. When Haneru finds out about this, he shows an immediate interest in teaming up with her. Slowly realizing the joy of performing with others, the duo makes their way into the world of street dancing, where they meet Kumonosuke, Mizuki, and Yuzuru, ultimately forming the dance group "Tribe Cool Crew." As they face off against tough competition, they strive to one day realize their dream of sharing the stage with Jey El. Another anime for kids that's not properly labeled.   Overall Rating: 5/10   41. Nano Invaders ナノ・インベーダーズ [TV Tokyo] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Super Power Action, Adventure Nano Invaders follows the eye-popping adventures of Hikaru, 11, who is dragged into a series of battles between two rival alien clans. One day Hikaru tries on a bracelet that belongs to his classmate Mimi and he turns into a monster. Mimi’s family is a special scouting unit from planet Anima. When alien invaders from a rival planet Damon attack the city, Hikaru joins force with Mimi’s family to fight back. The battle gets on the TV, making Hikaru and the aliens instant heroes. Simple-minded Hikaru is happy to see his dream come true, not knowing that Mimi’s family is plotting to take over the earth too! Not translated. Animation is of low quality and direction is definitely childish.   Overall Rating: 5/10   42. Zhen Gyi Hong Shi World Peacekeepers 正义红师 [-] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Mecha, Military Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi This series, which is set in the future, is about several events that break out after troops successfully rescued a teenager who was kidnapped by the mysterious Black Armors. Ever since Marty had his first contact with the Black Armors and was subsequently rescued, he has been found to possess mysterious prophetic abilities as he is able to see the future in fragmented visions portraying an avalanche, a tsunami, a storm and other catastrophes. These disasters will always come true after Marty experiences the prophetic visions, but he is unable to predict accurately when and where they will occur. When the government learns about this, a unit is sent to protect Marty, and World Peacekeepers, abbreviated as WPK, is established to fight against the Black Armors. In order to defeat the Black Armors, the government grants permission for World Peacekeepers to use Ammobots – mechanical armors which have been developed over many years. After several battles with the Black Armors, the World Peacekeepers realizes that they are actually linked to the unusual natural disasters and discovers that they originate from a small planet called Mirzam, which is outside the solar system. Their real intention is to seize the abundant ecological resources on Earth and when these resources are seized, the ecosystem will lose its balance, thus leading to natural disasters. Partially translated. Battles are done in CGI. It's mostly episodic fighting action with bits of everything else on the side, so has not gone far from some Power Rangers especially after superpowers of nature kick in. Add simplistic nature and silly humor to finish the picture.   Overall Rating: 5/10   43. Duan Nao Die Now 端脑 [Haoliners Animation League] (Finished 1/16) Tags: Mystery, Sci-Fi, Suspense  The word cerebrum refers to a gigantic system consisting of collision universes, which is called cerebrum universe. The story starts from a series of unknown murders, unravelling the secret hiding beneath the entire universe, ranging from horrifying conspiracies to galaxy wars, from anti-human betrayals to honourable sacrifices. Having realised her weakness and backwardness, mankind takes the last stand. Half-length episode detective suspense  mystery. It's amateurish, and after Classroom of the Elite it's hardly possible to watch as concepts are slightly similar, but level of concept depth and polish is heavens and earth.   Overall Rating: 6/10   44. Shi Xiong Zombie Brother 尸兄 [L²Studio] (Finished 11/41) Tags: Action, Comedy, Horror Protagonist XiaoFei used to be an ordinary guy from H city. After the spring water was contaminated with a virus, however, he unexpectedly encountered an unprecedented crisis. The people living in H City became zombies one by one, devouring each other, and gradually evolving. Can XiaoFei escape from H city and meet up with his girlfriend Wei? The story now begins... I was curious even though it's just 1/3 length episodes, but it's just nonsense, mostly zombie related.   Overall Rating: 5/10   45. Imawa no Kuni no Alice Alice in Borderland 今際の国のアリス [SILVER LINK., Connect] (Finished 3/3) Tags: Shounen Gore, High Stakes Game, Psychological, Survival Action, Supernatural, Suspense Ryouhei Arisu is a high school student with no ambitions and just wants to escape from what he feels is a meaningless reality. One night when he is with his two friends Daikichi Karube and Chouta Segawa, they see an abnormally large firework shoot into the sky, an event which signals a permanent change in their lives. Blinded by the incredibly bright explosion, the three find themselves transported to what is known as the Borderland. The only inhabitants of this world are participants of a deadly game where specific tasks must be accomplished if they wish to survive. As the three begin playing to determine how they can get back home, Ryouhei finds himself feeling alive for the very first time in his life. Another suspense mystery game for survival, but with just an hour length there's not enough development and no decent resolution.   Overall Rating: 6/10   46. Rakuen Tsuihou Expelled from Paradise 楽園追放 -Expelled from Paradise- [Graphinica] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mecha Action, Sci-Fi In a future where a massive disaster has devastated Earth, most of humanity has abandoned their physical bodies and relocated in digital form to DEVA, an advanced space station orbiting the ravaged planet. Free from the limitations of traditional existence, such as death and hunger, the inhabitants of this virtual reality reside in relative peace until Frontier Setter, a skilled hacker, infiltrates the system and spreads subversive messages to the populace. Labeled a threat to security by authorities, Frontier Setter is pursued by Angela Balzac, a dedicated member of DEVA's law enforcement. When the hacker's signal is traced to Earth, Angela takes on physical form, transferring her consciousness to a clone body and traveling to the world below in order to deal with the menace. On Earth, she is assisted by Dingo, a charismatic agent, and during her journey to uncover the mystery behind Frontier Setter, she gradually discovers startling realities about the wasteland some of humanity still refers to as home, as well as the paradise above. Nice little movie, but there's very little of the plot, and most of the time is devoted to introduction of three characters and worldbuilding, so just not enough substance.   Overall Rating: 6/10   47. Timing (Movie) 타이밍 [-] (Finished 1/1) f Tags: School, Super Power Mystery, Suspense Based on a webtoon of the same name. This film unravels the mystery behind a series of suicides at a high school in Seoul. Park Ja-gi, a teacher at this school whose mother is a shaman, keeps rejecting mysticism, but he can foresee a catastrophe in his dreams. Witnessing in his dream many people standing aside to jump off from the top of the school building, the school teacher tries tostop the mass suicide. There are some people around the school who also have special gifts. Kim Yeong-tak is a student who can stop time. Kang Min-hyeok can rewind time 10 seconds back but suffers from a guilty conscience about failing to save his own wife and child. Lastly, Jang Se-yun can foresee 10 minutes ahead of time. These people gather their abilities to prevent catastrophe at the school. Not translated. Suspense mystery with espers is not my cup of tea. Teacher saves at least someone, so there's kind of happy end.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  12. 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
  13. kivandopulus
    Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka is a firm masterpiece for me. Other notable works are Shokugeki no Souma and Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru .    1. Shokugeki no Souma Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma 食戟のソーマ  [J.C.Staff] (Finished 24/24) Tags: Shounen School Gourmet, Ecchi Souma Yukihira has been cooking alongside his father Jouichirou for as long as he can remember. As a sous chef at his father's restaurant, he has spent years developing his culinary expertise and inventing new dishes to amaze their customers. He aspires to exceed his father's skill and take over the restaurant one day, but he is shocked to learn that Jouichirou is closing up the shop to take a job in New York. Rather than tagging along with his father, Souma finds himself enrolling at the prestigious Tootsuki Culinary Academy, where only 10 percent of its students end up graduating. The school is famous for its "Shokugeki"—intense cooking competitions between students often used to settle debates and arguments. Jouichirou tells Souma that to surpass him and survive the next three years at Tootsuki and graduate there. The academy's brutal curriculum and fiercely competitive student body await the young chef, who must learn to navigate the treacherous environment if he wants to stand a chance at realizing his dreams. But is skill alone enough to let him rise to the top? It was quite a revelation at that time, but today can't rate it over borderline masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 7/10   2. Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? [J.C.Staff] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy  Life in the bustling city of Orario is never dull, especially for Bell Cranel, a naïve young man who hopes to become the greatest adventurer in the land. After a chance encounter with the lonely goddess, Hestia, his dreams become a little closer to reality. With her support, Bell embarks on a fantastic quest as he ventures deep within the city's monster-filled catacombs, known only as the "Dungeon." Death lurks around every corner in the cavernous depths of this terrifying labyrinth, and a mysterious power moves amidst the shadows. Even on the surface, survival is a hard-earned privilege. Indeed, nothing is ever certain in a world where gods and humans live and work together, especially when they often struggle to get along. One thing is for sure, though: a myriad of blunders, triumphs and friendships awaits the dauntlessly optimistic protagonist of this herculean tale. It's a very enjoyable series for me due to great setting and protagonist. It definitely has flaws, though, and Bell Cranel with her relatives are more of an irritation here for me.   Overall Rating: 8/10   3. Owari no Seraph Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign 終わりのセラフ [Wit Studio] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen Military, Vampire Action, Drama, Supernatural With the appearance of a mysterious virus that kills everyone above the age of 13, mankind becomes enslaved by previously hidden, power-hungry vampires who emerge in order to subjugate society with the promise of protecting the survivors, in exchange for donations of their blood. Among these survivors are Yuuichirou and Mikaela Hyakuya, two young boys who are taken captive from an orphanage, along with other children whom they consider family. Discontent with being treated like livestock under the vampires' cruel reign, Mikaela hatches a rebellious escape plan that is ultimately doomed to fail. The only survivor to come out on the other side is Yuuichirou, who is found by the Moon Demon Company, a military unit dedicated to exterminating the vampires in Japan. Many years later, now a member of the Japanese Imperial Demon Army, Yuuichirou is determined to take revenge on the creatures that slaughtered his family, but at what cost? Owari no Seraph is a post-apocalyptic supernatural shounen anime that follows a young man's search for retribution, all the while battling for friendship and loyalty against seemingly impossible odds. I remember dropping it after couple episodes, because of nauseating protagonist and all this vampire vs humans battle. Finished it now for the Promised Neverland vibes, but can't say it impressed me enough.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU やはり俺の青春ラブコメはまちがっている。続 [feel.] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Love Polygon, School Comedy, Romance With the Volunteer Service Club now firmly established, it is receiving more requests from students in search of solutions to their various issues. However, the club members often struggle to see eye to eye when it comes to their problem-solving ideals. The suggestions that Hachiman Hikigaya recommends frequently clash with those of Yukino Yukinoshita, fracturing the relationships within the club. Despite their differences, with the trio constantly trying to find common ground, they may soon reach a point where they discover something genuine. This anime is probably the first one with the new type of protagonist - cynical and energy saving, and for this alone it deserves a masterpieces. Plus, I watched all the seasons which I would not have done without enjoying it. Talks are great, but the concept is not exactly thrilling. Moreover, after three seasons I can't say it's particularly memorable or impactful, so I'll stop at borderline masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 7/10   5. Plastic Memories プラスティック・メモリーズ [Doga Kobo] (Finished 4/13) Tags: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi  Eighteen-year-old Tsukasa Mizugaki has failed his college entrance exams, but after pulling some strings, he manages to land a job at the Sion Artificial Intelligence Corporation. SAI Corp is responsible for the creation of "Giftias"—highly advanced androids which are almost indiscernible from normal humans. However, unlike humans, Giftias have a maximum lifespan of 81,920 hours, or around nine years and four months. Terminal Service One, the station Tsukasa was assigned to, is responsible for collecting Giftias that have met their expiration date, before they lose their memories and become hostile. Promptly after joining Terminal Service One, Tsukasa is partnered with a beautiful Giftia named Isla. She is a Terminal Service veteran and considered the best in Giftia retrievals, contrary to her petite figure and placid nature. Time is fleeting though, and Tsukasa must come to terms with his feelings for Isla before her time is up. No matter how much someone desires it, nothing lasts forever. First episodes are all about android harassment. It gets slightly better, but it's still just rom com with average characters.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Kekkai Sensen Blood Blockade Battlefront 血界戦線 [Bones] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Super Power, Vampire Action, Fantasy Supersonic monkeys, vampires, talking fishmen, and all sorts of different supernatural monsters living alongside humans—this has been part of daily life in Hellsalem's Lot, formerly known as New York City, for some time now. When a gateway between Earth and the Beyond opened three years ago, New Yorkers and creatures from the other dimension alike were trapped in an impenetrable bubble and were forced to live together. Libra is a secret organization composed of eccentrics and superhumans, tasked with keeping order in the city and making sure that chaos doesn't spread to the rest of the world. Pursuing photography as a hobby, Leonardo Watch is living a normal life with his parents and sister. But when he obtains the "All-seeing Eyes of the Gods" at the expense of his sister's eyesight, he goes to Hellsalem's Lot in order to help her by finding answers about the mysterious powers he received. He soon runs into Libra, and when Leo unexpectedly joins their ranks, he gets more than what he bargained for. Kekkai Sensen follows Leo's misadventures in the strangest place on Earth with his equally strange comrades—as the ordinary boy unwittingly sees his life take a turn for the extraordinary. This is episodic pure nonsense about aliens that behave outside any logical paradigms. But people even like Durara, so enjoy your random mess if you can, I guess.   Overall Rating: 5/10   7. Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works 2nd Season Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] Season 2 Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] 2nd シーズン [ufotable] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural  In the midst of the Fifth Holy Grail War, Caster sets her plans into motion, beginning with the capture of Shirou's Servant Saber. With the witch growing ever more powerful, Rin and Archer determine she is a threat that must be dealt with at once. But as the balance of power in the war begins to shift, the Master and Servant find themselves walking separate ways. Meanwhile, despite losing his Servant and stumbling from injuries, Shirou ignores Rin's warning to abandon the battle royale, forcing his way into the fight against Caster. Determined to show his resolve in his will to fight, Shirou's potential to become a protector of the people is put to the test. Amidst the bloodshed and chaos, the motivations of each Master and Servant are slowly revealed as they sacrifice everything in order to arise as the victor and claim the Holy Grail. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. High School DxD BorN ハイスクールD×D BorN  [TNK] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, Mythology, School Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi The Red Dragon Emperor, Issei Hyoudou, and the Occult Research Club are back in action as summer break comes for the students of Kuoh Academy. After their fight with Issei’s sworn enemy, Vali and the Chaos Brigade, it is clear just how inexperienced Rias Gremory's team is. As a result, she and Azazel lead the club on an intense training regime in the Underworld to prepare them for the challenges that lie ahead. While they slowly mature as a team, Issei will once again find himself in intimate situations with the girls of the Occult Research Club. Meanwhile, their adversaries grow stronger and more numerous as they rally their forces. And with the sudden appearance of Loki, the Evil God of Norse Mythology, the stage is set for epic fights and wickedly powerful devils in High School DxD BorN! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches 山田くんと7人の魔女 [LIDENFILMS] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, School Comedy, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural When Ryuu Yamada entered high school, he wanted to turn over a new leaf and lead a productive school life. That is why he chose to attend Suzaku High School, where no one would know of his violent delinquent reputation. However, much to Ryuu's dismay, he is soon bored; now a second year, Ryuu has reverted to his old ways—lazy with abysmal grades and always getting into fights. One day, back from yet another office visit, Ryuu encounters Urara Shiraishi, a beautiful honors student. A misstep causes them both to tumble down the stairs, ending in an accidental kiss! The pair discover they can switch bodies with a kiss: an ability which will prove to be both convenient and troublesome. Learning of their new power, Toranosuke Miyamura, a student council officer and the single member of the Supernatural Studies Club, recruits them for the club. Soon joined by Miyabi Itou, an eccentric interested in all things supernatural, the group unearths the legend of the Seven Witches of Suzaku High, seven female students who have obtained different powers activated by a kiss. The Supernatural Studies Club embarks on its first quest: to find the identities of all the witches. Dropped it before and have no intentions of finishing it now. One of the better harems, but I even don't like characters.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Nisekoi: Nisekoi: False Love ニセコイ [Shaft] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, School Comedy, Romance Despite having seemingly quelled the war between their respective gangs, Raku Ichijou and Chitoge Kirisaki still carry on with their fake relationship. Eventually, as Chitoge's perception of Raku slowly changes, she even begins to see him as a little charming. Chitoge struggles to come to terms with her newfound feelings for Raku, as a new girl joins the slew of Raku's admirers and the competition among those vying for the yakuza heir's attention grows even fiercer. And amidst all this, Raku's search for his first love and the contents of the mysterious sealed locket continues in Nisekoi:, which picks up where the first season left off. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Ore Monogatari!! My Love Story!! 俺物語!! [Madhouse] (Finished 3/24) Tags: Shoujo Comedy, Romance  With his muscular build and tall stature, Takeo Gouda is no ordinary high school freshman. However, behind Takeo's intimidating appearance lies a pure heart of gold, and he is considered a hero by his male peers for his courage and chivalry. Unfortunately for Takeo, his appearance does not bode well for his love life. As if his looks were not already enough to scare the opposite sex away, Takeo's cool, handsome best friend and constant companion Makoto Sunakawa easily, and unintentionally, steals the hearts of the female students—including every girl Takeo has ever liked. One day, when Takeo saves cute Rinko Yamato from being molested, he falls in love with her instantly. Unfortunately, he suspects that she might be interested in Sunakawa. Despite his romantic feelings for Yamato continuing to bloom, Takeo decides to act as her cupid, even as he yearns for his own love story. As far as I see, it does not go beyond the concept - same manly blushes and girly persistence repeat over and over again. Two naïve simpletons is definitely not the kinds of characters I can like.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Gintama° Gintama Season 4 銀魂° [Bandai Namco Pictures] (Finished 51/51) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, Historical, Parody, Samurai Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi Gintoki, Shinpachi, and Kagura return as the fun-loving but broke members of the Yorozuya team! Living in an alternate-reality Edo, where swords are prohibited and alien overlords have conquered Japan, they try to thrive on doing whatever work they can get their hands on. However, Shinpachi and Kagura still haven't been paid... Does Gin-chan really spend all that cash playing pachinko? Meanwhile, when Gintoki drunkenly staggers home one night, an alien spaceship crashes nearby. A fatally injured crew member emerges from the ship and gives Gintoki a strange, clock-shaped device, warning him that it is incredibly powerful and must be safeguarded. Mistaking it for his alarm clock, Gintoki proceeds to smash the device the next morning and suddenly discovers that the world outside his apartment has come to a standstill. With Kagura and Shinpachi at his side, he sets off to get the device fixed; though, as usual, nothing is ever that simple for the Yorozuya team. Filled with tongue-in-cheek humor and moments of heartfelt emotion, Gintama's fourth season finds Gintoki and his friends facing both their most hilarious misadventures and most dangerous crises yet. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Hibike! Euphonium Sound! Euphonium 響け！ユーフォニアム [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Music, Performing Arts, School Drama Now that Kumiko Oumae has enrolled in Kitauji High School, she hopes to forget about her past. Despite her desire for a fresh start, she gets dragged into the school's band club by her new friends—Sapphire Kawashima and Hazuki Katou—and is once again stuck playing the euphonium. As the band currently stands, they won't be able to participate in the local festival, Sunfest, let alone compete at a national level. The band's new advisor, Noboru Taki, gives them a choice: they can relax and have fun, or practice hard and attempt to get into nationals. Not wanting to repeat her mistakes from middle school, Kumiko is doubtful as to whether they should try for nationals. Amidst the chaos, she learns that her old bandmate, Reina Kousaka (who she had a bitter relationship with) has joined Kitauji's band club. Under the pressure of Noboru's strict training, Kumiko and her bandmates must learn to overcome their struggles and find success together. I watched it on recommendation from acquaintance before... and I never understood what to like here. It's just musical SOL with teamwork and some cuteness, but it just does not stand out for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Grisaia no Rakuen The Eden of Grisaia グリザイアの楽園 [8bit] (Finished 10/10) Tags: Harem, Psychological Drama, Romance Grisaia no Rakuen begins right at the end of the previous installment, Grisaia no Meikyuu. Kazami Yuuji is arrested under suspicion for terrorism. A video showing apparently concrete proof that Yuuji committed these acts, and he is held in custody by Ichigaya. Ichigaya knows full well that Yuuji didn't commit the crimes he has been accused of. But he did fail to assassinate Heath Oslo, who is the leader of the terrorist organization with an extremely devastating weapon in their possession. In fact, Ichigaya have their own plans for Yuuji... But all may not be lost for Yuuji. The girls of the Mihama Academy are not about to let Yuuji be used for political gain, and neither may the mysterious new figure which appears before them. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Arslan Senki (TV) The Heroic Legend of Arslan アルスラーン戦記 [SANZIGEN, LIDENFILMS] (Finished 8/25) Tags: Shounen Historical, Military Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy The year is 320. Under the rule of the belligerent King Andragoras III, the Kingdom of Pars is at war with the neighboring empire, Lusitania. Though different from his father in many aspects, Arslan, the young prince, sets out to prove his valor on the battlefield for the very first time. However, when the king is betrayed by one of his most trusted officials, the Parsian army is decimated and the capital city of Ecbatana is sieged. With the army in shambles and the Lusitanians out for his head, Arslan is forced to go on the run. With a respected general by his side, Daryun, Arslan soon sets off on a journey in search of allies that will help him take back his home. However, the enemies that the prince faces are far from limited to just those occupying his kingdom. Armies of other kingdoms stand ready to conquer Ecbatana. Moreover, the mastermind behind Lusitania's victory, an enigmatic man hiding behind a silver mask, poses a dangerous threat to Arslan and his company as he possesses a secret that could jeopardize Arslan's right to succession. With the odds stacked against him, Arslan must find the strength and courage to overcome these obstacles, and allies who will help him fight in the journey that will help prepare him for the day he becomes king. I dropped it earlier at some 8th episode, and can't force myself to go beyond that. It could be a lot better, but, alas.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Punch Line パンチライン [MAPPA] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Super Power, Time Travel Comedy, Sci-Fi, Supernatural, Ecchi After escaping a bus hijacking with the help of masked superhero Strange Juice, Yuuta Iridatsu finds his soul separated from his body and in the care of a perverse cat spirit, Chiranosuke. As a spirit, Yuuta wanders around his residence, the Korai House, aiming to regain his body and observe the other residents: Meika Daihatsu, a genius inventor; Mikatan Narugino, a cheerful idol; Ito Hikiotani, a shut-in NEET; and Rabura Chichibu, a spiritual medium. After catching a glimpse of Narugino's undergarments, Chiranosuke reveals to Yuuta that he becomes exponentially stronger upon seeing panties. However, if he sees another pair while he is still a spirit, his power will cause an asteroid to crash into the earth, ending the world and killing his friends. Punch Line follows Yuuta as he unravels the mysteries surrounding Korai House, its residents, and a villainous organization attempting to end the world. Will Yuuta be able to save everyone, or will the ever-present threat of panties result in their doom? There's too much nonsense for me. Nothing here to really invoke interest.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Triage X トリアージX [Xebec] (Finished 3/10) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Ecchi  In a deadly terrorist attack, Arashi Mikami narrowly escapes death but loses everything in the process, including his family and best friend. However, the surgeon that rescues him is far from just an ordinary doctor—he commands a strike team known as Black Label whose task is to exterminate deadly criminals who have fallen too far. Filled with a new determination, Arashi joins the ranks of the vigilante organization. Black Label's targets are aplenty, as evil scum lurks everywhere—dangerous arms dealers, corrupt politicians, and shady gangsters all find themselves hunted by the extermination team. Although haunted by their dark and sinister past, all of the hunters are highly skilled at slaying their targets. In spite of the perilous lives the members live, Arashi and the gorgeous ladies surrounding him still manage to get caught up in a variety of sultry moments and racy hijinks. Though they face strong opposition, nothing can stop Black Label's objective of cleansing the world of ghastly evil. Just ecchi action with typical characters.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Denpa Kyoushi Ultimate Otaku Teacher 電波教師 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 4/24) Tags: Shounen Otaku Culture, School Comedy, Romance Junichirou Kagami is a young published physicist, a genius, and a hopeless otaku. At the mercy of YD, a self-diagnosed illness which causes him to only be able to do what he "Yearns to Do," Junichirou foregoes his scientific career to maintain and improve his anime blog. However, when he gets hired as a high school physics teacher; his sister Suzune, no longer willing to tolerate his NEET lifestyle, forces him to take the position. Despite the fact that Junichirou has no motivation to teach the standard curriculum, he may still have something of value to teach his students outside of academics. With his class in tow, Junichirou embarks on an unlikely journey filled with life lessons such as acceptance of others, how to make lasting friends, and what it means to live a better life by doing what you yearn to do. It takes the concept of Onizuka and transforms it with otaku protagonist. And main difference is that it's being unrealistic and full of cliché. Individual arcs are probably the main attraction here, but I was not impressed.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Nagato Yuki-chan no Shoushitsu The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan 長門有希ちゃんの消失 [Satelight] (Finished 16/16) Tags: Seinen School Comedy, Romance In a familiar yet different universe, shy bookworm and gamer Yuki Nagato is the president of North High School's Literary Club. Her friends, the overly-cautious Ryouko Asakura and completely average Kyon, are the only other members of the club. Nevertheless, Yuki enjoys the peace and quiet she shares with them, especially when she is with Kyon, whom she has a crush on. Added to the mix are Tsuruya and Mikuru Asahina, two friends with opposite personalities who frequently stop by the Literary Club. While walking back to her apartment on a cold December day, Yuki is coerced into drawing strange symbols on the ground by a girl supposedly attempting to capture Santa Claus. The girl introduces herself as Haruhi Suzumiya, an eccentric student from the prestigious Kouyouen Academy who is on the hunt for aliens, time travelers, and espers. When Haruhi and her friend Itsuki Koizumi make a sudden appearance in the clubroom, they declare themselves as official members of the Literary Club, with Haruhi taking up residence as the executive president. With the tranquil days of the Literary Club now behind them, Yuki and her friends get caught up in a series of misadventures under Haruhi's leadership—with each incident bringing Yuki and Kyon closer than ever before. Only finished it out of respect for the series. Basically, Nagano becomes a dumb lovesick puppy for the majority of the season, and the reason for it given in the end absolutely is not worth the effort. And I'm absolutely not a fan of story being retold again, just from another point of view. Very weak outcome rooting in fanservice concept.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Diamond no Ace: Second Season Ace of Diamond: Second Season ダイヤのA[エース]～Second Season～ [Production I.G, Madhouse] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Shounen School, Team Sports Sports After the National Tournament, the Seidou High baseball team moves forward with uncertainty as the Fall season quickly approaches. In an attempt to build a stronger team centered around their new captain, fresh faces join the starting roster for the very first time. Previous losses weigh heavily on the minds of the veteran players as they continue their rigorous training, preparing for what will inevitably be their toughest season yet. Rivals both new and old stand in their path as Seidou once again climbs their way toward the top, one game at a time. Needed now more than ever before, Furuya and Eijun must be determined to pitch with all their skill and strength in order to lead their team to victory. And this time, one of these young pitchers may finally claim that coveted title: "The Ace of Seidou." Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Sidonia no Kishi: Daikyuu Wakusei Seneki Knights of Sidonia: Battle for Planet Nine シドニアの騎士 第九惑星戦役 [Polygon Pictures] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Mecha, Space Action, Sci-Fi After barely escaping a collision with a gigantic Gauna at the cost of many human lives, Kobayashi—the captain of the spaceship Sidonia—is prompted to change her political paradigm. Once she seizes full power, Kobayashi aims to eradicate the Gaunas from the Lem system where former Sidonians have recently established a colony. Her ambition is justified by two breakthroughs: the development of highly effective, long-range anti-Gauna weapons, and the creation of Tsumugi Shiraui—the first human-Gauna chimera possessing great destructive power. Facing hostility toward chimeras and her uncertain large-scale military expedition, Kobayashi enlists the help of the new elite pilot Nagate Tanikaze. Due to his personal experiences with Shizuka Hoshijiro and Benisuzume's placenta, Tanikaze soon develops a close bond with Tsumugi. As the final battle against humanity's most formidable opponent approaches, Tanikaze tries to enjoy the last days of peace with his friend Izana Shinatose—all while Kobayashi secretly pursues the development of an experimental weapon that could very well lead to the complete destruction of Sidonia. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Baby Steps 2nd Season ベイビーステップ 第2シリーズ [Pierrot] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen School Sports After having decided to play tennis at the professional level, Eiichirou Maruo now needs to convince his parents to support his decision. To do so, he makes a wager: if he cannot win the All-Japan Junior Tennis Tournament, he will give up on his dream. However, he will need to improve his skills quickly if he wants to qualify for the tournament and have any chance of defeating the best players in the country. For this reason, his new coach Ryuuhei Aoi suggests that Eiichirou travel abroad to train at the Florida Tennis Academy. Baby Steps 2nd Season takes the action to America as Eiichirou begins his two-week training program, getting a taste of what tennis is like outside of Japan. With this exciting experience awaiting him, Eiichirou hopes that his training will get him closer to his goal of becoming a professional player. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   23. Mikagura Gakuen Kumikyoku (TV) Mikagura School Suite ミカグラ学園組曲 [Doga Kobo] (Finished 3/12) Tags: School, Super Power, Visual Arts Action, Comedy, Girls Love  To be around cute girls wearing cute clothing is all Eruna Ichinomiya desires. Since Mikagura High School happens to have the cutest uniforms around, she decides to enroll in this prestigious high school known for its cultural clubs. However, she does not realize that joining a club is mandatory, and representatives from each club must battle for a ranking. Based on these rankings, club members are awarded housing and food. Chasing after Seisa Mikagura, the most beautiful girl in school, Eruna joins the going-home club but finds herself thrust into fighting the next club battle. With the other club representatives wielding unique powers, the competition is sure to be fierce! Based on the popular song series, Mikagura Gakuen Kumikyoku follows Eruna as she explores the various clubs in school and assists the members with their troubled lives, all of whom are also vying for the top spot in school. Feels like modern Utena, but there's so little sense in it all that it's painful to watch for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Kyoukai no Rinne RIN-NE 境界のRINNE [Brain's Base] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen School Comedy, Supernatural Rinne Rokudou has bigger problems than going to school—namely, helping spirits pass over to the next life. Because of this responsibility, he often finds himself short on money and struggles to buy his necessities: food, clothes, and exorcism tools. Sakura Mamiya has been able to see ghosts since she was little. She hoped she would outgrow it, but even after starting high school, nothing has changed. To make matters worse, the first time her ever-absent classmate, Rinne, shows up for school, only Sakura can see him. She assumes, as anyone would, that he is a ghost. However, to Sakura's surprise, Rinne proceeds to attend school like normal the next day. Kyoukai no Rinne chronicles Sakura's journey as she learns of Rinne's true nature and the existence of a hidden supernatural world. Exorcism anime is of miniscule interest to me, same silly as Inuyasha.   Overall Rating: 5/10   25. Show By Rock!! SHOW BY ROCK!!（ショウ・バイ・ロック!!） [Bones] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Isekai, Music Comedy, Fantasy The great music adventure in Show by Rock!! begins after Cyan decides to play her favorite rhythm game and suddenly gets sucked in, finding herself in a world called Midi City where music reigns supreme. She learns that anyone who delivers amazing and powerful music also has the ability to control the city. However, not all music is pure. An evil plan is set in motion to engulf the whole Midi City in darkness. Is it too late for Cyan to do something? Cyan Hijirikawa always regards herself as nothing but an ordinary girl living in a mediocre world. She has great talent and extreme guitar skills, but she also lacks the confidence to take the first step in realizing her dream to play in a band and be a music millionaire! Little did she know that an eminent power resides deep within herself—the power to defeat evil with her magical music! Join Cyan, Chuchu, Retoree and Moa in a world where music is everything. Some kind of musical Sailor Moon, but based on a game and with usage of horrible CGI. Can't watch this nonsense past first episode.   Overall Rating: 5/10   26. Etotama えとたま（干支魂） [Shirogumi, Encourage Films] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Gag Humor Action, Comedy, Fantasy Every 60 years, the heavens conduct a sacred ritual called ETM12. This custom involves selecting worthy Eto-musume—celestial beings representing different animals—to become one of the members of the Chinese zodiac, or Eto-shin. However, since the first ETM12 two thousand years ago, the original batch of Eto-shin reigns with no one being able to replace them. Nyaa-tan is a cat Eto-musume who aspires to become a member of the zodiac in the ongoing ETM12. Fulfilling her ambition requires her to secure 12 seals, one for each Eto-shin. To that end, she must win various types of battles using Sol/Lull—divine energy created by people's positive emotions. This task is not easy however, as her powers as an Eto-musume are far below the abilities of a single Eto-shin. As such, she needs a constant source of energy. But in a chance encounter, Nyaa-tan meets Takeru Amato, a man who has just transferred to the apartment where she is secretly staying. To Nyaa-tan's delight, Takeru discovers that he gives out high quality Sol/Lull—something that sets him apart from most people. With this, the story of Takeru and Nyaa-tan begins. As Takeru supports Nyaa-tan in her dreams, he meets the Eto-shin and begins to uncover a mysterious past. More worthless fluff and episodic comedy.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Hello!! Kiniro Mosaic Hello!! KINMOZA! ハロー!!きんいろモザイク [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 1/12) Tags: CGDCT, School Slice of Life Although learning different languages continues to be an interest for Shinobu and her friends, the new school year brings unexpected difficulties. Not only is there always something new and different to distract them from their studies, but Alice and Yoko also are having trouble adjusting to being in a different class from Shinobu and Aya. Meanwhile, Karen isn't getting along at all with her new homeroom teacher, and it doesn't help that the teacher is having trouble figuring out how to make herself seem friendlier to her students as well. Craziness may ensue, but sometimes, all it takes is the right mutual experience to bring everyone together. While some of those experiences may not be as well-thought-out as others (like when Alice and Aya act like juvenile delinquents to seem more grown up), the gang's new adventures are certain to warm everyone's heart as the fun and friendships keep growing in HELLO!! KINMOZA! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Gunslinger Stratos The Animation Gunslinger Stratos: The Animation ガンスリンガー ストラトス -THE ANIMATION- [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Action, Sci-Fi A.D. 2115—the island nation once called Japan is now known as the "17th Far East Imperial City Management District." The citizens were promised a life of peace in exchange for some of the comfort they were used to having. People believed their lives would never change and tomorrow will be the same as today. No one suspected the impending doom which their society was about to face. "Degradation"—a rare disease which led to the total disintegration of the human body to a mere pile of sand was slowly but surely spreading throughout the world. Tohru Kazasumi, an ordinary student becomes embroiled in a multi universal battle between his world and the parallel world of "Frontier S (Stratos)." This meant that Tohru must fight himself from an alternate world. Their futures collide as their paths cross. Will both worlds ever find peace? So sort of isekai with time machine and using time energy to shape guns and save the world... level of craziness is this high. And addition of the fact that it's based on a game puts the last nail in its coffin for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Re-Kan! レーカン！ [Pierrot Plus] (Finished 1/13) Tags: School Comedy, Supernatural Hibiki Amami would be a regular high school girl if it weren't for one thing: a sixth sense that allows her to see ghosts. Rather than being scared, Amami is more interested in befriending and helping the apparitions. This often leads to her human friends witnessing paranormal activity as the ghosts try to help Amami with everyday tasks. The majority of Amami's friends accept that she has a sixth sense, but Narumi Inoue—a girl who is terrified of the supernatural—refuses to acknowledge that ghosts are real. Though she is scared and stubborn, Inoue goes along with the rest of her friends, who decide to take up Amami's mission of helping ghosts however they can. Friendship with spirits has become a separate super boring genre after Mushishi. Comedy makes it only slightly more appealing.   Overall Rating: 6/10   30. Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Alternative Architecture Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Alternative Architecture 攻殻機動隊 ARISE ALTERNATIVE ARCHITECTURE [Production I.G] (Finished 10/10) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective, Mecha, Psychological Sci-Fi A TV anime version of Ghost in the Shell: Arise. The first eight episodes are an edited version of the four movies while the last two features a new arc called "Pyrophoric Cult." The plot involves the "Fire Starter" virus explored previously, and introduces the new character Pyromania. The episode will have ties to the upcoming film. 80% of it is reused and reduced material, the last episodes are a simple story poorly fit for conclusion.   Overall Rating: 6/10   31. Houkago no Pleiades (TV) 放課後のプレアデス [Gainax] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Space Action, Sci-Fi  The sky is the limit in Houkago no Pleiades. With telescope in hand, Subaru is set to go to the observation room of her school in order to get a view of that night's meteor shower. What she least expects is that behind the observatory door was not the starry skies, but a lavish garden, complete with a resplendent fountain and a mysterious young boy with long red hair. But the garden soon disappeared, as if Subaru was only imagining things. All that remains of that brilliant sight is an odd, bouncing blob creature that leads her to another magical door, occupied by other girls in magical witch-like costumes. Revelations start hitting Subaru one after the other: one of the girls in the room is her childhood friend Aoi, the little blob is actually an alien of a species called the Pleiadians trying to return home, and Subaru has been selected by him to become the newest member of their group! Now Subaru's dreams of the stars have come true in the wildest way, as she and her friends attempt to gather pieces of the Pleiadian spacecraft engine to return the being to his home. But they're not the only ones after the engine parts, and they have no idea why! Is this really Gainax... because it's totally mainstream mahou shoujo and pretty bland too.   Overall Rating: 6/10   32. Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha ViVid 魔法少女リリカルなのはViVid [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Mahou Shoujo, Martial Arts Action, Adventure Vivio Takamachi, a Sankt Kaiser royalty of ancient Belka, was previously subjected to mistreatment. Fortunately, she now lives a peaceful life with family and friends while practicing martial arts with her coach, Nove Nakajima. However, Vivio soon becomes the target of the mysterious fighter Heidi E. S. Ingvalt, who demands Nove to reveal the location of the ancient Belkan royals. Refusing to disclose this information, Nove finds herself in a losing battle but Heidi soon falls unconscious. In addition, Nove discovers Heidi's true identity to be a middle school student named Einhald Stratos. When she regains consciousness, Einhald clarifies that she has no animosity toward ancient Belkan royals. Having inherited the passion to defend and harboring regretful memories of her ancestor, the ancient Belkan ruler Claus Ingvalt, she simply wants to prove that her fighting ability is strong enough to protect others. Intrigued by the girl's situation, Nove arranges for Einhald to meet with Vivio. Although they get off to an unconventional start, Vivio enthusiastically trains with Einhald, assisting her in finding peace of mind while developing a vivid friendship along the way. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   33. Tesagure! Bukatsumono Spin-off Purupurun Sharumu to Asobou てさぐれ！部活もの すぴんおふ プルプルんシャルムと遊ぼう [Yaoyorozu] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Parody, School Slice of Life A spin-off of the Tesagure! Bukatsumono series. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   34. Jewelpet Magical Change ジュエルペット マジカルチェンジ [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/39) Tags: Anthropomorphic, Mahou Shoujo Comedy, Fantasy The story follows the adventures of rabbit-shaped Jewelpet Ruby, her long-best human friend Airi Kirara and the other Jewelpets on their mission to restore the Jewel Castle, which had fallen from the skies into the middle of the town because of humanity's lack of faith in magic. To restore people's belief in magic, Jewelpets transform into humans to study more about them. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   35. Eikoku Ikka, Nihon wo Taberu Sushi and Beyond 英国一家、日本を食べる [Fanworks] (Finished 2/24) Tags: Comedy, Gourmet, Slice of Life  Based on a book by British travel and dining journalist Michael Booth. Follows Booth, his wife Lissen, and two kids Ansger (6) and Emil (4), on their 100-day trip to Japan as they try a wide variety of Japanese foods. Booth was inspired to make the trip by Shizuo Tsuji's book, Japanese Cooking, A Simple Art. Too simple Art. Normal gaikokujin cliché with little interest whatsoever.   Overall Rating: 5/10   36. Ninja Slayer From Animation ニンジャスレイヤー フロムアニメイシヨン [Trigger] (Finished 2/26) Tags: Action Ninja... Ninja were... merciless demi-gods, ruling Japan with their karate in the age of ninja tranquillity. But, "some" committed a forbidden form of hara-kiri storing their souls at Kinkaku Temple for future resurrection. Their lost history was falsified and concealed and the truth about these ninja was long forgotten. Now, in the future where the universalization of cybernetic technology and electronic networks are God, suddenly, sinister ninja souls, resurrected from thousands of years past are unleashed on the dark shadows of Neo-Saitama. Fujikido Kenji, is a salaryman whose wife and child were killed in a ninja turf war. In a brush with his own death, Fujikido is possessed by an enigmatic ninja soul. Fujikido cheats death and becomes Ninja Slayer. A Grim Reaper destined to kill evil ninja, committed to a personal war of vengeance. Set in the dystopian underworld of Neo-Saitama, Ninja Slayer takes on Soukai Syndicate ninjas in mortal combat. It wants to look trashy, but I say it's just trash.   Overall Rating: 5/10   37. Huyao Xiao Hongniang Fox Spirit Matchmaker 狐妖小红娘 [Haoliners Animation League, Garden Culture] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Historical Comedy, Romance, Supernatural True love never dies—even when it is between a human and a near-immortal youkai. Thankfully, fox spirit youkai have discovered a solution which allows a human to be reincarnated, and with the services of a Fox Spirit Matchmaker, eventually recall memories of their past life, so they can begin anew with their beloved youkai. Enter Bai Yuechu—a powerful human Taoist who desires freedom from the ruling Yi Qi Dao League—and Tushan Susu, a small and innocent fox spirit who dreams of becoming a renowned matchmaker, despite her reputation as a colossal screw-up. After Susu literally falls through the roof and into his life, Yuechu gets dragged into helping her bring together two separated lovers: prince Fan Yun Fei and his reincarnated lover, Li Xueyang. However, not everyone wants them to be reunited, including Xueyang herself. Thrown together by fate, Yuechu and Susu will discover who they truly are... and who they used to be. First decent Chinese anime in the way that it does not feel out of the flow and has only light Chinese flavor. But calling it interesting would be an overkill.    Overall Rating: 6/10   38. Mang Huang Ji The Legend of Jade Sword 莽荒纪 [-] (Finished 3/19) Tags: Historical, Martial Arts Action, Adventure, Fantasy Fate had never been kind to Ji Ning. Wracked by illnesses and infirm his entire life on Earth, Ning knew early on that he would die as a teenager. What he didn’t know was that there really was such a thing as life after death, and that the universe was a far larger place than he thought. A lucky twist of fate (one of the few in Ning’s life) meant that Ning was reborn into a world of Immortals and monsters, of Ki Refiners and powerful Fiendgods, a world where Dynasties lasted for millions of years. A world which is both greater and yet also smaller than he ever could imagine. He would have the opportunity to join them, and in this life, Ning swore to himself, he would never let himself be weak again! The Era he was born into was a Desolate one, but Ning would make it his era. Started rather well as isekai, but went into traditional Chinese trash very soon.   Overall Rating: 6/10   39. Wo Jiao Bai Xiaofei 我叫白小飞 [Haoliners Animation League] (Finished 1/39) Tags: Action, Comedy, Horror Bai Xiaofei lived a dull, boring life. That all changes when, on his way to find his girlfriend, he meets a mutant with unprecedented power. As an ordinary human being, Xiaofei felt totally out of his depth; there was no way he could defeat powerful enemies and track down the cause of these strange mutations. After giving himself a shot of body enhancer bought online, however, he gradually reaches his potential. Typical Chinese trash - no exposition, no characters introduction, no coherent story - only silly comedy and action with generally harmful idea of buying some body amplifiers online without any prescription or counsel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   40. Koukaku Kidoutai: Shin Movie Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie 攻殻機動隊 新劇場版 [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective, Mecha, Psychological Action, Award Winning, Mystery, Sci-Fi In the year 2027, a year following the end of the non-nuclear World War IV, a bomb has gone off in Newport City, killing a major arms dealer who may have ties with the mysterious 501 Organization. Public Security official Daisuke Aramaki hires full-body cyber prosthesis user and hacker extraordinaire, Motoko Kusanagi, to investigate. It's finally moving as a team now, but I don't like designs of Rise, and not only for Kusanagi, and the story is not something special here either.   Overall Rating: 6/10   41. Sarusuberi: Miss Hokusai 百日紅～Miss HOKUSAI～ [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Historical, Visual Arts  Award Winning, Drama, Supernatural The time: 1814. The place: Edo, now known as Tokyo. One of the highest populated cities in the world, teeming with peasants, samurai, townsmen, merchants, nobles, artists, courtesans, and perhaps even supernatural things. A much accomplished artist of his time and now in his mid-fifties, Tetsuzo can boast clients from all over Japan, and tirelessly works in the garbage-loaded chaos of his house-atelier. He spends his days creating astounding pieces of art, from a giant-size Bodhidharma portrayed on a 180 square meter-wide sheet of paper, to a pair of sparrows painted on a tiny rice grain. Short-tempered, utterly sarcastic, with no passion for sake or money, he would charge a fortune for any job he is not really interested in. Third of Tetsuzo's four daughters and born out of his second marriage, outspoken 23-year-old O-Ei has inherited her father's talent and stubbornness, and very often she would paint instead of him, though uncredited. Her art is so powerful that sometimes leads to trouble. "We're father and daughter; with two brushes and four chopsticks, I guess we can always manage, in a way or another." Decades later, Europe was going to discover the immense talent of Tetsuzo. He was to become best known by one of his many names: Katsushika Hokusai. He would mesmerize Renoir and van Gogh, Monet and Klimt. However, very few today are even aware of the woman who assisted him all his life, and greatly contributed to his art while remaining uncredited. This is the untold story of O-Ei, Master Hokusai's daughter: a lively portrayal of a free-spirited woman overshadowed by her larger-than-life father, unfolding through the changing seasons. Edo SOL, and a pretty slow and unexciting one.   Overall Rating: 6/10   42. Crayon Shin-chan Movie 23: Ora no Hikkoshi Monogatari - Saboten Daisuugeki Crayon Shin-chan: My Moving Story - The Great Cactus Attack! クレヨンしんちゃん オラの引越し物語～サボテン大襲撃～ [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Action, Adventure, Comedy Hiroshi was ordered to be the manager of his company's Mexico branch in order to collect the fruit of a new type of cactus that has the sweetest nectar. So, Nohara family packs up and moves to Mexico to live there. They had to bid farewell to their acquaintances and the citizens of Kasukabe with tears. Shinnosuke heard that Mexican young girls are stylish and beautiful and became eager for this journey. On arriving at Mardequellyovaca city in Mexico, a new life full of anxiety, surrounded by unique neighbors awaits them. But Shinnosuke and Nohara family had no idea that flesh-eating killer cactuses are going to attack. To save the town, the Nohara family and their neighbors work together to fight against "Killer Cactus". Going in the right direction with this one as there is finally no new silly organization that tries to conquer the world. Still not enough impact for a masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 6/10   43. Te Gong Mingxing Kung Fu Style 特功明星 [Gorilla Pictures] (Finished 0/1) Tags: -  The plot follows Kung Fu kid Dodo Lee, who dreams of being a star at Oscar Lei's studio but is stuck as a puppeteer in his never satisfied father's show. When Dodo encounters super star Kitty Mo, dream and reality clash and the pair find themselves in a fight between good and evil orchestrated by the power crazed Oscar. Not translated. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. kivandopulus
    3-gatsu no Lion takes the upper hand as the new title over sequel Gantz:O . But I also enjoyed Keijo!!!!!!! and Shuumatsu no Izetta .   1. Haikyuu!! Karasuno Koukou vs. Shiratorizawa Gakuen Koukou Haikyu!! 3rd Season ハイキュー!! 烏野高校 VS 白鳥沢学園高校  [Production I.G] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Shounen School, Team Sports After the victory against Aoba Jousai High, Karasuno High School, once called “a fallen powerhouse, a crow that can’t fly,” has finally reached the climax of the heated Spring tournament. Now, to advance to nationals, the Karasuno team has to defeat the powerhouse Shiratorizawa Academy. Karasuno’s greatest hurdle is their adversary’s ace, Wakatoshi Ushijima, the number one player in the Miyagi Prefecture, and one of the country’s top three aces. Only the strongest team will make it to the national tournament. Since this match is the third-year players’ last chance to qualify for nationals, Karasuno has to use everything they learned during the training camp and prior matches to attain victory. Filled with restlessness and excitement, both teams are determined to come out on top in the third season of Haikyuu!!. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Yuri!!! on Ice ユーリ!!! on ICE [MAPPA] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Performing Arts Award Winning, Sports Reeling from his crushing defeat at the Grand Prix Finale, Yuuri Katsuki, once Japan's most promising figure skater, returns to his family home to assess his options for the future. At age 23, Yuuri's window for success in skating is closing rapidly, and his love of pork cutlets and aptitude for gaining weight are not helping either. However, Yuuri finds himself in the spotlight when a video of him performing a routine previously executed by five-time world champion, Victor Nikiforov, suddenly goes viral. In fact, Victor himself abruptly appears at Yuuri's house and offers to be his mentor. As one of his biggest fans, Yuuri eagerly accepts, kicking off his journey to make it back onto the world stage. But the competition is fierce, as the rising star from Russia, Yuri Plisetsky, is relentlessly determined to defeat Yuuri and win back Victor's tutelage. Dropped it once, still can't understand the appeal here. And it has enough of boys love vibes which is not represented in the tags, of course.   Overall Rating: 5/10   3. Bungou Stray Dogs 2nd Season Bungo Stray Dogs 2 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 Despite their differences in position, three men—the youngest senior executive of the Port Mafia, Osamu Dazai; the lowest ranking member, Sakunosuke Oda; and the intelligence agent, Ango Sakaguchi—gather at the Lupin Bar at the end of the day to relax and take delight in the company of friends. However, one night, Ango disappears. A photograph taken at the bar is all that is left of the three together. Fast forward to the present, and Dazai is now a member of the Armed Detective Agency. The Guild, an American gifted organization, has entered the fray and is intent on taking the Agency's work permit. They must now divide their attention between the two groups, the Guild and the Port Mafia, who oppose their very existence. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. 3-gatsu no Lion March Comes In Like a Lion 3月のライオン [Shaft] (Finished 22/22) Tags: Seinen Childcare, Strategy Game Drama Having reached professional status in middle school, Rei Kiriyama is one of the few elite in the world of shogi. Due to this, he faces an enormous amount of pressure, both from the shogi community and his adoptive family. Seeking independence from his tense home life, he moves into an apartment in Tokyo. As a 17-year-old living on his own, Rei tends to take poor care of himself, and his reclusive personality ostracizes him from his peers in school and at the shogi hall. However, not long after his arrival in Tokyo, Rei meets Akari, Hinata, and Momo Kawamoto, a trio of sisters living with their grandfather who owns a traditional wagashi shop. Akari, the oldest of the three girls, is determined to combat Rei's loneliness and poorly sustained lifestyle with motherly hospitality. The Kawamoto sisters, coping with past tragedies, also share with Rei a unique familial bond that he has lacked for most of his life. As he struggles to maintain himself physically and mentally through his shogi career, Rei must learn how to interact with others and understand his own complex emotions. Really enjoying this series. Memorable characters and interactions. But in the end it's just SOL with some ups and downs in chess, so can't rate it too high as it can't be called intellectual or unique as a story.   Overall Rating: 8/10   5. Drifters  [Hoods Entertainment] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Gore, Historical, Isekai, Military, Samurai Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy At the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Toyohisa Shimazu is the rearguard for his retreating troops, and is critically wounded when he suddenly finds himself in a modern, gleaming white hallway. Faced with only a stoic man named Murasaki and hundreds of doors on both sides, Toyohisa is pulled into the nearest door and into a world completely unlike his own. The strange land is populated by all manner of fantastical creatures, as well as warriors from different eras of Toyohisa's world who were thought to be dead. Quickly befriending the infamous warlord Nobunaga Oda and the ancient archer Yoichi Suketaka Nasu, Toyohisa learns of the political unrest tearing through the continent. Furthermore, they have been summoned as "Drifters" to fight against the "Ends," people who are responsible for the creation of the Orte Empire and are trying to annihilate the Drifters. As the Ends grow more powerful, so does the Empire's persecution of elves and other demihumans. It is up to Toyohisa and his group of unconventional heroes to battle in a brand-new world war to help the Empire's subjects, while protecting the land to claim for themselves and challenging the Ends. Trashy action comedy that feels bland and silly to me. Reminds me of JoJo the most.   Overall Rating: 5/10   6. Keijo!!!!!!!! 競女!!!!!!!! [Xebec] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen Combat Sports Sports, Ecchi Japan's latest competitive sport, keijo, is dictated by a simple set of rules: female-only participants must stand on circular platforms floating in a pool—referred to as "lands"—with the goal being to knocking off opponents using only their breasts and butts. Despite this outlandish premise, the sport attracts millions of viewers across the country and boasts a lavish prize pool. Many aspiring athletes take up the challenge in hopes of becoming the next national champion. After graduating from high school, the lively 17-year-old Nozomi Kaminashi enters the world of keijo, hoping to bring home a fortune to her poor family. As a gifted gymnast, Nozomi quickly proves herself a tough competitor after stealing the spotlight in her debut tournament. Meeting new friends and rivals as she climbs the ranks, Nozomi discovers that the path to stardom as a keijo player is filled with intense competition that will challenge not only her body, but also her soul. It's a pretty hilarious ecchi, second one that I can call a masterpiece and probably first among spokons. It's inventive and intriguing even though kind of silly.   Overall Rating: 7/10   7. Nanbaka ナンバカ [Satelight] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Action, Comedy, Drama  Nanba is the world's most formidable prison, built to incarcerate criminals who are too slippery to stay in ordinary confinement. The four inmates who occupy Cell 13 are particularly cunning on that behalf, having escaped every other prison with a perfect success rate. There is Juugo, a specialist in locks who has spent the majority of his life in prison; Uno, a gambler with great intuition; Nico, an otaku whose body reacts strangely to drugs; and Rock, a bruiser with a love for food. The daily shenanigans of the four prisoners always cause trouble for the building supervisor, Hajime Sugoroku, who desperately tries to prevent them from breaking out of Nanba. Nanbaka follows the comedic, sparkle-filled exploits of these prisoners and their guards. From three square meals a day to sports festivals, prison life in Nanba isn't actually that bad—and it is the closest these four have to a home. This looks even more like Jojo... and it's difficult to watch anime where every second episode is titled idiot or its synonim. Full of nonsense.   Overall Rating: 5/10   8. Ajin Part 2 亜人 第2クール [Polygon Pictures] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Gore Action, Horror, Mystery, Supernatural After escaping certain death, Kei Nagai and his new companion Kou Nakano plot revenge on Satou, their fellow Ajin who is hellbent on world domination. As Satou embarks on a string of public executions, the human race rushes to come up with a solution to stop the immortal villain. Kei discovers unlikely allies in the form of two former adversaries: high-ranking government official Yuu Tosaki, whose extensive research on Ajin gives him a tactical advantage in the fight against Satou, and Tosaki's Ajin assistant Izumi Shimomura. As his faction continues to gather allies, Kei races against time to put a stop to Satou's crusade before it brings about an end to civilization as he knows it. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Hibike! Euphonium 2 Sound! Euphonium 2 響け！ユーフォニアム2 [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Music, Performing Arts, School Drama Following their success in the qualifying round for the Kansai regional competition, the members of the Kitauji High School concert band set their sights on the next upcoming performance. Utilizing their summer break to the utmost, the band participates in a camp where they are instructed by their band advisor Noboru Taki and his friends who make their living as professional musicians. Kumiko Oumae and her friends remain determined to attain gold at the Kansai competition, but trouble arises when a student who once quit the band shows interest in rejoining and sparks unpleasant memories for the second-year members. Kumiko also learns about her teacher's surprising past and the motivation behind his desire to lead the band to victory. Reaching nationals will require hard work, and the adamant conviction in each student's commitment to the band will be put to the test. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Occultic;Nine Occultic;Nine －オカルティック・ナイン－ [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Mystery, Sci-Fi  A blog disproving the supernatural, co-run by NEET teenager Yuuta Gamon and his enthusiastic best friend Ryouka Narusawa, becomes the catalyst that would bring together a group of people who supposedly have nothing to do with each other. These individuals include high school fortune teller Miyuu Aikawa, who joins Yuuta to work on the blog; realist Sarai Hashigami, who is stunned when tragedy strikes his family; doujin artist Ririka Nishizono, who has an uncanny ability to predict the future with her art; black magic practitioner and local curse expert Aria Kurenaino and her ghostly friend; Shun Moritsuka, a seemingly childish otaku detective; and reporter Touko Sumikaze. As this unlikely group, bound only by the strings of fate, find their way to each other, they are confronted with murder and other events that are shrouded by the presence of the supernatural. They must band together to solve the mysteries interlacing the city and their lives. Tried it in the past, but could not stand occultic detective mystery.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Flip Flappers フリップフラッパーズ [Studio 3Hz] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi Cocona is an average middle schooler living with her grandmother. And she who has yet to decide a goal to strive for, soon met a strange girl named Papika who invites her to an organization called Flip Flap. Dragged along by the energetic stranger, Cocona finds herself in the world of Pure Illusion—a bizarre alternate dimension—helping Papika look for crystal shards. Upon completing their mission, Papika and Cocona are sent to yet another world in Pure Illusion. As a dangerous creature besets them, the girls use their crystals to transform into magical girls: Cocona into Pure Blade, and Papika into Pure Barrier. But as they try to defeat the creature before them, three others with powers from a rival organization enter the fray and slay the creature, taking with them a fragment left behind from its body. Afterward, the girls realize that to stand a chance against their rivals and the creatures in Pure Illusion, they must learn to work together and synchronize their feelings in order to transform more effectively. Dark mahou shoujo is always welcome. Pretty strange, but not in a good way.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Natsume Yuujinchou Go Natsume's Book of Friends Season 5 夏目友人帳 伍 [Shuka] (Finished 1/11) Tags: Shoujo Iyashikei, Mythology Drama, Slice of Life, Supernatural Blessed with eyes that are able to perceive the otherwise invisible youkai, Takashi Natsume hides his ability from his newfound family and friends to protect everyone's peaceful daily life. Nonetheless, Natsume never fails to show the same kindness to the benevolent youkai and happily returns their names by using the infamous Book of Friends he inherited from his late grandmother, Reiko. Meanwhile, the exorcist clan Matoba still wishes for Natsume to join their ranks due to his overwhelming gift. However, Natsume firmly rejects the clan's invitation since not all exorcists are as reasonable as his friend Shuuichi Natori, and many improperly and indiscriminately seal away every youkai in their way. Unsatisfied with Natsume's answer, Seiji Matoba blackmails Natsume into attending a grand gathering of powerful exorcist families. Natsume soon finds himself in the company of dangerous people and youkai alike. But even then, he continues to defy the exorcists' hard-handed methods and believes that peace between both worlds is possible. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   13. Shuumatsu no Izetta Izetta: The Last Witch 終末のイゼッタ [Ajia-do] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Historical, Military Action, Fantasy After Germania invaded a neighboring country in 1939, Europe spiraled into a devastating war. During the war, Germania set its sights on the weak alpine country of Elystadt. Boasting a far superior military and having achieved profuse success earlier in the war, it was expected that Germania would conquer Elystadt with ease. Matters are only made worse for the small country when Germanian soldiers capture their princess, Ortfiné "Finé" Fredericka von Eylstadt, as she is heading to a crucial meeting with Britannia. Yet, when a concurrent Germanian transport mission goes awry, Izetta, the last witch alive, escapes. When she recognizes Princess Finé from her childhood, Izetta rescues her from the Germanian soldiers by making use of her magical abilities. Now reunited with the princess, Izetta pledges to protect Elystadt from Germania, and with the last surviving witch on their arsenal, Elystadt hopes to turn the tides against the imperialist war giant. I remember being quite impressed with the setting and story. Having rewatched now, it still has a lot of charm. And I don't want to forget this anime title again, so for me it deserves a small masterpiece status.   Overall Rating: 7/10   14. Mahou Shoujo Ikusei Keikaku Magical Girl Raising Project 魔法少女育成計画 [Lerche] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Gore, Mahou Shoujo, Survival Action, Fantasy, Suspense The story begins with Izumi Hayato running to be student council president. But when a beautiful girl swings in promising the liberalization of love while flinging condoms into the audience, he ends up losing to her and becoming the vice president. At the student council meeting, the newly-elected president invites herself over to Izumi's house, where she promptly announces she is to become Izumi's wife thanks to an agreement—facilitated by alcohol—made between their parents when they were only 3. A decent dark mahou shoujo with obvious Madoka trail following. But characters are too simple here. And story is just duels, so it suffers a lot from such simplification.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. WWW.Working!! WWW.WAGNARIA!!  [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Workplace Comedy  Daisuke Higashida is a serious first-year student at Higashizaka High School. He lives a peaceful everyday life even though he is not satisfied with the family who doesn't laugh at all and makes him tired. However, his father's company goes bankrupt one day, and he can no longer afford allowances, cellphone bills, and commuter tickets. When his father orders him to take up a part-time job, Daisuke decides to work at a nearby family restaurant in order to avoid traveling 15 kilometers to school by bicycle. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Kidou Senshi Gundam: Tekketsu no Orphans 2nd Season Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans 2nd Season 機動戦士ガンダム 鉄血のオルフェンズ 第2期 [Sunrise] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Mecha, Space Action, Drama, Sci-Fi Tekkadan has now become a direct affiliate of Teiwaz after procuring a new trade agreement with Arbrau. With its newfound funds and prestige, Tekkadan finds both its list of allies and enemies growing. Meanwhile, the flames of the Gjallarhorn power struggle continue to rage in full force. As a part of her efforts to make Mars financially independent from Earth, Kudelia Aina Bernstein founds the Admoss Company and enlists Tekkadan as her business partner. The stakes are getting higher as the Tekkadan family continues to grow. Will Orga, Mikazuki, and the rest of the Tekkadan faction be able to keep up, or will Kudelia's dream of Martian independence die out? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Udon no Kuni no Kiniro Kemari Poco's Udon World うどんの国の金色毛鞠 [LIDENFILMS] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen Anthropomorphic, Childcare, Iyashikei Slice of Life, Supernatural Taking a break from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, Souta Tawara returns to his hometown in Kagawa. Though his parents are no longer around, his former home and family-owned udon restaurant reminds him of the times his family was still together. Reminiscing about his childhood, Souta enters the udon restaurant and discovers a grimy young boy sleeping. At first, Souta thinks nothing of the chance encounter and provides the boy with food and clothing. However, to his surprise, the boy suddenly sprouts a furry pair of ears and a tail! Souta soon learns that the nameless boy is actually the rumored shapeshifting tanuki that has been inhabiting Kagawa for many years. Thinking that the boy has been living a lonely life, he decides to take him in and name him Poko. Udon no Kuni no Kiniro Kemari follows the heartwarming relationship between Souta and Poko, and through the time they spend together, Souta recalls his own past, the place he left behind for the city, and the relationship he had with his father. Wow, it manages to recycle ideas from all the notable previous childcare anime - Usagi Drop, Wolf Children, Sweetness and Lightning and even Barakamon. But there's a reason only Usagi Drop got masterpiece from me - it had a realistic and likeable protagonist. But this time protagonist is generic and surface-scratching so that he does not stand in the way of cuteness and liveliness - he's not genuine or trust-worthy. And all its tricks are evident to me, so I just can't enjoy this anime.    Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Fune wo Amu The Great Passage 舟を編む [Zexcs] (Finished 4/11) Tags: Adult Cast, Workplace Award Winning, Drama, Romance Kouhei Araki, a veteran editor of the dictionary editorial division at Genbu Publishing, plans to retire in order to better care for his ailing wife. However, before retiring, he must find a replacement to complete his latest project: a new dictionary called The Great Passage. But no matter where he looks, he cannot find anyone suitable, as making a dictionary requires a wealth of patience, time, and dedication. Mitsuya Majime works in Genbu Publishing's sales division, yet he has poor social skills and an inability to read the mood in most situations. In spite of this, he excels at having an enthusiasm for words thanks to his love of reading and careful personality. It is these skills that draw Araki to him and prompt him to offer Majime a position in the dictionary editorial department. As Majime accepts his new position, he finds himself unsure of his abilities and questioning whether he will fit in with his new co-workers. Yet amid the vast sea of words, The Great Passage will bring them together. A good SOL with a solid cast of adult characters. But seriously - publishing a dictionary? It's one of the most boring ideas that I can think of. Can't enjoy it as it has no real story, and I found no special treat in conversations.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Trickster: Edogawa Ranpo "Shounen Tanteidan" yori Trickster TRICKSTER -江戸川乱歩「少年探偵団」より- [TMS Entertainment, Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Detective, Psychological Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi Kogorou Akechi is the founder of a private investigation firm known as the Boy Detectives' Club. Together, this group takes on cases both great and small. One of their junior members, Kensuke Hanasaki, is out solving a case one day when he happens upon Yoshio Kobayashi, a mysterious amnesiac boy with an inability to die. After seeing his abilities in action, Kensuke offers Yoshio a deal: join the Boy Detectives' Club and help them solve cases, and in exchange he will find a way to help Yoshio die. The apathetic Yoshio accepts this deal begrudgingly, unaware of how different his life will become. Although he does not have much use for people, he gradually begins to acknowledge the group as he spends more time with them while solving cases. Trickster: Edogawa Ranpo "Shounen Tanteidan" yori follows Akechi and the rest of the Boy Detectives' Club as they solve the various cases they are given, all while combating a hidden threat from the shadows—"The Fiend with Twenty Faces." Detective mystery is not my thing at all.   Overall Rating: 5/10   20. All Out!! オールアウト!! [Madhouse, TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Seinen School, Team Sports Rugby is a sport where anybody can be a star when they hold the ball. The rules are simple: one player has to carry the ball past the goalposts across the field while avoiding the other team, who are allowed to use all their force to knock the enemy down. However, the player can pass to a teammate behind them or kick the ball before they are tackled. Unlike other sports, the game continues even when the person holding the ball is taken down. Kenji Gion is a short but feisty high school freshman at Kanagawa High School. Right after the school's opening ceremony, he meets the tall and timid Sumiaki Iwashimizu, and the two of them get an invitation to observe the rugby club. When Gion watches the match, he realizes that even though big and tall guys have an advantage, there are positions for people of all shapes and sizes. Immediately convinced that he has found a sport he can excel at despite his short stature, he signs up, though Iwashimizu declines. Gion is unable to accept Iwashimizu's excuses and drags him back into the sport. Their training becomes intense as they aim to become the champions of Hanazono, the national high school rugby championships. Don't really see seinen here, feels more like another shounen spokon. And I'm not willing to investigate further to find out for sure.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Bloodivores  [Creators in Pack, Namu Animation] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Survival, Vampire Action, Mystery, Supernatural 60 years ago, a strange case of insomnia struck the population, forcing them to stay awake for more than a full week. The victims, completely sleep deprived, all went mad. To cure this illness, a new medicine was produced, but the side effects turned the patients into vampires. Humanity went to war against this new species and triumphed, but some of the vampires managed to survive. Born from a Human and a Vampire, the main character Mi Liu, "The Child of Hope," is to represent the new hope that will connect the two species. Ringleader of a bank robbery, Mi Liu is arrested and transferred to a special prison of the National Defense Agency that monitors Vampires. Trying to break free with Anji, Mi Liu is attacked by strange monsters and he finds out that the prison location corresponds to the birthplace of Vampires, the old capital "Blue Town." Why are Vampires trapped in Blue Town? What are those strange monsters attacking them? Our heroes must fight to solve those mysteries. Feels like compilation of elements taken elsewhere and not fused together properly.   Overall Rating: 5/10   22. Gi(a)rlish Number Girlish Number ガーリッシュ ナンバー [Diomedéa] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Adult Cast, Showbiz Slice of Life College student Chitose Karasuma is determined not to do boring things as she enters the adult world. To this end, this bad-mannered beauty barges into a facility that trains would-be voice actors and actresses, somehow landing a job at "Number One Produce," a seiyuu agency managed by her older brother, Gojou. In Chitose's mind, she's poised for greatness, but finds herself at a loss when she continues to only get minor roles. As she clashes with other girls in the agency, including a cunning airhead and a girl with a Kansai accent, Chitose is about to learn that there's more to succeeding in this competitive industry than she imagined. In one profession SOL like this characters are the only thing that matters, and characters here are rather plain and typical.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. ViVid Strike!  [Seven Arcs Pictures] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Martial Arts Action, Drama The aggressive Fuuka Reventon often finds herself in fights as she struggles to make a living. One day, she gets into an altercation with gangsters that leaves her with injuries; luckily, martial arts champion Einhald Stratos finds Fuuka and brings her to a hospital. Seeing potential in Fuuka's skills, Einhald encourages the girl to become a martial arts athlete and offers her a job at Nakajima Gym, where Einhald trains. Despite the kind gesture, Fuuka initially declines the proposal due to the bad memories it brings. She was once childhood friends with the now prominent martial arts athlete Rinne Berlinetta, but the personality of her fellow orphan shifted from kind and gentle to cold and cruel after being adopted by a prosperous family and starting martial arts. Nonetheless, Fuuka soon accepts Einhald's offer and begins training under her—not only out of necessity but also out of the desire to defeat Rinne and make her realize how hurtful her behavior has become. Despite Fuuka's inexperience, Einhald and the other members of the gym have faith in her talent and efforts. It's just about duels with some personal drama. Not the kind of story I can appreciate.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru Touken Ranbu - Hanamaru 刀剣乱舞-花丸- [Doga Kobo] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Historical Action, Comedy, Fantasy  In the year 2205, a special sage known as Saniwa has the ability to breathe life into inanimate objects. At the same time, dark forces have initiated a plot to travel back in time and change the course of history—and the only ones capable of stopping them are the Saniwa and their strongest animations: historical Japanese swords, in the form of handsome young men. Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru opens on the life of Yamatonokami Yasusada, Souji Okita's beloved uchigatana, as he begins his first day at the Saniwa's citadel. Soon reuniting with his old friend, Kashuu Kiyomitsu, the two are caught up in the daily antics of their fellow sword warriors. They never miss an opportunity to have fun, whether it be through wild snowball fights or introducing their newest comrades to the citadel. Of course, when the government calls, the swords are always ready to fulfill their mission of protecting history. I don't care for otome games and their adaptations.   Overall Rating: 5/10   25. Cheating Craft チーティングクラフト [Blade] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Action, Comedy  In a world where academic success decides your entire future, the exam room becomes a ruthless battlefield. Passing the exams guarantees a successful future. Failing dooms you to live a cruel life, tormented by suffering and despair. Only the most intelligent—or cunning—students make it out alive. These are the two strategies of combat: spend your entire life studying for the test, or perfect your cheating strategy. The students who dedicate themselves to studying are called “Learning Type” students, and they are forced to collaborate with a “Cheating Type” student in order to battle their rivals for the top grades. The cheater Zhuge Mu Ming and studious academic Qiao Yi Huang decide to team up against the exams. However, the allies are soon divided, becoming bitter rivals. Will they be able to make it on their own? And if so, who will survive the challenge and emerge victorious? Such artificial setting with half length episodes can either be just silly as you expect it to be or something outstanding that you never expect. This one definitely goes into the first category.   Overall Rating: 5/10   26. To Be Hero  [Haoliners Animation League] (Finished 5/12) Tags: Comedy  For Uncle, a lecherous but handsome toilet designer, it is just an ordinary day of neglecting his duties as a single parent to hit on women and talk about his "superpower": his ability to tell a lady's hip size at a glance. But when he is sucked down into a toilet, the Space Peace Republic Alliance Hero Committee gives him real superpowers, and he becomes the hero of Earth. There is only one problem—he has become an ugly, unrecognizable fatty who is unable to reveal his real identity. Uncle's beloved daughter Min-chan does not believe that such a vulgar fatty could be her father, and casts him out of his own home. Distraught and homeless, he joins up with his perverted neighbor Yamada-san, a small man with a fondness for streaking, and sets out to convince Min-chan that he is her father. Full of sexual innuendo and slapstick humor, To Be Hero follows Uncle as he befriends bizarre allies and combats even more bizarre foes, fighting for the future of earth against aliens and—more importantly—his future with his daughter. Half-length episodes inevitably mean that it's random gags for comedy, and I don't like its humor.   Overall Rating: 6/10   27. Brave Witches 第502統合戦闘航空団 ブレイブウィッチーズ [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Military Action, Sci-Fi, Ecchi As humanity's war with the Neuroi—a mysterious, hostile alien race possessing weapons of unparalleled power—continues being fought across Europe and Africa, a new fighter squadron is formed. The 502nd Joint Fighter Wing, also known as the Brave Witches, operates on the eastern front, scouring the icy vastness of Orussia in search of alien invaders. However, one of the Brave Witches' members suffers severe injuries on her way to the squadron's headquarters, rendering her unable to participate in any operations. As a result, her sister, Hikari Karibuchi, volunteers to take her place. Though not possessing any special abilities or significant magical powers, she is determined to live up to the expectations of her new comrades and prove herself worthy of the name of a Witch. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Lostorage Incited WIXOSS  [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/12) Tags: High Stakes Game, Psychological, Strategy Game Suspense Having moved away due to family circumstances, Suzuko Homura returns to her hometown, nostalgic about the cheerful childhood she shared with Chinatsu Morikawa. Forever sealed with a promise of friendship, those days remain a bright memory to Suzuko, yet she has lost contact with Chinatsu during their time apart. Ready to start anew, Suzuko endeavors to put the past behind her and make new friends at school, but she struggles to do so. Meanwhile, Chinatsu is working multiple shifts to support her family as she continues her studies, and the mounting pressure to meet high expectations soon becomes overwhelming. Amid their respective situations, both girls begin playing the popular card game WIXOSS and discover that they have been chosen as Selectors—players whose memories are now represented by gold coins and must battle other Selectors to earn five of them. Guided by their LRIG avatar cards, which are created from the user's memories, the two learn that inconsistently partaking in duels or losing all their coins will result in a grim outcome. Resolved to protect what they hold dear, Suzuko and Chinatsu prepare for the battles ahead and fight for the chance to reclaim themselves. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Shakunetsu no Takkyuu Musume Scorching Ping Pong Girls 灼熱の卓球娘 [Kinema Citrus] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Sports In the world of Japanese ping pong, a mighty king has fallen. An underdog team suddenly breaks the indomitable Oudou Academy's nine year winning streak, creating a power vacuum as players everywhere are given hope that they too can reach the national tournament. Suzumegahara Middle School is home to a small-time team: Hanabi Tenka, who has a rapid attack style; Hokuto Itsumo, who can predict the ball's most likely path; Agari Kamiya, famous for her signature backhand smash; vice-captain Mune Oomune, who has an aggressive playstyle; and team captain Kiruka Ushirode, who possesses an impenetrable defense. Despite their skill at ping pong, the team has never made it further than the local city tournaments. But everything changes when transfer student Koyori Tsumujikaze arrives in town. Filled with an intense love of the game, she quickly makes a name for herself as another top player on the team. Koyori's positive attitude towards ping pong lights a fire in each of the girls' competitive hearts, and together they embark on a mission to win the national tournament. There's some tension, but I fail to care as it's half CGDCT with simpleton talks.   Overall Rating: 6/10   30. Stella no Mahou Magic of Stella ステラのまほう [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: CGDCT, School, Video Game Comedy Upon enrolling in high school, Tamaki Honda joins a club for making doujin games known as the SNS Club. Joined by programmer Shiina, writer Ayame, and composer Kayo, Tamaki begins working as an illustrator for the club's next game. Amateur game creation in the club is a lot worse than professional game creation in a company by adults. As a result it's awkward and quite plain.   Overall Rating: 6/10   31. Show By Rock!! # Show By Rock!! 2  [Bones] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Isekai, Music Comedy, Fantasy Metropolis of music, MIDICITY. A kitty girl wearing gothic lolita clothing named Cyan is scouted by Maple Arisugawa, the president of a music agency. From there, she meets Chuchu (a pun off of the sound that rabbits make) the honor student rabbit girl, a net geek dog girl named Retoree (from "Retriever"), and an alien sheep (?) girl named Moa. Together, they form the band named "Plasmagica," and aim for the top of the world. However, the path there is long and tough, and keeping in high spirits is important. By battling against other strange bands, Plasmagica slowly grows toward a top-grade band. In the end, they'll be a band that becomes the driving force of MIDICITY's music industry... Maybe? Gonna be a music millionaire! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   32. Long Riders! ろんぐらいだぁす！ [Actas] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen CGDCT Comedy, Sports Falling in love at first sight with a collapsible bicycle outside the station, Ami Kurata, first-year university student empties her account without a second thought and buys the bicycle. Now she enjoys weekend cycling trips with Aoi, her childhood friend, and Hinako, a senior at her university. "Owning a road bike may change your view of the world completely." Prompted by the comment, Ami purchased a road bike, and she is really impressed with the traveling performance. As soon as she places her feet on the pedals and presses down, everything about riding a road bicycle—the lightness of the pedal, the speed, the acceleration—is nothing like she has ever experienced. Ami's cycle life gets going with the new road cycle as her partner! CGDCT spokon failed to impress.   Overall Rating: 5/10   33. Soushin Shoujo Matoi Matoi the Sacred Slayer 装神少女まとい [ White Fox] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Supernatural  Matoi Sumeragi wishes for nothing more than to lead a normal life away from the spotlight. She is quite satisfied alternating between school and her part-time job at her best friend Yuma Kusanagi's family shrine. But this routine life is permanently disturbed when a Night—an evil extra-dimensional entity—attacks the shrine. Matoi is able to drive it off after unwittingly calling upon the powers of a god, the natural enemies of the Nights. Matoi and Yuma are soon joined by Claris Tonitolus, an experienced exorcist from the Vatican, and agent Haruka Luciela, who works for the secretive Night defense organization IATO. Despite not knowing the perpetrator behind these attacks nor their motive, Matoi must come to master this newfound power in order to protect both the people around her and the once normal life she holds so dear. Mahou shoujo that comes as close to normal SOL as possible, but has to react against threats. Story is too simple to catch the stars.   Overall Rating: 6/10   34. ClassicaLoid クラシカロイド [Sunrise] (Finished 3/25) Tags: Anthropomorphic, Music Comedy Ever since her father used up the last of the family fortune and skipped town, Kanae Otowa has lived in her family's ancestral mansion, Otowakan. With no way to pay off her father's debts, Otowakan is being foreclosed and Kanae must oust the remaining residents—her friend Sousuke Kagura, and two strange people who claim to be her father's acquaintances, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. After somehow being resurrected, Mozart and Beethoven have started going by "Motes" and "Beethes" respectively, and begun to indulge in a variety of idiotic, non-musical pursuits. While stubbornly refusing to leave Otowakan, Beethes unlocks the hidden power of Musik, saving Otowakan from demolition and delaying his eviction. With this discovery, other Musik users are drawn to Otowakan, including Frédéric Chopin, Franz Liszt, and Franz Schubert. However, not all Musik users have innocent desires. Across the city, the enigmatic Johann Sebastian Bach sits atop a tall building, plotting how to use his Musik. What I see is reverse harem in very strange environment.   Overall Rating: 5/10   35. Bubuki Buranki: Hoshi no Kyojin BBK/BRNK: The Gentle Giants of the Galaxy ブブキ・ブランキ 星の巨人 [SANZIGEN] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Mecha Action, Drama, Sci-Fi Sequel of Bubuki Buranki. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   36. Tiger Mask W タイガーマスクW [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/38) Tags: Shounen Action, Drama, Sports Two young wrestlers face each other in a recently revived underground wrestling organization, the Tiger's Lair, which destroyed the wrestling dojo they grew up in. One took over the training facilities of Naoto Date at the foot of Mount Fuji, as well as the mask he left behind. The other dared to enter the Tiger's Lair and won a fierce competition, receiving a jet-black tiger mask. One tiger walks the path of light, while the other walks the path of shadows. Neither one knows the other's face. On the ring, they are natural enemies, but they have the same purpose—destroy the Tiger's Lair! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   37. Soul Buster 侍霊演武[ソウルバスター] [Pierrot] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Samurai Action Keishuu, China. The history books say that in the era of the Three Kingdoms, this land was a place of never-ending war. A young high school boy, Sonshin, who hates his city's history, is troubled by a certain dream. When he wakes up from the dream, strange things begin to happen one after another, and without understanding what's going on, he suddenly finds himself facing Gien, one of the generals from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, who's trying to kill him! Just before Gien's blade strikes home, a mysterious beautiful woman appears in front of Sonshin. What trials await Sonshin, as he witnesses this terrible battle between two generals of the Three Kingdoms? Just half length episode reactive fighting action without any real interest.   Overall Rating: 5/10   38. 12-sai.: Chicchana Mune no Tokimeki 2nd Season 12歳。～ちっちゃなムネのトキメキ～  [OLM] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shoujo School Romance The story begins with Hanabi, a sixth-grade girl who is neither an adult nor a child. She deals with issues such as accidentally witnessing her homeroom teacher kissing, and worrying about experiencing physiological changes before her friends. The series depicts a 12-year-old girl's innocent worries and first love. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   39. Monster Hunter Stories: Ride On モンスターハンターストーリーズ RIDE ON [David Production] (Finished 2/75) Tags: Fantasy  This is a world where both men and monsters exist. Those who hunt the monsters are called Hunters. But in a small corner of the Hunter's world, there are those called Riders who bond with and coexist with monsters. With their Kizuna Ishi (Bonding Stones) that allow them to awaken the hidden power inside monsters, Riders live in secrecy together with their Otomon, the monsters they formed a connection with. Ryuto, a young boy living in the Rider village of Hakum, dreams of becoming the world's best Rider. Having just turned 12, he sets out to find his own Otomon for himself before the ceremony where he is given his own Kizuna Ishi. Together with his kind-hearted childhood friend Cheval, his inquisitive childhood friend Lilia, and his partner Naville, he sets out deep into the forest, and has a miraculous encounter with a Rathalos. Childish shounen around monster hunter world, not far from Digimons.   Overall Rating: 5/10   40. Idol Memories アイドルメモリーズ [Seven Arcs Pictures] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Idols (Female), Music  The story of Idol Memories is set in the near future, where live idol music performances in virtual reality have become commonplace. Against this backdrop, a pair of rival idol groups compete for the coveted "tiara," which represents the number one spot in the "Idol League." Average idol show, but over half of each already half-length episode is live talk of seiyu...   Overall Rating: 5/10   41. Koneko no Chi: Ponponra Daibouken Chi's Sweet Adventure こねこのチー ポンポンらー大冒険 [Marza Animation Planet] (Finished 2/51) Tags: Pets Slice of Life The combined 22nd and 23rd issue of Kodansha's Morning magazine, which will go on sale on April 28, has announced a new 3D CG anime of Kanata Konami's slice-of-life manga Chi's Sweet Home. Full CGI cat SOL.   Overall Rating: 5/10   42. Time Bokan 24 タイムボカン24 [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 1/24) Tags:  Mecha Adventure, Comedy Tokio is a junior high student living in the present time who is recruited to be a member of the 24th century's Space-Time Administration Bureau. Together with his partner Calen, their mission is to uncover the "True History", the part of history that the textbooks doesn't tell. But in their way is the Akudama Trio that intends to prevent the True History from being revealed for their own personal gains. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   43. Bishoujo Yuugi Unit Crane Game Girls Galaxy Crane Game Girls Galaxy 美少女遊戯ユニット クレーンゲールギャラクシー [Kyotoma] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Space, Strategy Game Comedy Second season of Bishoujo Yuugi Unit Crane Game Girls. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   44. Elsword: El-ui Yeoin 엘소드 엘의 여인 [DR Movie] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Action, Fantasy  Nexon recently announced an anime called Elsword: El Lady and will be done by DR Movie and written by NZ. Nothing else has been announced. Never played Elsword. But judging from story alone, anime is seriously subpar.   Overall Rating: 6/10   45. Guomin Laogong Dai Huijia 国民老公带回家 [B.CMAY PICTURES] (Finished 3/12) Tags: School Drama, Romance Lu Jin Nian and Qiao An Hao are a newly married couple—unfortunately, neither of them are willing participants. Now husband and wife, Qiao An Hao establishes a few ground rules: no one can know that they are married, their cohabitation is top-secret information, and under no circumstances is Lu Jin Nian permitted to touch her. As a result, their marriage remains strictly superficial. Behind their broken union, however, there is a long and complicated history. A chance encounter while seeking shelter from the rain led to the lives of Lu Jin Nian and Qiao An Hao getting intertwined. But as fate would have it, the date also marked the moment Qiao An Hao's sister fell madly in love with the stoic and mysterious Lu Jin Nian. With emotional stakes flying high, the years leading up to this marriage have been long and complicated—but never boring. And even now, despite their long-standing friendship, the newlyweds are no closer to understanding each other. Very awkward cliché romance with blush at every single action or word which makes it painful to watch.   Overall Rating: 5/10   46. Closers: Side Blacklambs 클로저스 : SIDE BLACKLAMBS [Studio Animal] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Strategy Game Fantasy After the invading dimensional monsters were beaten back, Seoul was rebuilt. This is the story of Closers in New Seoul. Mysterious dimensional gates opened all over the planet and unleashed a worldwide invasion of dimensional monsters. No monsters and tactics had any effect on the waves of dimensional monsters pouring out of the dimensional gates. City after city was mercilessly destroyed. But the opening of the dimensional gates did not only cause damage and destruction. The psychokinetic power that it awoke also enabled a tiny minority of humans to gain extraordinary psychic powers. With these psychic warriors, governments around the world were able to turn the tide of the war with these monsters. After unspeakable losses, the people of earth at least succeeded in closing the gates. Since they had closed the gates, these psychics began to be called "CLOSERS," and the invasion of the dimensional monsters was named the First Dimensional War. With the dimensional monsters vanquished, peace returned to the world, and the cities were rebuilt. Through dedicated research into the dimensional gates and psychokinetic power, humans learned that the gates open when there is a singularity in this mysterious power. However, their understanding of the gates was still incomplete. The CLOSERS who survived the First Dimensional War became part of an organization called UNION. Together, they researched the psychokinetic power in all over the world, working to prevent another dimensional war. And that's when the dimensional gates all over the world started shaking again - as ever stronger outbreed creatures renewed the attack on earth. Never played the game. Six not full episodes mostly present fighting action which is ok, not more.   Overall Rating: 6/10   47. CMFU Xueyuan: Wangzi Peng Peng Qiu CMFU学院：王子碰碰球 [Foch Films] (Finished 3/24) Tags: School Romance, Sports Qin Xiaolu is a problematic girl. Her parents divorced. She was raised by her grandmother. She went to work at a young age and later she started playing billiards. Now she is playing gambling and kidnapping becoming a superb female gangster. One day, Qin Xiaolu touching the porcelain, escapes from gangsters and it the end she blackmail a BMW owner. She didn't expect that the owner to be the prince of the CMFU Academy. Can't find anything good in this gambling spokon with a tomboy and usual for Chinese silly repeating things that are supposed to be funny or something.   Overall Rating: 5/10   48. Dongguo Xiaojie 东郭小节 [Haoliners Animation League] (Finished 2/15) Tags: Historical, Mythology Adventure, Supernatural Dongguo Xiaojie, a young girl, has lived together with her mother ever since she was little. On the year she turned sixteen, her mother suddenly contracted a "Grave Illness". To save her mother, Dongguo Xiaojie set foot into the unknown on a dangerous journey. Accompanying her on this journey is her sworn elder brother Mo Zixuan and the mysterious youth, Life's Hardship. However, danger arises again and again as they are continuously attacked by people they meet on their journey. Just what conspiracy is hidden behind this journey? One more wuxia, at least not CGI this time. Journey and reactivity mean no good. Result is average at best.   Overall Rating: 5/10   49. Junlin Chengxia The Man From; The Arrival of the Monarch 君临臣下 [Haoliners Animation League] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Comedy, Fantasy  In a day like any other, Cao Xiao Man's brother, Xiao Bei, is stabbed by a man after defending a mysterious girl. Due to the incident, and to buy medicine for his brother, Cao Xiao Man decides to earn money in a rather strange way: cross-dressing as a girl and seducing men. When he arrives to his client's house everything seems to go as planned, but the client soon discovers that Cao Xiao Man is, in fact, a boy. He decides to put Cao Xiao Man in a game where he is turned into a girl. In order for Cao Xiao Man to go back to being a boy he needs to complete the game and find the 7 Loyalties located all over the country. Some horrible trap game with terrible realization.   Overall Rating: 5/10   50. Shengsi Huifang 生死回放 [CG Year] (Finished 1/20) Tags: Mystery, Supernatural Young man Wei Sisi worked hard to support himself after losing all his memories. One day in an accident, he somehow obtained an ability with which he could see the memories of the dead. A series of events coming right after it made him aware that he had been involved into a well-designed conspiracy. His past was also gradually uncovered... Full CGI detective mystery is something I can't enjoy.   Overall Rating: 5/10   51. Qiang Ling Jihua 枪灵计划 [-] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Action, Comedy - Not translated. What I see is full CGI nonsense fighting action, no sense anyway.   Overall Rating: 5/10   52. Nengli Youxian Gongsi 能力有限公司 [-] (Finished 0/12) Tags: Comedy - Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   53. Kubikiri Cycle: Aoiro Savant to Zaregotozukai The Kubikiri Cycle クビキリサイクル 青色サヴァンと戯言遣い [Shaft] (Finished 1/8) Tags: Drama, Mystery, Supernatural Due to a mysterious disease, the genius Iria Akagami has been forced by her family to stay in a mansion on the isolated Wet Crow's Feather Island with only a handful of maids. To keep herself entertained, Iria invites a variety of fellow geniuses to stay as guests in her home, including computer savant Tomo Kunagisa and her unnamed assistant, skilled fortune-teller Maki Himena, famous artist Kanami Ibuki, academic scholar Akane Sonoyama, and renowned cook Yayoi Sashirono. These visits progress as normal until one of the guests is found gruesomely murdered in the night without a single clue as to the identity of the killer or a possible motive. Tensions rise between those on the island as the killer remains at large, and Tomo's assistant takes it upon himself to uncover the culprit's identity before the murderous events progress any further. Detective mindscrew mystery...   Overall Rating: 5/10   54. Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni In This Corner of the World この世界の片隅に [MAPPA] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Historical Award Winning, Drama Suzu Urano is a pure and kindhearted girl who loves to draw and keep her head in the clouds. Growing up in the outskirts of Hiroshima with her family, she is more than happy to help with her grandmother's nori business. However, when she becomes of age, Suzu leaves her beloved home to marry Shuusaku Houjou, a man she barely knows. As she integrates into her new husband's household, the homesick bride struggles to adjust to the unfamiliar environment as the war effort extends far beyond its point of no return. When the war reaches Suzu's own backyard and peace gives way to brutality, how will she support herself and those she comes to love along the way? Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni paints a colorful yet haunting depiction of everyday life in the years before and after World War II, showcasing the perseverance and fortitude of ordinary Japanese during one of the darkest periods of modern history. Again auto-biography, very lousy and brainless SOL followed by war hardships... nothing outstanding here for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   55. Suki ni Naru Sono Shunkan wo. Kokuhaku Jikkou Iinkai The Moment You Fall in Love 好きになるその瞬間を。～告白実行委員会～ [Qualia Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: School Comedy, Drama, Romance Following Natsuki Enomoto's confession rehearsals with Yuu Setoguchi, their younger siblings Kotarou and Hina struggle to confess their own love. Despite a disastrous first meeting in middle school with her upperclassman Koyuki Ayase, Hina’s heart is captured by his warm smile. Initially confused by these newfound feelings, Hina soon realizes that she has fallen in love for the very first time. Chasing after her brother Yuu and her crush Koyuki, Hina also enrolls in Sakuragaoka High School; but the threads of love are far-reaching, and they entangle Hina and her friends. Boisterous but sensitive, Hina hopes to confess her feelings to the tender-hearted Koyuki. Meanwhile, Kotarou, oblivious to his own feelings for her, is determined to always keep Hina smiling. Suki ni Naru Sono Shunkan wo.: Kokuhaku Jikkou linkai follows Hina, Kotarou, and Koyuki in high school. Their youthful love forges new relationships, but also threatens to break others. The key word here is "moment" as after typical school SOL it happens momentarily and spontaneously. Trying to push it all in less than hour length work was futile from the start.   Overall Rating: 6/10   56. Gantz:O  [Digital Frontier] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Gore, High Stakes Game, Psychological, Survival Action, Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi Death does not have to be the end; one can live again, but only through beating the game posed by the black ball called Gantz. On his way home to celebrate his younger brother's birthday, brave and kind-hearted student named Masaru Katou is stabbed to death. He awakes in a small room with a cityscape view in the heart of Tokyo—and he is not alone. To his surprise, it is not the afterlife, but the waiting room for a high stakes game with their lives on the line. Before he has the chance to process the situation, Masaru is handed a gun and teleported into the center of Osaka to carry out one simple task: eliminate any alien on sight. Accompanied by the aged Yoshikazu Suzuki, the stunning idol Reika Shimohira, and the cold but experienced Jouichirou Nishi, Masaru must overcome his fears in order to survive the game and return home to his waiting brother. I enjoy Gantz:O immensely even though it's full CGI. The scale of Osaka team blows my mind. A very memorable journey for every Gantz fan.   Overall Rating: 8/10   57. Chain Chronicle: Haecceitas no Hikari Part 1 Chain Chronicle: The Light of Haecceitas Part 1 チェインクロニクル〜ヘクセイタスの閃（ひかり）〜 第１章 [Telecom Animation Film, Graphinica] (Finished 1/1) 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... It feels that anime is based on a game as there's a vivid fantasy world with interesting looking characters, but story is overshadowed by action. At the same time, no real exposition is given, so it becomes a chaotic whirlpool of events. It's only four episodes and not a finished story, so it's too early to make conclusions here, but so far I'm not impressed.   Overall Rating: 6/10   58. Pop in Q ポッピンQ [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Isekai, Music Fantasy The story begins the day before the graduation ceremony. Five middle school girls each are preoccupied with their real everyday lives. These girls meet each other in a fantasy world after being sent there through a sudden occurrence. There, they learn about the impending crisis that this world is facing. The way to avert this crisis is for the five to collaborate and bring their five hearts together as one through dance. However, the five cannot come to love the world, and cannot tell their true feelings to one another, so their hearts are unable to unite. The time limit is fast approaching. Can the dance of the five girls save the world? And will they be able to graduate? There has been no shortage of mahou shoujo duels or vocaloid CGI dances recently. This movie has all that and nothing special to stand out.   Overall Rating: 5/10   59. Joleobban The Senior Class 졸업반 [Studio Dadashow] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adult Cast, Visual Arts Drama, Romance Joo-hee, a perfect student and the hottest girl in school, is majoring in pure arts and dreams of going to France. She's a role model for everyone as she is beautiful and talented. Jeong-woo, her fellow schoolmate and a web-toon writer wannabe, and has a crush on Joo-hee but he doesn't dare approach her. One day, Jeong-woo finds out that Joo-hee is a student by day, but a "ten-pro" call girl at night. They become close now that they share a secret. Materially and emotionally, Jeong-woo helps Joo-hee as she wants to graduate with lots of money and with high grades. However, Jeong-woo's first girlfriend, Dong-hwa, also finds out about Joo-hee's secret, leading to all sorts of rumors and X-files about Joo-hee spreading. It's what I call hentai with a plot, and actually, a good one. Not that I call any hentai a masterpiece...   Overall Rating: 6/10
  20. 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
  21. 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
  22. kivandopulus
    Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e is a great crafty series. Made in Abyss goes only slightly behind. Knight's & Magic is a curious small, but surprisingly enjoyable thing.    1. Kakegurui 賭ケグルイ  [MAPPA] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen High Stakes Game, Psychological, School, Strategy Game Drama, Mystery Unlike many schools, attending Hyakkaou Private Academy prepares students for their time in the real world. Since many of the students are the children of the richest people in the world, the academy has its quirks that separate it from all the others. By day, it is a normal school, educating its pupils in history, languages, and the like. But at night, it turns into a gambling den, educating them in the art of dealing with money and manipulating people. Money is power; those who come out on top in the games stand at the top of the school. Yumeko Jabami, a seemingly naive and beautiful transfer student, is ready to try her hand at Hyakkaou's special curriculum. Unlike the rest, she doesn't play to win, but for the thrill of the gamble, and her borderline insane way of gambling might just bring too many new cards to the table. So the most popular anime this season is... this... mystery, silly ahegao, horrible gambling games, slavery, maniacs - everything is as I like it! Probably the worst gambling show that I've seen, and I've seen Mahjong Hishouden: Naki no Ryuu.   Overall Rating: 5/10   2. Made in Abyss メイドインアビス [Kinema Citrus] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Gore, Survival Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi The Abyss—a gaping chasm stretching down into the depths of the earth, filled with mysterious creatures and relics from a time long past. How did it come to be? What lies at the bottom? Countless brave individuals, known as Divers, have sought to solve these mysteries of the Abyss, fearlessly descending into its darkest realms. The best and bravest of the Divers, the White Whistles, are hailed as legends by those who remain on the surface. Riko, daughter of the missing White Whistle Lyza the Annihilator, aspires to become like her mother and explore the furthest reaches of the Abyss. However, just a novice Red Whistle herself, she is only permitted to roam its most upper layer. Even so, Riko has a chance encounter with a mysterious robot with the appearance of an ordinary young boy. She comes to name him Reg, and he has no recollection of the events preceding his discovery. Certain that the technology to create Reg must come from deep within the Abyss, the two decide to venture forth into the chasm to recover his memories and see the bottom of the great pit with their own eyes. However, they know not of the harsh reality that is the true existence of the Abyss. Great memorable show. Still have not seen sequel that I'm looking forward to.   Overall Rating: 8/10   3. Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e Classroom of the Elite ようこそ実力至上主義の教室へ [Lerche] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Psychological, School Drama On the surface, Koudo Ikusei Senior High School is a utopia. The students enjoy an unparalleled amount of freedom, and it is ranked highly in Japan. However, the reality is less than ideal. Four classes, A through D, are ranked in order of merit, and only the top classes receive favorable treatment. Kiyotaka Ayanokouji is a student of Class D, where the school dumps its worst. There he meets the unsociable Suzune Horikita, who believes she was placed in Class D by mistake and desires to climb all the way to Class A, and the seemingly amicable class idol Kikyou Kushida, whose aim is to make as many friends as possible. While class membership is permanent, class rankings are not; students in lower ranked classes can rise in rankings if they score better than those in the top ones. Additionally, in Class D, there are no bars on what methods can be used to get ahead. In this cutthroat school, can they prevail against the odds and reach the top? I hardly ever use 9 score for new titles, but when I thought what I'd call a 9, Classroom of the Elite came to mind, in other words a great intelligent show with clever mind tricks that I still can't call a perfect masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 9/10   4. Tsurezure Children Tsuredure Children 徒然チルドレン [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen School Comedy, Romance Young love—it takes many unique and fascinating forms that flourish as children begin to mature into adults. From being unable to confess to not knowing what real love actually feels like, various obstacles can arise when learning about romantic attraction for the first time. But underneath all that, young love is something truly beautiful to behold, leading to brand new experiences for those young and in love. Tsurezure Children depicts various scenarios of young love coming to fruition, along with the struggles and joys that it entails. Half-length episodes and romance between multiple pairs don't make this anime enticing. Neither concept, nor execution can satisfy me.   Overall Rating: 5/10   5. Gamers! ゲーマーズ！ [PINE JAM] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Love Polygon, Otaku Culture, School, Video Game Comedy, Romance Keita Amano is a typical high school gamer living out an average student's life. One day, however, he has an unexpected meeting with the cutest girl in school that makes him want to disappear without a trace! This girl, Karen Tendou, is an exemplary student who is proclaimed to be the school's idol. She discovers that Amano is a gamer, and this newfound knowledge incites a passionate desire within her to recruit him into the game club. Upon visiting the club, Amano is forcefully made aware of a side to gaming wildly different than the one he loves so dearly. Tendou's interest in Amano begins shaking up what was once an uneventful life, filling it with spontaneity, awkwardness, and a little bit of mayhem. As a result, every day becomes a comical battle for Amano's sanity as he tries to adapt to these wild, unexpected changes. I'm very favorable towards anime about gaming, but this one is seriously flawed due to lack of story and poor characters (especially protagonist). Dropped it before and not feeling any attachment now as well.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Isekai wa Smartphone to Tomo ni. In Another World With My Smartphone 異世界はスマートフォンとともに。 [Production Reed] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem, Isekai, Reincarnation Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance In a thoughtless blunder, God accidentally strikes down Touya Mochizuki with a stray bolt of lightning! As an apology, God offers him one wish and the chance to live again in a magical fantasy world. Touya happily accepts the offer and, for his one wish, asks only to keep his smartphone with him as he begins his journey into this mysterious world. Starting over in this new world, Touya finds it is filled with magic—which he has an affinity for—and cute girls vying for his attention. These girls—the twins Linze and Elze Silhoueska, Yumina Urnea Belfast, Leen, and Yae Kokonoe—provide Touya with no end of romantic frustrations, but also companionship as he discovers the secrets of this new world. Isekai genre just can't fail if it has a mature intelligent protagonist. And it's not the case for this anime as main character is generic harem trash one like in majority of harems out there.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Hajimete no Gal My First Girlfriend is a Gal はじめてのギャル [NAZ] (Finished 3/10) Tags: Shounen Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Following a prank pulled by his perverse friends, Junichi Hashiba asks a gal out in an attempt to change the fact that he's a hopeless virgin. Yukana Yame, the girl in question, is disgusted by Junichi's groveling. However, through a series of teasing remarks, she soon finds herself bonding with him and ultimately accepting Junichi's confession, much to his surprise. Hajimete no Gal follows Junichi as he overcomes his lack of self-confidence and suppresses his sexual urges, all while thrust into a whole new school life full of lively girls and unpredictable mayhem. First of all, it's harem with petty protagonist. Next, characters aren't really likable. The approach is direct and unfun, so there's just no charm to care or go on.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Aho Girl AHO-GIRL アホガール [Diomedéa] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen School Comedy, Romance Yoshiko Hanabatake is an idiot beyond all belief. Somehow managing to consistently score zeroes on all of her tests and consumed by an absurd obsession with bananas, her senseless acts have caused even her own mother to lose all hope. Only one person is up to the task of keeping her insanity in check: childhood friend Akuru "A-kun" Akutsu. Though he bemoans the ridiculous behavior he has to endure, the studious but terrifying A-kun is always ready to put an end to any stupidity Yoshiko gets up to, with no qualms about using physical force. Unfortunately, no matter how many times he attempts to knock some sense into her, the girl bounces right back to her usual shenanigans, even dragging in some other eccentrics along for the ride. Try as he might to rein in her nonsense, every moment is unpredictable with Yoshiko and her profound idiocy on the loose. Half-length episodes literally about an idiot, so humor is corresponding. Episode is usually divided in multiple separate yonkoma parts, like ten. Sometimes it's ok, but most of the time it's really silly. Overall can't say it's suitable for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Fate/Apocrypha  [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural  The Holy Grail is a powerful, ancient relic capable of granting any wish the beholder desires. In order to obtain this power, various magi known as "masters" summon legendary Heroic Spirits called "servants" to fight for them in a destructive battle royale—the Holy Grail War. Only the last master-servant pair standing may claim the Grail for themselves. Yet, the third war ended inconclusively, as the Grail mysteriously disappeared following the conflict. Many years later, the magi clan Yggdmillennia announces its possession of the Holy Grail, and intends to leave the Mage's Association. In response, the Association sends 50 elite magi to retrieve the Grail; however, all but one are killed by an unknown servant. The lone survivor is used as a messenger to convey Yggdmillennia's declaration of war on the Association. As there are only two parties involved in the conflict, the Holy Grail War takes on an unusual form. Yggdmillennia and the Mage's Association will each deploy seven master-servant pairs, and the side that loses all its combatants first will forfeit the artifact. As the 14 masters summon their servants and assemble on the battlefield, the magical world shivers in anticipation with the rise of the Great Holy Grail War. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Koi to Uso Love and Lies 恋と嘘 [LIDENFILMS] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Love Polygon, School Drama, Romance In a futuristic society, Japan has implemented a complex system referred to as "The Red Threads of Science" to encourage successful marriages and combat increasingly low birthrates. Based on a compatibility calculation, young people at the age of 16 are assigned marriage partners by the government, with severe repercussions awaiting those who disobey the arrangement. For Yukari Nejima, a teen that considers himself average in every way, this system might be his best shot at living a fulfilling life. However, spurred by his infatuation for his classmate and long-time crush, Misaki Takasaki, Yukari defies the system and confesses his love. After some initial reluctance, Misaki reciprocates his feelings in a moment of passion. Unfortunately, before the two can further their relationship, Yukari receives his marriage notice. He is then thrown into a confusing web of love and lies when his less-than-thrilled assigned partner, Ririna Sanada, becomes fascinated with his illicit romance. Not fond of fake engagement/marriage stories and destined spouse. All this naivete of no one knowing how love feels makes it even more clumsy.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Owarimonogatari 2nd Season Owarimonogatari Second Season 終物語 [Shaft] (Finished 1/7) Tags: Vampire Comedy, Mystery, Supernatural Following an encounter with oddity specialist Izuko Gaen, third-year high school student Koyomi Araragi wakes up in a strange, deserted void only to be greeted by a joyfully familiar face in an alarmingly unfamiliar place. Araragi, with the help of his girlfriend Hitagi Senjougahara, maneuvers through the webs of his past and the perplexities of the present in search of answers. However, fate once again delivers him to the eccentric transfer student Ougi Oshino, who brings forth an unexpected proposal that may unearth the very foundation to which he is anchored. As Araragi peels back the layers of mystery surrounding an apparition, he discovers a truth not meant to be revealed. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Ballroom e Youkoso Welcome to the Ballroom ボールルームへようこそ [Production I.G] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shounen Performing Arts Sports Tatara Fujita is a shy middle schooler who has no particular plan for the future. He has gotten through life by avoiding any kind of confrontation and blending in with the crowd. But blending in isn't enough to get out of trouble, as some bullies harass him for money. Luckily, he is saved by a man named Kaname Sengoku. Kaname invites Tatara to his dance studio. Although he would normally never set foot in such a place, Tatara is captivated by Sengoku's commanding presence. Granted an opportunity to dance with fellow classmate Shizuku Hanaoka—who often practices at the studio—Tatara realizes there's something about the idea of being put in the limelight and dancing where people will see him that keeps him coming back. With an earnest, passionate drive to improve, Tatara begins his journey into the world of competitive dance. Seems to be homage to Shall We Dance movie. Anyway, I don't find performing sports interesting at all, more like useless and harmful, so not feeling anything towards it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Knight's & Magic ナイツ&マジック [8bit] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Isekai, Mecha, Reincarnation, School Action, Fantasy Having died in a car accident, Tsubasa Kurata—an otaku from modern Japan—is reborn in the Fremmevilla Kingdom, a medieval world where powerful mechs called Silhouette Knights are used to fight horrific demonic beasts. Born into a noble family under the name of Ernesti Echevarria and bestowed with prodigious magical abilities, he enrolls into Royal Laihaila Academy. This school of magic trains young men and women on how to pilot the Silhouette Knights, prepping them to protect the kingdom from threats, both demonic and human. Ernesti teams up with the twins named Adeltrud and Archid Olter with the goal to create his own Silhouette Knight one day, a feat unheard of for several centuries. Mature protagonist is always a plus in isekai. I remember watching it and enjoying development of different classes of mecha, their upgrades and their strategical use in battles. But I've never remembered about this anime since. And story is just reactions to someone attacking. I still consider it good and enjoyable anime, so can't deny it a small masterpiece status.   Overall Rating: 7/10   14. New Game!!  [Doga Kobo] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Adult Cast, CGDCT, Otaku Culture, Workplace Comedy It has been a year since Aoba Suzukaze started working at the Eagle Jump game company. In that time, she and her eccentric coworkers in the character design department have worked hard to release the company's newest game: Fairies Story 3. With their latest title now complete, a new project must begin—starting with a contest to decide the character designs for the upcoming game. Through hard work, dedication, and some guidance from the previous character designer, Kou Yagami, Aoba wins the contest and begins her new role as lead character designer. However, her new job is not an easy one. In addition to having extra work and longer hours, Aoba questions whether she is the right fit for the job. As she overcomes her inexperience with the help of her friends and coworkers, Aoba is willing to face any challenge to make Eagle Jump's newest creation, a cutesy game called Peco. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Isekai Shokudou Restaurant to Another World 異世界食堂 [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Isekai, Workplace Fantasy, Gourmet, Slice of Life  Western Restaurant Nekoya is a popular eatery located on a street corner in a Tokyo shopping district. Serving both traditional Japanese fare as well as Western dishes, this eating establishment is popular among Tokyo's residents. But this seemingly ordinary restaurant is also popular with another type of clientele... While the restaurant is thought to be closed on Saturdays, the truth is that on this special day each week, its doors are instead opened to the inhabitants of other worlds. From dragons and elves to fairies and mages, this restaurant has no shortage of strange customers. Nevertheless, the enigmatic chef known only as "Master" will be waiting to serve up their favorite dishes with a kind smile and keep them coming back for many more Saturdays to come. Can't appreciate gourmet shows. Guess Souma was an exception, because it focused only partly on being gourmet.   Overall Rating: 5/10   16. Princess Principal プリンセス・プリンシパル [Actas, Studio 3Hz] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Historical Action, Mystery In the early 20th century, the discovery of the substance Cavorite allowed the production of advanced military technology and steered the country toward conflict. London is now divided by a wall, and the Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Albion battle a silent war where espionage is the only weapon that can destabilize the enemy. A group of girls from the prestigious Queen's Mayfaire school work as undercover spies for the Commonwealth. Led by Dorothy, an experienced driver with a striking personality, their group includes the talents of Ange le Carré, a cold-blooded liar and expert sharpshooter; Chise, a proficient samurai; and Beatrice, a voice-mimicking specialist. They use their unique individual skills for the Commonwealth to survive in a dark world filled with conspiracy, mystery, and infiltration. In the shadow of the war, they have only one goal in mind: completing their mission. Spies, turn of 19th century and especially mystery is a poor combination. I remember it being a huge deliberate mess that I can' enjoy, and restarting it brings all the poor memories about it back.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Keppeki Danshi! Aoyama-kun Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun 潔癖男子！青山くん [Studio Hibari] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Gag Humor, School, Team Sports Comedy, Sports He is charming, cool, athletic, a good cook, but more importantly, he's a clean freak. Aoyama is idolized and respected by everyone, but they can only admire him from afar due to his mysophobia. Despite that, he plays soccer—a rather dirty sport! As the playmaker for Fujimi High School's soccer club, Aoyama avoids physical contact at all cost and cleanly dribbles toward victory. However, the path to Nationals will not be easy for Fujimi's underdog team. But alongside striker Kaoru Zaizen, Aoyama will show everyone that even as a clean freak, there are things he's willing to get dirty for. It's soccer, so whatever, not feeling involved.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Netsuzou TRap Netsuzou Trap -NTR- 捏造トラップ―NTR― [Creators in Pack] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Drama, Girls Love High school students Yuma Okazaki and Hotaru Mizushina are childhood friends. With their respective boyfriends, Takeda and Fujiwara, their lives couldn't be more perfect. From playing in school to going on group dates, it seems nothing can break their bond. However, during one such group date, Hotaru makes an unexpected move. While Takeda and Fujiwara are distracted, she begins stroking Yuma's thighs. Taken aback by this peculiar action, Yuma awkwardly retreats to the toilets, followed shortly by her aggressor. Now in private, Hotaru forces the innocent Yuma into a locked cubicle and whispers into her ear: "You'll be more nervous with a boy; I'll help you practice." As usual, I need some comedy to enjoy yuri.   Overall Rating: 5/10   19. Katsugeki/Touken Ranbu Katsugeki Touken Ranbu 活撃／刀剣乱舞 [ufotable] (Finished 3/13)   Tags: Historical, Samurai Action, Fantasy In 1863, Izuminokami Kanesada and his partner, Horikawa Kunihiro, arrive in the streets of Edo from the future to investigate their master's reports of an upcoming enemy invasion. As humanoid manifestations of the famous Toshizou Hijikata's swords, they have been tasked with protecting history from the Retrograde Army that seeks to alter it. Soon enlisting the help of other sword warriors, they continuously battle the mysterious army throughout the Bakumatsu period. However, their journey will not be an easy one. Fraught with blood and betrayal in the chaotic era closest to their hearts, the duo will be forced to make difficult decisions with everything they care about on the line. So super agents with talking AI camouflaged for an animal travel in time to samurai times to protect shoguns from monsters out of space-time distortions and prevent history from changing... who in the world read that and considered that an interesting stage... It means zero story and zero interesting antagonists. Seeing how it's based on some poor game answers this question, but does not add points for sure.   Overall Rating: 5/10   20. Konbini Kareshi Convenience Store Boy Friends コンビニカレシ [Pierrot] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Romance  The lives of high school freshmen Haruki Mishima and Towa Honda revolve around studying, clubs, and girls. Amid their hectic routines, romance is certainly budding for the two best friends. Since childhood, Haruki has been pining over Miharu Mashiki, and a chance encounter at the convenience store reignites his feelings. As for Towa, the class representative Mami Mihashi has caught his eye; but unfortunately for him, his affections are not reciprocated. While Haruki's more reserved approach to pursuing Miharu contrasts Towa's persistence with Mami, love seems to be elusive for both. As the months fly by, only time will tell if romance is in the cards for the duo. Some seriously boring romance between two couples, and with ridiculously stupid and artificial drama. Since it failed to capture attention over two episodes, see no reason to go on.   Overall Rating: 5/10   21. Centaur no Nayami A Centaur's Life セントールの悩み [Haoliners Animation League] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen School Fantasy, Slice of Life Himeno is a sweet, shy little centaur girl. In her world, everyone seems to be a supernatural creature, and all her classmates have some kind of horns, wings, tails, halos, or other visible supernatural body part. Despite their supernatural elements, Himeno and her best friends, Nozomi and Kyouko, have a fun and mostly normal daily school life! The beast anime about beast girls that I know. But main problem for me is that it lacks comedy. Investigating beast girls SOL is often funny, but some segments are are not, and after them I feel puzzled why I watched that at all.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Shoukoku no Altair Altair: A Record of Battles 将国のアルタイル [MAPPA] (Finished 4/24) Tags: Shounen Historical, Military Adventure, Drama, Fantasy Tuğrul Mahmut is a young pasha serving on the Divan of the Türkiye Stratocracy. The clouds of war are gathering over his country due to the threat of an aggressive Empire. With the Divan split between warmongers and the pacifists, Mahmut begins his quest to keep the peace at any cost. As he finds himself deeper and deeper in the politics of the ancient world, new enemies and allies surface. Who will prevail? What will Mahmut do if war proves to be inevitable? And I thought Arslan Senki was boring. It tried to remain fantasy and had some plot, at least. Altair, in comparison, deviates from fantasy towards barbaric Turkie history, which results in spam of toponyms and names and terms. I don't see plot here -  it's literally record as events pass by and everyone tries to survive or gain something or act morally in some cases. Arslan Senki at least had some nice battles. There's hardly anything in Altair to pique interest.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Nana Maru San Batsu Fastest Finger First ナナマル サンバツ [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen School, Strategy Game As soon as he entered high school, the first year student Koshiyama Shiki was invited to the mysterious Quiz Study Group led by his senpai. What will Shiki run into when being dragged along by his class mate Mari into the dazzling world of competitive quizzes?! Puzzles and quizzes issue rejection reaction within me. I treat them as obligatory evil in games as long as it does not become obnoxious. But watching an entire anime about quizzes is a small torture.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Jikan no Shihaisha Chronos Ruler 時間の支配者 [Project No.9] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Shounen Action, Supernatural  Like many in her class, Koyuki Honda looks forward to her graduation ceremony. However, while her peers have family to attend, Koyuki has no one, as her only family—her brother—died years ago. While visiting his grave, she meets two brothers named Kiri and Victor Putin chasing a strange creature. They try to assure her that they are just actors shooting a movie; Victor, however, piques Koyuki's curiosity about the old legend of the clock tower at the cemetery: if you make a wish under the clock tower at midnight during a full moon, time will turn back, allowing someone to reclaim what they have lost. Deciding to make her wish, Koyuki learns the horrifying truth: the legend is a ruse for time demons called "Horologues" to steal humans' time. As they are drawn to regrets, Victor uses Koyuki as bait to lure a demon there. Kiri and Victor explain that they are Chronos Rulers, warriors who fight against the Horologues using the "Oath of Time"—an item allowing them to speed up or slow down time. With the demon destroyed and the crisis averted, Koyuki is able to go on her way free from regrets. However, she is not the only human with sorrows. The two boys must continue to hunt down Horologues in order to keep humanity safe. The essence is of generic action shounen with superowers.   Overall Rating: 5/10   25. Youkai Apartment no Yuuga na Nichijou Elegant Yokai Apartment Life 妖怪アパートの幽雅な日常 [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 3/26) Tags: Mythology, School Slice of Life, Supernatural Inaba Yuushi's parents died in his first year of middle school, and he moved in with his relatives. Though they did care for him, he could tell he was a burden. After he graduated, he happily prepared to move to a high school with a dormitory. Unfortunately, the dormitory burned to the ground before he could move in! Yuushi doesn't want to live with his grudging relatives, but it's rough finding lodging as an orphaned student with little money. He finally finds a room in a nice old building which seems too good to be true. The catch is that it is a Monster House, a place where humans and supernatural creatures—ghosts, mononoke, etc.—live together. Another high schooler lives there, a cute girl named Akine, and she's completely unfazed by the monsters. In fact, she can even exorcise evil spirits! Yuushi's high school life just got much stranger than he ever bargained for! Boring SOL with no story or development, and I see opportunity to like any of the characters let alone youkai.   Overall Rating: 5/10   26. Tenshi no 3P! Angel's 3Piece! 天使の3P！〈スリーピース〉 [Project No.9] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Music, School  Since entering high school, Kyou Nukui has not attended a single class. Instead, he spends his days locked in his bedroom composing music and posting it on the internet accompanied by his only friend's drawings, an artist with the pseudonym "Kiriyume." One day, Kyou hesitantly uploads his newest composition, and first departure from his typical style, TR03. Additionally, he does not upload under his usual handle "HibikiP," but simply under the name "me," and without a drawing from his mysterious friend. Shortly after, Kyou receives a very polite email, not only praising his music but also somehow discerning that he is, in fact, the composer behind TR03. The e-mail also asks for a meetup in a nearby park, to which he cautiously decides to go. To his surprise, however, he finds three elementary school girls at the meeting place! Suddenly, Jun Gotou, Nozomi Momijidani, and Sora Kaneshiro ask for his help to hold a concert in their home, an old church now used as an orphanage. And though Kyou is reluctant at first, after seeing their musical abilities, he eventually decides to accept their proposal. Based on the light novel of the same name by the award-winning Sagu Aoyama, Tenshi no 3P! follows Kyou as these three angels change his life. Beginning is unusual, but then it becomes very ordinary. Generic cute girls, typical songs and interactions.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Jigoku Shoujo: Yoi no Togi Hell Girl: Fourth Twilight 地獄少女 宵伽 [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/6) Tags: Psychological Horror, Mystery, Supernatural  If you have a grudge against someone, you can access the Hell Correspondence website at the stroke of midnight, type in your grudge's name, and the Hell Girl, Ai Enma, will appear to grant your wish. However, the price for ridding yourself of such a burden is a steep one: in return for condemning the soul of your tormentor to Hell, your soul will also face eternal damnation. In her long vigil as the Hell Girl, Ai has met many willing to pay such a cost. In Jigoku Shoujo: Yoi no Togi, Ai and her enigmatic companions continue to carry out their work, ferrying soul after suffering soul into the depths of Hell. However, as of late, a mysterious girl has been following them. This strange child, unable to even remember her own identity, questions Ai about her duty as the Hell Girl. Who is this girl, and what connection does she have to Ai? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. 18if  [Gonzo] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Mystery, Supernatural  Waking up in a strange bedroom in a dream world, teenager Haruto Tsukishiro finds a strange app on his phone. When he activates the program, an odd woman appears and tries to drag him to her realm. Luckily, a mysterious, white-haired girl severs their connection and helps him escape, revealing that the woman is a witch; however, their conversation is cut short. As Haruto enters the realm again, he meets an anthropomorphic, talking cat named Katsumi Kanzaki. While the witch's minions pursue them, the white-haired girl opens a door for them to escape. After their ordeal, Haruto describes their savior—which only he can see—and Katsumi, the leading authority on dream world research, realizes that she must be "Lily," a being that resurfaces repeatedly across multiple dreamscapes. Hoping to leave the dream world through a blue door, they enter the witch's realm once again. Finding themselves in peril, Lily reveals the truth to Haruto: witches suffer from "Sleeping Beauty Syndrome," a coma-like sleep state induced by torment in their real world lives. Thus, they cannot wake until they are defeated in the dream world. After finally defeating the witch and locating the blue door, Haruto and Katsumi say their farewells, promising to meet up in the real world. However, when Haruto exits through the door, he awakens in the dream world bedroom once more. Seeking answers, Haruto and Katsumi try to uncover the mysteries of the witches, Lily, and Haruto's own inability to leave the dream world. It's pretty much an anthology as episodes are very different. I may be loosely connected somehow in a weird twist as in any mystery, but I don't care.   Overall Rating: 5/10   29. Dive!!  [Zero-G] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Comedy, Sports  The series revolves around the Mizuki Diving Club (MDC), which is on the verge of closing down after having financial troubles. The club's new coach persuades the club's parent company to stay open on one condition: that the club sends one of its members to next year's Olympics as part of Japan's Olympic team. For those who like Free!!.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Vatican Kiseki Chousakan Vatican Miracle Examiner バチカン奇跡調査官 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Drama, Mystery, Supernatural  Fathers Josef Kou Hiraga and Roberto Nicholas are Vatican Miracle Examiners who investigate the authenticity of miraculous phenomena reported from all over the world. In every seemingly sacred event lies horrors of hidden conspiracies, mysterious murders, and devil worship. In this battle of good and evil, Hiraga, a scientific and mathematical genius, and Roberto, a polymath in linguistics and classics, must work together to bring the truth to light. Will their friendship and faith endure the evils in their journey to find a true miracle? Feels like Black Jack anime, just with two protagonists and more religion focused. Theme together with mystery are repulsive for me, execution is also rather rough.   Overall Rating: 5/10   31. Saiyuuki Reload Blast Saiyuki Reload Blast 最遊記RELOAD BLAST [Platinum Vision] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Josei Mythology Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Supernatural Nora Handa is a boy who lives with Shachi Yuuri, who was adopted by his mother. With everyone supporting, the two of them grew up healthily even after their parents passed away. Shachi, who likes Nora the most, wakes him up every morning. Nora spends his happy student life with Michi Kuroki, who is a disciplinary committee, honor student at school and childhood friend of the main character, Yuuki Asuhara, who is a gal but is very bright and can talk his worries to, and more friends at school. One day, Nora meets a girl who calls herself Patricia at the park on the way to the school. Patricia is a queen at hell, and claims to come here to destroy the life on land. However, she is damaged heavily because she touched the life for the first time. The energy was stronger than her, so Nora needed to tend her. Patricia asked him to tell her about the mysteries of life, and he had to even explain the ero book that he found at the park...?! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   32. Senki Zesshou Symphogear AXZ Symphogear AXZ 戦姫絶唱シンフォギアAXZ〈アクシズ〉 [Satelight] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Action, Sci-Fi Hibiki Tachibana has defeated many powerful enemies, saved countless innocent lives, and escaped from numerous desperate situations, but she is currently finding herself unable to escape from her most desperate situation yet—summer homework! Although her high school life is relatively unremarkable, her career as a member of the military organization S.O.N.G. is anything but. Using powerful, ancient armor known as Symphogear, Hibiki and her teammates work with the United Nations to deal with international disputes and disasters. During a mission briefing at headquarters, Hibiki is made aware of a mysterious organization known as the Bavarian Illuminati, who has been responsible for several major disasters in the past and currently operate in the war-torn country Val Verde. Together, Hibiki and her team infiltrate one of the Bavarian Illuminati's manufacturing plants and free hundreds of slaves. Exposed, alchemists Saint-Germain, Cagliostro, and Prelati reveal themselves as the organization's top brass, and—using alchemical powers—declare a global revolution while sacrificing thousands of lives. Faced with yet another threat to the world's survival, Hibiki and her allies must confront the Bavarian Illuminati in their most difficult and destructive battle yet. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   33. Mahoujin Guruguru (2017) Magical Circle 魔法陣グルグル [Production I.G] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shounen Parody Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy Nike was a simple boy from Boering Village, and the last thing he ever wanted was to become a hero. But when a sign appears from the king of Ainshent Castle Town recruiting heroes to slay the Demon Lord Giri, Nike's father enthusiastically forces him out the door. Along with Kukuri, a member of the Migu Migu Clan, Nike sets out on an adventure to become the legendary hero that the world needs. As Nike and Kukuri travel across different continents, they attempt to learn the secrets of Guru Guru Magic, a strange but powerful type of magic used to seal Demon Lord Giri's power. While reluctantly taking on their assigned quest, the duo does not fail to acquire new comrades and have fun along the way. Remake.   Overall Rating: 6/10   34. The Reflection ザ・リフレクション [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Super Power Action After the Reflection, some of the people in all parts of the world are discovered with super powers. Some become heroes, and others villains. How did the Reflection happen? What was the cause of it? With many unsolved mysteries, the world is led into turmoil. It's not anime. It's western superhero movie. I'm not fond of that, and quality seems to be quite low.   Overall Rating: 5/10   35. Hina Logi: From Luck & Logic Hina Logic – from Luck & Logic ひなろじ～from Luck & Logic [Doga Kobo] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Action, Comedy, Fantasy Liones Yelistratova, a pure princess from a small country, enters a school in Hokkaido on a spring day. The school is a specialized educational institution operated by ALCA to train Logicalists, who maintain world peace. Liones enters class S, where she meets many classmates with unique personalities, like Nina. A lively and cute everyday life begins now. Card game mahou shoujo duels. Nothing good comes of these marketing shows.   Overall Rating: 5/10   36. Battle Girl High School バトルガール ハイスクール [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 12/12) Tags: School Action, Sci-Fi Based on COLOPL's school action role-playing game. Set in the year 2045. The world has been contaminated by Irousu (mysterious invaders who suddenly appeared), and humans find themselves restricted and contained. Standing boldly against these invaders are ordinary girls everywhere, without a powerful army or even weapons. The Shinjugamine Girls Academy is a school for these "Hoshimori" (Star Guardians) destined to fight the Irousu. The player is assigned to this academy to train the girls and take back the contaminated Earth. And so, once again, the chimes echo through the sun-strewn schoolyard to mark the beginning of classes today... Very typical and boring - it's seen that it comes from action game.   Overall Rating: 5/10   37. Action Heroine Cheer Fruits アクションヒロイン チアフルーツ [Diomedéa] (Finished 3/12) Tags: School Comedy, Slice of Life Several years ago, local heroines—superhero characters who represent towns and perform stage shows in order to raise their town's acclaim—had a boom in popularity. The most famous of these local heroines, Kamidaio, is scheduled to perform in the small town of Hinano, much to the excitement of Mikan Kise's little sister Yuzu. Unfortunately, when Mikan takes Yuzu to the show, she finds out that it has been canceled. She promises her distraught sister that she'll make sure she can see the show. Desperate not to let her down, Mikan asks her classmate, the local heroine fanatic An Akagi, for help. Mikan and Ann put on their own Kamidaio performance clad in homemade costumes, which the kids in the audience love despite its lack of production value. The show is recorded by the student council president Misaki Shirogane, who posts it online to garner attention. Misaki is from a family of politicians and has taken it upon herself to revitalize Hinano. Impressed by their show, she recruits Mikan and An to become the official local heroines of their town. As the group works to improve their shows, they enlist the help of a variety of colorful individuals. Tokusatsu is a pretty bad theme. SOL itself here is also nothing special.   Overall Rating: 510   38. Clione no Akari Lights of the Clione クリオネの灯り [drop] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Drama The story centers around an illness-stricken, constantly bullied orphan girl named Minori. After one rainy day, she doesn't turn up at school, having been admitted into a hospital in a distant town. Two months pass, and the girl's two school friends, Takashi and Kyouko, receive a mysterious email with no sender listed. The email reveals a summer festival taking place at a nearby town... Length of episodes is less than half. Character designs are rather poor, story is a usual friendship vs bullying stuff.   Overall Rating: 5/10   39. Quanzhi Fashi II Full-Time Magister 2nd Season 全职法师Ⅱ [Foch Films] (Finished 12/12) Tags: School Action, Fantasy After defeating Yu Ang at the cost of revealing his lightning element, Mo Fan has been granted seven days to train in the Underground Holy Spring, where it is said that one can greatly increase their power level. However, Mo Fan's training is abruptly cut short when fierce monsters mysteriously appear all around Bo City, something which should be impossible given the city's border defenses. An emergency is declared, and Mo Fan is tasked with delivering the Underground Holy Spring—now condensed into a small bottle—to a special refuge zone that is protected from the havoc in the city. The path there is long, dangerous, and riddled with bloodthirsty beasts. To worsen matters, the malicious Black Order threatens to halt his advance. How will Mo Fan stop the sacred spring from falling into the wrong hands? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   40. Wo de Tian Jie Nu You My Cultivator Girlfriend 我的天劫女友 [Big Firebird Culture, TrioPen Studio] (Finished 15/15) Tags: Super Power Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural In the modern cultivation world, everywhere is law of the jungle, everyone feels insecure. After saving a cultivatior girl, the security guard Ma Yingxiong accidentally starts the journey of practicing cultivation. Finally Chinese anime starts to look like Japanese anime. It's a watchable shounen now, but far from masterpiece still.   Overall Rating: 6/10   41. Lan Mo de Hua Lan Mo's Flower 蓝漠的花 [Colored Pencil Animation] (Finished 9/9) Tags: School Romance Gluttonous and tomboyish, Lan Mo is hardly anyone's ideal girl, but with a magical hair clip from a mysterious trinket shop that disappears the next day, she may be able to become just that. With its power, she can transform into a beautiful and feminine young lady, someone who may finally be able to catch the eye of her childhood friend and crush, Liu Yifeng. However, keeping the clip's secret proves difficult for Lan Mo when faced with Liu Yifeng's admirers and the mysterious stranger Xia An. And to further complicate matters, Lan Mo's possession of the hair clip may turn out to be more than just mere coincidence. Episodes are only half length taking into account opening and ending, so it becomes just random mahou shoujo romance.   Overall Rating: 6/10   42. Xue Se Cang Qiong Bloody Code 血色苍穹 [CG Year] (Finished 4/26) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Suspense  Li Mingyang was originally an ordinary office worker. Because of a strange QR code, he was trapped in a killing city. Here everyone is forced to participate in a survival game that is going to kill or be killed. In the process of finding a way out of the city, the mastermind behind the whole incident surfaced step by step. Full CGI. Suspense mystery action, so of little interest to me. It means a lot of fighting and slowly unwinding something bigger. Action is not bad, and anime is without early Chinese anime flaws, so can rate it above average.   Overall Rating: 6/10   43. Qiang Niang Gun Girls 銃娘 [ガンガール] [Hoods Entertainment] (Finished 5/12) Tags: Military, Space Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Slice of Life Qiang Niang mainly tells of the protagonist Carrie, who has lost her combat memories, searching for herself and the story of her final "Awakening". In the years between 2025 to 2030, a world war involving the entire world has resulted in the demise of half the world's population, and humanity has already lost control of the direction the war shall go in. In order to seize ultimate victory, war has gradually been turned into a battle without people, similar to a game. War has already become about Satellite lasers, Bomb drones, Intelligent AI, a battlefield between unmanned gun turrets and tanks... Then, there are also a group of young maidens who uses outdated firearms to engage in battle —— the Gun Girls. A chaotic show about CGDCT on one side and gunfight missions on the other. It does not make much sense early on and can't be called interesting either as interactions are full of cliché.   Overall Rating: 5/10   44. Di Ling Qu The Immortal Legend 地灵曲 [-] (Finished 2/18) Tags: - During the night of July 12 in 1917, plenty of strange visions appeared, such as sun and moon shined together, waves and tides turned continually and so on. Dense clouds started darkening the sky, while buildings collapsed one after another in a sudden. In a while, the whole world fell into a crisis. Three grave-robbing aristocratic family, Zhang, Han, Cao, joint hands to solve this huge puzzle and save the world. Among them, the young master, Zhang Tianqi, who was kind and honest, with his team, had suffered from a lot of troubles in order to save the world in danger, and then finally figure out the Loulan Kingdom's secret. Loulan, with thousand years' secrets, had a grand and treacherous tomb, which almost dragged the team into death. So, what's the relationship between the mysterious visions and the Louland tomb? A story across millenniums is now beginning... Full CGI. Partially translated. Only tried it because stage is different from wuxia, but actually only some mechanical contraptions point at it as wuxia spirit is all over the place with constant martial arts fights and travel and dresses...   Overall Rating: 5/10   45. Shi Xian Time of Chord 时弦 [-] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Action, Sci-Fi - Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   46. No Game No Life: Zero No Game, No Life: Zero ノーゲーム・ノーライフ ゼロ [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Isekai Drama, Fantasy, Romance In ancient Disboard, Riku is an angry, young warrior intent on saving humanity from the warring Exceed, the 16 sentient species, fighting to establish the One True God among the Old Deus. In a lawless land, humanity's lack of magic and weak bodies have made them easy targets for the other Exceed, leaving the humans on the brink of extinction. One day, however, hope returns to humanity when Riku finds a powerful female Ex-Machina, whom he names Schwi, in an abandoned elf city. Exiled from her Cluster because of her research into human emotions, Schwi is convinced that humanity has only survived due to the power of these feelings and is determined to understand the human heart. Forming an unlikely partnership in the midst of the overwhelming chaos, Riku and Schwi must now find the answers to their individual shortcomings in each other, and discover for themselves what it truly means to be human as they fight for their lives together against all odds. Each with a powerful new ally in tow, it is now up to them to prevent the extinction of the human race and establish peace throughout Disboard. Prequels are usually not needed. And just when I thought that this movie might prove the rule wrong, it turned out to be alternative dimension than a prequel. So it brings next to zero to the table and does not bring sequel even a little bit closer...   Overall Rating: 6/10   47. Uchiage Hanabi, Shita kara Miru ka? Yoko kara Miru ka? Fireworks 打ち上げ花火、下から見るか？横から見るか？ [Shaft] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Romance, Sci-Fi  One summer, Norimichi Shimada and his friends want to know if fireworks look round or flat from the side. They forge a plan to find the answer at Moshimo Festival's fireworks display. However, Norimichi finds himself conflicted when his classmate, Nazuna Oikawa, plans to run away from home and wants Norimichi to join her. When things go awry in their attempt to escape, a strange orb in Nazuna's possession gives them another chance at staying together. Majority of it is banal brat romance. Sci-fi comes too late to matter.   Overall Rating: 5/10   48. Mary to Majo no Hana Mary and the Witch's Flower メアリと魔女の花 [Studio Ponoc] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy  Mary Smith is a clumsy girl with wild red hair who can't seem to do anything right. After moving in with her Great Aunt Charlotte, Mary finds herself lonely and bored, until one day she spies a cat which seems to keep changing color every time she sees it. Curiosity gets the better of her and she follows it into nearby woods. Deep in the forest, the cat takes her to a clearing with dead trees and brown grass, where the only sign of life is a cluster of mysterious blue flowers that Mary has never seen before. The gardener of the estate later tells her that the rare species is called "Fly-by-Night," and is said to be sought by witches for its incredible magical power. When the strange cat returns to her one night, Mary is led once again into the woods, but this time to an old broomstick hidden by a gnarled tree. After she clumsily squashes some Fly-by-Night against the broomstick, it begins to glow, whisking her off into the sky. Her wayward journey ends at the Endor College for Witches, where she is mistaken for a new student. And so, Mary must learn to look after herself in this marvelous new world of magic, where things are not always as they seem. Another wannabe Ghibli - high quality, but very little interest in watching a typical girl getting surprised by environments all the time. Story is nothing prominent as well.   Overall Rating: 6/10   49. Kimi no Koe wo Todoketai Your Voice -KIMIKOE- きみの声をとどけたい [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama The story focuses on high school girl Nagisa Yukiai who lives in a seaside town. She has believed her grandmother's story that spirits dwell in words and they are called "kotodama" (word spirit). One day, she strays into a mini FM station that has not been used for years. As an impulse of the moment, she tries to talk like a DJ using the facility. But her voice accidentally broadcasted reaches someone she has never expected. A normal simple locodol story, easily forgettable.   Overall Rating: 6/10   50. Yuuki Yuuna wa Yuusha de Aru: Washio Sumi no Shou 2 - Tamashii 結城友奈は勇者である -鷲尾須美の章- 第２章「たましい」 [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Drama, Fantasy, Slice of Life The second movie in the Washio Sumi no Shou trilogy. Forgot to include in Spring season. Nothing unexpected, just silly SOL antics and action only by the end with finally drama kicking in.   Overall Rating: 6/10   51. Yuuki Yuuna wa Yuusha de Aru: Washio Sumi no Shou 3 - Yakusoku 結城友奈は勇者である -鷲尾須美の章- 第３章「やくそく」 [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Drama, Fantasy The third and final movie in the Washio Sumi no Shou trilogy. Very logical continuation, just sulking instead of silliness, plus another round of action with drama. If that's all it can offer, can't really call it masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 6/10   52. Junk Head  [Yamiken] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Suspense  In the distant future, humanity is hurtling down a path of ruin. Global environmental destruction caused by chemical contamination, radioactive fallout, and UV rays coming through the patchy ozone layer has lead to deterioration of the human genome. Full plasticine. Arthouse trash, should have guessed from the title. And it lasts endlessly, over 100 minutes...   Overall Rating: 5/10   53. Dahufa The Guardian 大护法 [Nice Boat Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy  A warrior named Da Hufa goes to save his prince from a dystopian village. He finds the dystopian village ruled by a fake God and his guards. In order to save the prince, Da hufa has to defeat the God and his men and discloses the whole conspiracy. Unusual bloody story with quite a lot of psychedelia stuff. A good watch overall with many weird moments, but can't call it enjoyable. Still, quality is high, so I encourage to see for yourself.   Overall Rating: 6/10
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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
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