First things first, make sure to submit your nominations for the Fediverse Anime Awards!
Besides the awards, welcome to another general discussion thread! Feel free to use this thread to talk about things you have watched recently, questions you have, or recommendations you want to give!
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Picked up and caught up on two more current series last week - Roll Over and Die and Shiboyugi: Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table
Roll Over and Die (“Omae Gotoki ga Maou ni Kateru to Omou na” to Yuusha Party wo Tsuihou Sareta node, Outo de Kimama ni Kurashitai) looks at first glance as if it’ll be a revenge-focused action series, but it’s really nothing of the sort. The protagonist - Flum - has virtually no combat skill - she just has enormous and ever-growing stats and a whomping big sword, so most of her battles consist either of her curbstomping the enemy or her failing to curbstomp the enemy and having to run away. And though she’s been horribly wronged by her former party, she’s not out for revenge - she’s focused elsewhere.
It’s actually mostly political intrigue and a growing yuri romance, and both are done if not brilliantly then at least well enough to be entertaining. I’m enjoying the characters and watching both the mystery and the romance unfold.
Shiboyugi (Shibou Yuugi de Meshi wo Kuu) is an oddly unsettling… something. It should be a sort of horror suspense thriller, very much in the vein of Squid Game, but it has an oddly serene atmosphere to it that takes a lot of the edge off of the horror and suspense. It’s no less horrifying for that - in fact, one of the main plot points is the protagonist’s memories of horrible things she’s seen and done (and one in particular that caps off the first episode) and violence and death are constants. But still, between the art style and the presentation and some of the details of the games, the violence seems a bit muted, which is sort of creepy in and of itself. I don’t know where it’s headed, but it’s intriguing.
The only old thing I watched last week was the second Love, Chuunibyou and Other Delusions movie - Take On Me - which was okay all in all I guess. Tohka was even more of a heartless, self-centered bitch than in the past, only to do a completely unbelievable heel/face turn at the end, but at least Yuuta and Rikka mostly got themselves sorted out, and the supporting cast had some good moments. After the terrific first season, I actually considered just stopping there and not watching any of the rest of it, and in retrospect, that’s what I should’ve done.
As far as other current series go:
MF Ghost - I just want them to get back in the cars. Kanata out of the car is such a child-like suck-up that it sort of creeps me out.
Trigun Stargaze was decent. Vash’s attitudes are starting to infect Wolfwood, much to his chagrin. The battle with Midvalley played out interestingly if not terribly excitingly. And Legato really drove home the point that he’s not even vaguely sane.
Scum of the Brave was pretty good. We’ve gotten focus episodes with each of the three girls now, and have gotten enough hints of the deeper plot that I expect we’re going to dive into it with the entire ensemble, and that should be the bulk of the series. I’m looking forward to it.
You and I Are Polar Opposites was terrific again, and we finally got to meet Nisshi, who was easily my favorite character in the manga. It’s following the manga closely enough that there haven’t been any surprises for me, but the whole thing is so well done that I’m thoroughly enjoying it anyway.
And Journal With Witch was terrific. This episode was actually a bit light on profound moments - it seemed to be mostly laying the groundwork for future stuff - but then it made up for all of that by throwing in a surprising development with Makio and Shingo that likely won’t renew their romance but at least should take down some of their walls.
a surprising development with Makio and Shingo that likely won’t renew their romance but at least should take down some of their walls
I don’t know about that. Makio seems hesitant to get together with Shingo because she probably doesn’t see herself as someone who can coexist well with another person. But she’s coexisting with Asa, one way or another. Maybe by doing so she’ll learn more about herself and how she can deal with constantly being around others. Shingo seems like an incredibly understanding person who would absolutely respect any requests she made to accommodate her (let me be completely alone at such and such hours, etc.). Even just living in a bigger place where Makio has the space to be alone could be the difference it takes, and I think he’d be willing to extend himself financially to try it. That might terrify Makio, but lots of things terrify Makio. Could make for some good drama much further down the line.
I should’ve been more clear - likely won’t immediately renew their romance.
I assume rhat over the course of the series, their reconciliation is a sure thing. But I also assume it’ll be a sort of tough road from here to there, and they’ve only taken one, albeit significant, step on that road.
Just a quick shout-out to Gnosia and Medalist. Both of them popped off extra hard the last couple of episodes.
The best part is
mild meta spoiler for the aforementioned anime
we haven’t even reached the peak of the climax for either of them. They’re already so good now - imagine how insane the upcoming episodes would be.
Come and join in the discussion threads, people! It’s fun to theorycraft what comes next in Gnosia, and to glaze the Inori-Tsukasa student-coach pair from Medalist.
I watched Tamayura and started Tamayura Hitotose. It’s an iyashikei by the same director as ARIA, Satou Junichi. Also shares some seiyuu with ARIA. It’s very gentle… And has that same sense of wonder to it. Fushigi… (he seems to like that word both in ARIA and Tamayura)
This season has been great so far…too much so. I have been pretty busy and can’t keep up with everything, so dropping stuff hurts at this point:
- Oshi no Ko - Absolutely outstanding episode this past week. I didn’t think anything was going to top Frieren for me this season, but…idk…this might be it.
- Frieren - As good as it ever was.
- Polar Opposites - Such a great ensemble in this show. The main couple is great, sure…but the full cast is really what elevates this to the next tier up.
- Demon King’s Daughter - Another great installment of Sing-Along with Doux!
- Midnight Heart - Yes, it feels a bit contrived. Yes, the animation quality is a bit lacking. However, this has managed to keep me engaged so far.
- Chained Soldier - It’s been fun. I am not the biggest fan of this Azuma arc we are in right now, but it’s managed to keep me watching so far.
Made in Abyss next season was announced for later this year
