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Between seasons I've decided to check out Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You and six "mini" episodes in this has been fun.

Our story begins with office worker Sasaki working his corporate job and dropping by the supermarket most evenings to grab a few items so he can see his pick-me-up Yamada, a cheery attendant. One evening she isn't there when he's especially late, disappointing him, and in this desire for a smoke he discovers it isn't allowed up front, but an odd woman invites him to a smoking area behind the building. This mysterious woman who presumably works at the store brings up how he always goes in Yamada's line, and he explains himself which eases the moment since he doesn't come off as some creep trying to come onto her. From there, we learn by the end of the first episode that Yamada and this mysterious woman at the same person, but she tells Sasaki her name is actually Tayama. He believes it, and that's that.

From there the "mini" episodes run us through various conversations between Sasaki and Tayama behind the store, bits of his work, and the pair complaining about their jobs in other small ways. It's got the vibe of two adults just adulting, passing the time having someone else to talk to. There are hints to a soft romantic connection building, at least six "mini" episodes in, but nothing too serious yet. Oh, and it'd be fair to say I enjoy Yamada/Tayama's aesthetic choices, that red hair paired with primarily white/black clothing just looks so damn cool.

Classroom of the Elite 4th Season follows Kiyotaka into the second year of high school with a whole new class of students coming into the mix. Compared to the past year, the new students are a bit more fierce in how they compete, and a new acting director has it out for Kiyotaka. Since this is the fourth season of Classroom this is only worth jumping into if you've already been following the series but it ended up being a good season with a bit more violence leeching into the competition.

Gals Can't Be Kind to Otaku!? is a high school romantic* comedy where everything begins with our male otaku, Takuya, having the blonde gal, Kotoko, ask if she can borrow an eraser. It so happens the one she grabbed is branded with his favorite anime and the brunette gal, Kei, is quick to correct him on a detail, hinting she might be an otaku too!

Spanning twelve episodes, the happenstance meeting quickly builds into a friendship between the trio with them growing close. Between getting into the anime, going out on what looks like dates, plus your typical school festival, there's a lot of activities with opportunities for something more to blossom. That said, it never does, the friendship between the three growing ever more, and hints of possible romance mostly staying at that. While that could sound disappointing, the way they navigate it is actually quite fun, especially with how both Kotoko and Kei kind of course correct if it seems like one of them is getting closer to a possible relationship, like they want to play fair. Oh, and Takuya even has moments of feelings, but still keeps to the friendship.

Recommended? Yes. I think this show has a unique niche for itself, fundamentally being a love triangle, but with friendship being so core to the three that prevents any true conflict (or really romance) to form. Will someone be coupled with Takuya eventually? Probably, but in the meantime there's a genuinely enjoyable balancing act to watch unfold.

Botan Kamiina Fully Blossoms When Drunk begins as we watch the first year college girl Botan (pink hair) go off from her dorm mates to find the resident assistant Ibuki (light blonde). Botan finds her drinking a highball alone and is a bit captivated since Ibuki really looks like she enjoys it, and as they talk Ibuki offers to share with her, leading to the discovery they share something - issues consuming fizzy drinks. This is also our first sight of Botan's flirty side as she says to Ibuki, "You're really cute," causing a bit of a startled response from the RA. It's the start of a fun friendship, and eventually something much more.

Spanning twelve episodes, we get to meet four different girls beside Ibuki and each of them bring different likes, dislikes, & personalities. Kanade is the smoking one who turns out really enjoys reading and movies - as well as an interest in Ibuki. Akane is the guitarist with a bit of that aloof musician way about her. Yaeka (the longer haired blonde) loves going outdoors and traveling and is close with Akane. And Chang, she's the dark haired exchange student who appears later on. As a group there's a lot of dynamics that get to play out, as well as a bit of depth learning what makes each of them different yet mesh under the same roof. In essence, it captures the ideal outcome of college living, where you learn a lot about yourself and grow past being a child.