Cherry Valentine

Spring 2024 Anime

Note: I’ve decided to stop writing about new seasons of shows I’ve written about multiple times before.

Tadaima, Okaeri is this season’s soothing, feel-good show. It’s also this season’s “please have babies we are begging you!” show. It follows married couple Hiromu and Masaki and their daily lives raising their adorable children. Something to note is that while the couple here are both men, the series really isn’t about their relationship but rather about their roles as parents. The two of them face discrimination for being together, but not because they’re both men (same sex relationships seem to be common in this world). It’s because Hiromu is an alpha and Masaki is an omega. Alphas can get any type pregnant and omegas (regardless of sex) can become pregnant by anyone. Other than that, there doesn’t seem to be any difference between them and regular human beings. The show ends up being fairly realistic (especially if you sub in homophobia for the alpha/omega stuff). Overall it’s a mild, sweet series. The strength of the show lies in just how cute their young children are, the family drama surrounding the couple, and the endearing friendships they’ve built. The animation and art are fine for this type of show, with comforting pastel colors and gentle music. Recommended. 

Oblivion Battery is a baseball sports anime about a battery duo who dominated middle school baseball. They were so talented that all the top schools offered them scholarships. But instead of continuing their path to becoming pros, the catcher Kaname gets amnesia after an injury. This causes him to forget everything he knows about baseball, and his cold, calculating personality reverts to the silly goofball he would have been without the discipline of baseball. He decides to go to a no name school with no baseball team, but his pitcher/best friend Kiyomine follows him, and with the help of some former rivals, they decide to start a new team. The main draw of this series is the unique premise. The amnesia angle is interesting, and the relationship between the two boys in the battery is fun.  Kiyomine is the quiet, stoic type who balances out Kaname’s zany antics well. Kaname himself is saved from being too annoying by being voiced by Mamoru Miyano. The baseball seems reasonably realistic so far, and all the rules are conveniently explained to us via the characters explaining them to Kaname. The animation is nice but the character designs are almost aggressively unattractive. All the characters’ faces look too small for their heads. It’s a strange image, but I guess I’ve gotten used to it. I can’t resist a sports anime with a unique premise. 

 A Condition Called Love is a shoujo anime about a young girl named Hotaru and the boy who falls in love with her, Hananoi. While Hotaru is a fairly average girl, Hananoi is very good looking and popular with girls. The catch is that Hananoi comes on way too strong and has several well-meaning but toxic methods of showing his love. His feelings are very intense from the beginning, and the first episode might leave you scratching your head because he seems to fall madly in love with her out of nowhere. I will only say that this gets addressed later. But right away, it’s clear that Hananoi has several red flags. He’s possessive, gets jealous easily, is self destructive, and has no interest in maintaining any relationships besides the one he has with Hotaru. I appreciate that the series rightfully points out that this is concerning behavior and Hotaru refuses to have a relationship like that. She makes it clear that she will keep all her friendships and she earnestly tries to help Hananoi change. My main issue with the series is that it seems to be a bit wishy-washy with these themes, never taking them quite far enough to have a strong impact. And sometimes Hananoi will do something I think is pretty egregious and Hotaru just doesn’t seem to mind. While watching, I’m often reminded of the manga Love and Heart, which explores similar themes but goes much harder with them. Of course it has the luxury of a college aged cast instead of high school students, but I still feel like this show could have delved a little deeper. I do like the explanation for Hananoi’s behavior and outlook. It makes perfect sense and makes him a much more likable character to have that context. The art and animation are okay, but Hotaru tends to be drawn with exactly one facial expression and I wish she was more visually expressive. Hananoi has a very pleasing design, as do most of the supporting cast. Despite my mild complaints, the show is still very good and at least touches on topics that aren’t often explored in a realistic way in shoujo. 

Wind Breakers is one of my favorite new shows this season. It follows Sakura, a high school boy who excels at and enjoys fighting, starting as a new student at a high school known for its fighting delinquents. He goes there with the intention of fighting his way to the top and taking over, setting up our expectations about what sort of series this will be. Instead, he discovers that the delinquents are more like a team/found family and they’re basically heroes to the small town the school is located in. They patrol the streets, protect the townsfolk, repair damages, etc. Sakura, somewhat surprisingly, finds this all very cool, and is happy to join up. The school is led by the very charming, very cool, and very strong Umemiya, whom many people have compared to Jujutsu Kaisen’s Gojo (they look somewhat similar and even share a voice actor). He’s definitely a highlight of the show. The character designs are varied and interesting, and the animation is nice. The fight scenes look pretty great. The soundtrack is excellent. Highly recommended. 

Yatagarasu is a show I almost dropped after the first episode, but I’m really glad I kept watching because it hit its stride in episode two. This is a court intrigue series about a world where humans can transform into giant ravens. The youngest prince is next in line for the throne, surpassing his older brother due to being born with rare and powerful abilities. This splits the court between supporters of each brother, leading to assassination attempts, betrayals, and various other things. At the same time, a daughter from each of the four great houses is sent to participate in a competition to be chosen as the royal consort. This aspect of the story is the one I thought I would hate, as the idea of multiple women competing for one man just doesn’t appeal to me. But it soon becomes clear that romance has nothing to do with it. At least two of the women have zero interest in the prince himself, and thus far in the series the prince hasn’t even gone to see any of them even once. It’s all political maneuvering. There’s some violence here and there, but overall the story is more about politics than action. The prince himself is an interesting character, not falling easily into one of the usual tropes for a character in his position. The animation looks lovely and the character designs are fantastic. The music is also very good. Highly recommended if you like a good political drama with some supernatural elements. 

Kaiju no. 8 is probably the show I was most looking forward to. I’ve been following the manga since it began and I’m a big fan. It’s set in a world where kaiju attack often and Japan has the highest number of them. The country has created a defense force to fight them, and protagonist Kafka has always wanted to join. The problem is that he’s thirty, and he’s failed the application process several times already. Having pretty much given up on his dreams, he instead works on a kaiju cleanup crew (responsible for cleaning up all the kaiju guts that splatter everywhere following their defeat). After meeting a young coworker who intends to join the defense force, and surviving a run in with a kaiju himself, he decides to try one more time. A complication arrives when a tiny kaiju forces its way down his throat and gives him the ability to transform into a powerful kaiju himself. The best part of this series is Kafka. We so rarely get protagonists his age in this sort of story, and it’s refreshing to see him continue to pursue his dreams and act as a sort of father/uncle figure for the younger members of the cast, even as they outclass him in every way. I also like that some of the most powerful people, ones that Kafka see as his “goal” are women. There’s Mina, a captain in the defense force who is absurdly strong and can take out massive kaiju solo (and also happens to be Kafka’s childhood friend). And then there’s Kikoru, a new young recruit who outperforms every single other applicant and is viewed as a genius prodigy. The battles are a blast to watch, with cool kaiju designs and fun fight choreography. The animation is solid. The music is excellent. If you have even a passing interest in kaiju, this is the show for you. 

Other Shows I’m Watching:

I didn’t do write ups for the Fall 2023 season because I was only watching two shows and they were just new seasons of shows I’ve written about multiple times before (Dr. Stone and Spy x Family) so I didn’t feel the need. Both were great. I’ll just leave it at that.

Mr. Villain’s Day Off is one of my favorites this season. Following a stereotypical Tokusatsu villain on his not so typical days off from villain work, the show is a tender hearted comedy without a single mean bone in its body. The humor here is more subtle and situational than the usual fast paced slapstick we often see in anime. As a result, the story actually has a heart. The main character, usually just called Shogun (reflecting his status in the villainous organization), spends his days at “work” fighting a team of Power Ranger-like heroes (each of whom actually get some decent characterization and cute moments, especially the perpetually lost Red) and plotting the destruction of humanity so that his race of aliens can take over the planet. But he spends his days off visiting the zoo to see the animals he’s come to adore: pandas. The charm of this extremely charming show is primarily in the contrast between the violent villain who wants to wipe out humanity and the quiet, good natured man who loves pandas and is genuinely enjoying learning about earth and human customs. The art is very nice, nothing too fancy but it serves the story well. The music is soothing. Overall it’s a very sweet and comforting series that wisely avoids going over the top with the comedy and never really drains its primary joke (villain who loves pandas) too much. Recommended (though you’ll definitely get more enjoyment out of this show if you’re at least vaguely familiar with Tokusatsu tropes).

A Sign of Affection is an incredibly sweet and gentle shoujo romance about a young deaf woman named Yuki and the relationship she forms with Itsuomi, a handsome guy from her college who knows several languages and decides to learn sign language after meeting her. There’s been a bit of a trend lately that I’m totally here for: shoujo romances that are wholesome and healthy. Though I definitely enjoy the drama of more spicy shows, it’s also very nice to relax and watch something that’s not going to piss me off. A Sign of Affection is very careful with its romance. Characters behave in more natural, mature ways. There are fewer misunderstandings and the ones we get are completely understandable. It’s just nice to see healthy, equal, consensual relationships. Because those are the ones I want to root for. Yuki’s disability is handled with delicacy and tact. We see her limitations and struggles but we also see her living a full and happy life. The art style is very typical for high quality shoujo. Lots of pastels and gentle, natural designs. The animation is fluid enough for a show like this, and the music fits it well. Recommended if you like romance.

Cherry Magic is a BL (Boys Love) series that continues the fairly recent trend of non toxic BL anime (that started with shows like Given and Sasaki and Miyano). Cherry Magic centers on Adachi, a shy man who discovers he has magical powers after hitting age 30 while still being a virgin. The power? To read the mind of anyone he touches. Out of curiosity he touches his handsome, popular coworker Kurosawa and finds out Kurosawa is in love with him. Once upon a time, nearly every BL anime that came out was full of toxic relationships and, I’ll call it a “strained relationship with consent”. There’s been a lot of discussion over the years about why that was and how people felt about it, but I for one (a straight cis woman, so take my opinion with a grain of salt) always found those aspects to be uncomfortable. Thankfully, like with shoujo romance, modern series have been moving away from abusive relationships with (very) dubious consent. Cherry Magic is refreshing, mainly in that the two leads are 30 and they actually form a very sweet and equal relationship. It’s a very slow burn romance, but it works well here. The art isn’t anything amazing. The character designs are rather generic and the animation quality dips noticeably after the first episode. But the music is nice and the writing is strong enough to carry the show. Recommended.

High Card season two is, so far, a bit of a letdown. Following a group of people using magic playing cards to give them special powers as they try to gather all the cards, the first season was a blast. The characters were fun and the plot, while occasionally getting a little dark, was overall upbeat and energetic. Season two is fine. I’m enjoying it and it’s had a few great episodes, but the pacing just feels off. Some episodes feel disjointed, and just when it seems like the plot is getting tense and urgent, things come to a screeching halt to have backstory or even side story episodes. To be clear, it’s still a very good anime, but so far the second season is failing to live up to the first. The art and animation are still great and the music is too (though the opening and ending themes just don’t compare to the absolute bangers of season one). Definitely still worth watching for the colorful, lively characters alone.

The Demon Prince of Momochi House is a very pretty supernatural shoujo series about an orphaned girl named Himari inheriting a house from a family she never knew, only to find it already occupied by a trio of handsome young men, two of whom are not actually human. It turns out Himari’s new house sits on the border between worlds, and one of the young men, Aoi, is tasked with guarding that border. The plot is fairly episodic, and the show’s main weakness is that it feels very familiar and predictable. The basic setup of “bright cheerful girl with no family moves in with supernatural hot guys” is not new. But it’s a common setup for a reason: it’s charming and fun. The art and design are very pretty. The music is a high point, with my favorite opening theme of the season. It’s a cute show. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it’s still a fun ride.

Here’s what I’m watching!

Shinigami Bocchan to Kuro Maid Season 2 has been adorable, just like season 1. It follows a young man who was cursed by a witch to kill any living thing he touches (clothes don’t prevent it so gloves are useless) and his beautiful maid who remains with him despite the danger, as well as a growing cast of characters who end up involved with them. Despite the grim premise, the show is overall lighthearted and sweet, more comedy than drama (though there are definitely some darker moments sprinkled throughout). Season 2 has been paying much more attention to the secondary couple of the series, Zain and Cuff, a pair of witches who have befriended the leads. They’re almost as cute as the main couple, so it’s been fun to watch their relationship develop (also I should note that they are a heterosexual couple, since “a pair of witches” might imply otherwise; there is a lesbian couple among the witches and they’re also adorable but they’re minor characters unfortunately). The show has always been about forming connections despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and I appreciate that these connections come in many forms, from romance to friendships to family ties. It’s a big hearted show with fun design work and cute music. The animation is CG and, well, it doesn’t always look great, but it’s not hideous and I’ve seen far worse. If you can look beyond the animation style, you’ll find an extremely endearing show.

Bungou Stray Dogs is on season 5… I think? Regardless, it remains one of the best anime I’ve seen in recent years. Once a show gets to this many seasons I feel like a plot summary is unnecessary. As I’ve said countless times already about this show, its true charm lies in its ability to blend all its different aspects into a satisfying experience without those different aspects distracting from each other. It can be hilarious, then heartbreaking, then thrilling, all within a few minutes of screen time and without diluting any of those feelings. It also does a great job of stacking the deck against the protagonists so that there’s a sense of tension and danger even when you’re fairly certain they will survive. One of the best things about this series, however, is that things don’t usually boil down to two guys punching each other to settle all the plot points. There are special abilities and characters with super strength and speed and of course that leads to a lot of cool battles, but there’s usually a lot more going on. There are nefarious plots and unique abilities with even more unique applications and characters engaging in mental warfare and chase sequences and cat and mouse games and so many other things besides straight up fights. This season in particular has highlighted these elements. The animation and design work are fantastic. The opening and ending themes are awesome (especially that opening holy shit). I wish everyone would try this series.

Undead Girl Murder Farce is a detective series with a supernatural twist. The detective in question is Aya, an immortal disembodied head being carried in a birdcage by her two attendants, a sharpshooting maid named Shizuku and an oni. The oni is Tsugaru, a somewhat jovial and laidback human-demon hybrid with incredible strength and the ability to kill or at least damage other supernatural creatures. In this world, pretty much all mythological creatures exist, from vampires to werewolves to even fictional characters like Sherlock, Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Phantom of the Opera. The overarching plot of the series is about Aya and her companions traveling through Europe in search of her missing body, solving cases involving supernatural creatures along the way. Aya herself is an interesting character, being intelligent enough to give Sherlock a run for his money while being lighthearted enough to joke about her own body-less predicament. Tsugaru is also a delight. He takes pretty much everything in stride and has an entertainer’s mannerisms, but he’s monstrously strong and his bond with Aya and Shizuku is charming to watch. The art and animation look great. The backgrounds are lovely and the clothing designs in particular are very pleasing. It has my favorite opening theme of the season and my second favorite ending theme. Highly recommended.

My Happy Marriage is another new series this season. Set during the Meiji Restoration period, the story focuses on an unfortunate young woman named Miyo. She’s basically Cinderella, abused and treated like a slave by her wicked stepmother and half sister (though in this story her father is just as bad) after her mother passed away when she was a child. Miyo is seen as useless because she has no supernatural abilities in a world where all the prominent families have them. Seemingly in an attempt to get rid of her, her family shoves her into an arranged marriage with a man named Kiyoka who is notoriously cruel and has frightened off several potential brides already. Since this is a sweet romance anime at its core, the rumors about Kiyoka have been greatly exaggerated (he’s gorgeous and super kind, which really shouldn’t be a spoiler if you’re familiar with any kind of romance tropes). But just because Miyo lucked out in the husband department doesn’t mean her life is suddenly perfect. There are lots of different forces at work, from jealous family members to political machinations. Plus there’s a lifetime of trauma for poor Miyo to deal with, which is handled in a sensitive and realistic way. The show overall is wholesome and definitely a slow burn, but that makes sense. Trauma doesn’t go away when your life improves. The series has a lot of other things going on concerning the abilities of different families and political maneuvering, but I enjoy it most when it’s just about Miyo and Kiyoka developing their relationship. The animation is beautiful, with a soft color palette and lovely backgrounds. Recommended if you like romance in historical settings and don’t mind some supernatural shenanigans.

Jujutsu Kaisen is on season 2, and this season has two very distinct arcs (punctuated by a three week break between them). The first arc is a prequel story showing the teenage years of Gojo, the protagonist’s arrogant but fun teacher from season 1. This arc has two primary purposes: to show Gojo becoming the absurdly overpowered beast we saw in the first season and to show his best friend Geto’s trauma-fueled descent into villainy. Both were handled exceedingly well and at this point they’re probably the five best episodes of the series. I had watched and enjoyed season 1 but honestly didn’t think much about the series after it was over. But these episodes? They made me a full blown fan. They made me go read the manga and get completely caught up in two days (to be fair I skimmed some stuff pertaining to characters I’m not super into). Since they’re a prequel story, I’d even feel good recommending that someone start with them, just to see what this show is capable of. Because the animation is mind blowing. It looks like movie-budget animation. The music is perfection (my favorite ending theme of the season). It’s just a very slick, cool package. I don’t have a lot to say about the second arc of the season because it just started, but if it follows the manga closely it will be amazing. The Shibuya Incident arc is one of the best arcs in modern shounen, taking place all in one night (Halloween night! I was sold right there!) and having some of the most gut wrenching moments in the series. So I expect great things. That new opening is an absolute banger too. Highly recommended.

Best of Season:

Best New Series: Undead Girl Murder Farce

Best Opening Theme: Undead Girl Murder Farce

Best Ending Theme: Jujutsu Kaisen (first half)

Best New Male Character: Tsugaru (Undead Girl Murder Farce)