努力と根性

What was on?

Witch Hat Atelier

(ep 11) It starts with Agott reflecting with one of the earliest realizations of this universe: since there's nothing special about the magic beyond knowing the sigils and the ink, so if Coco learns the craft, how can she be an "outsider"? She's hard at work, and thanks to Qifrey realises her strong point are straight lines, like the ones she did when she was working with her mother, and while they're at it, Richeh continues to refuse to pick a book, and we finally learned why, the last thing she heard from her brother was that he wished her magic would be hers alone, not copied by someone else's. Truly, someone who you don't need to ask how they feel about LLMs. But the main story this week, it's finally time for Agott to do her second test, and with her will be Euini, a student of Kukrow who's one of the reasons why Qifrey is in business... and Richeh, who was taken by surprise but Qifrey assures her she can do things her own way, as he promised her. Yeah, this is the end of season arc, and it promises to be an interesting one. I'm almost tempted to dock a grade for briefly teasing the existence of a giant brushbuddy witch but turned out it's only a clothing spell, but I'm not that petty. A few great visual moments, like Coco sneaking in Richeh's secret hideout (and she turns around in her chair like Blofeld with brushbuddy as a cat) but that would be repeating myself. A

The Ramparts of Ice

(ep 11) After discovering the truth about the nature of her relationship with Igarashi a couple of episodes ago, now we understand why, she used him to get back at Manatsu, her bully, who liked him, and it really feels at this point a lot of the self-isolation Koyuki entered isn't just to avoid being hurt by others, but also regret and shame for being capable of hurting others. Now her younger sister Akine (who just noticed wears the same heart earrings as Suzuki) is at the same school, and how much does she know about her or how she feels towards her is eating Koyuki, and avoiding her completely isn't going to be easy. This time, Minato's rescued her both by making small talk at her, and also to prevent Koyuki from doing that thing where she just tries to leave and makes her feel her presence is wanted, and if Akine is still a bit of a mystery, with her looking at the photo with her sister with something on her mind, her friend Momoka has set her eyes on Minato and has picked up there's something between him and Koyuki. I think I've mentioned before it's really good how this show initially treated Koyuki as the shy loner girl who just wanted to be left alone and Minato as the nosy good for nothing and gradually revealed Koyuki isn't that innocent and Minato's biggest fault is that he lacks a lot of tact. Some talk of three more episodes this season, and then a possible second cour announcement, which this fully deserves. A

Ascendance of a Bookworm

(ep 10) I have to say this "Mana hardening" thing feels too much a bit like midichlorians, in the sense you don't have have to find some pseudo-scientific explanation to literal ✨ magic ✨ but sure, Rozemyne has to gather materials, one from each season, to dissolve the Mana in her body. But first, put the fear in the Hesse mayor, dealing with the harvest festival, blessing the people with strength orbs, and then finally getting the seasonal drop. What should be an easy harvest mission turns more complex by the appearance of feybeasts, including one that eats the mana-infused fruit and goes from a level 5 enemy to a level 99 boss. Saying this was the weakest episode this season so far because of the "mana hardening" thing and why would you bother actually fighting the feybeasts when you could just go out of their range and wait it out, then sweep in and move out quickly when the timing was right. Who has been training these people? Feels more like a way to add an action scene without making sense why, could be simply a shrub instead of a tree, actually giving them no choice but to stand their ground. "Oh but they can climb trees" you say, they're fictional animals, they could be written to be capable of flight, this is just poorly thought out writing. C

Mao

(ep 11) I see this season has a thing for people who are already dead, as Kamon finds the daughter of aristocrat who was quite ill, recovered thank to a spiritual healer and now leaves a trail of water while looking pretty dessicated herself, I'm sure that has nothing to with the current going ons. Meanwhile, Nanoka appears all geared up to fight last episode's giant water monster when they're interrupted by a mother asking Mao to save his child, who then collapses. Mao goes with the daughter, leaving her in the care of Nanoka and Otoya. On arrival, Mao realises the boy had been dead for a while, and back at his office, the mother uses a water-based illusion spell to steal his kodoku pot because it was all a trap by a shikigami to capture Mao with the same spear used to harm the biyouki. A tough fight for Mao where it would have ended for the worse if Nanako didn't appear, and not only she beat the shikigami, she saved Mao with powers none of them quite understand yet. Really tight episode with some tight visuals in the fight in the rain, showing Mao and Nanoka getting closer and who has been behind his recent troubles. B

The Food Diary of Miss Maid

(ep 12) Like the series, the year comes to an end, with Ricotta and Suzume learning how to make gyoza with her grandfather, although she struggles the same way the first time I tried making rissois: too much filling (also why I only made them jumbo-sized). She then sees his sunglasses wearing neighbour drying some daikon and decides to have a go herself, does the end of the year cleaning, but was so distracted by the job she ends up forgetting about dinner and does some quick instant noodles, and for the final story, Anzu was given too much soba, gives some to Suzume, but after hearing the culinary crimes she was planning with Ricotta invites them and Nana to eat them together and so off they go doing some shopping. A nice episode where we meet most of the fun characters that have been part of Suzume's adventure. it has been a fun show, full post in a couple of weeks or so, although there's very little I can add to what I wrote about each episode individually. B This week's delicacies: gyoza, dried daicon, instant noodles and year-end soba

Gals Can’t Be Kind to Otaku!?

(ep 10) (scrolling) wait did I put two maid-san screenshots? In case you forgot after last week's trip down memory lane, there was supposed to be a school festival episode, and here we are. The class put a devious plan to maximise their income, not only by splitting Ijichi and Amane into different shifts, but also with a costume change. Devious. This episode felt a bit more disjointed to me due to its nature, and it's one of those cases I don't like to say "worst episode so far" because this "worst" would still be a rather solid episode in any other show, and it has a lot of good bits (maid Ijichi, Seo really happy a kid recognized his costume, Amane doing plausible deniability Gilltermon cosplay, the two making Seo dress on girls' cosplay costumes, Heisei Gal Amane and Sayu coming to see what they were up to and picking up Amane wasn't fully lying that an otaku like her was actually popular and playing the cute little sister who looks up to her), but together it feels like it's just setting up the last two episodes. B

Botan Kamiina Fully Blossoms When Drunk

(ep 10) Gujou is still moping over knowing Ibuki and Botan are now an item, and is just feeling lost and aimless. Chang? She doesn't lose time, Gujou asks if she like someone? It's Her. Just like that. Best girl, a being of pure confidence and determination, against Gujou, someone who lost a great chance at love because she was too indecisive to make a move. Second story is a short one, with Yaeka and Botan sitting at a bar as Akane checks guitars, something Yaeka doesn't want to do because as we're often reminded, they are great for each other because they really are quite different people, but that sometimes means you can't do things together. Then Botan drops Akane a hint to make Yaeka happy, and still just enough time for a third post credits story with the girls nursing a very nice bottle. Once again, a very well directed episode with two lighter (in terms of plot development, because oooh boy, Gujou is taking that hard), but after dropping the big bomb last episode, this is maybe the only way to follow on that. B

Fist of the North Star

(ep 12) One of my big ideas for a fallout game is becoming so infamous as a wastelands slayer those factions instead of sending people trying to kill you, if their patrols see you on the distance they just run, and should you attack their base, you have to get in stealthily or else they'll lock themselves inside. Sure, doing a one-man siege will eventually kill them, but how long that may take, that's still a lot longer than the 10 minutes it would take otherwise. Anyway, more guys talking a big game at the end of the episode who then are completely wiped out in the first few minutes. This one even got the privilege of being hit with the specials moves from Kenshiro and Rei. The two have a chat, and Rei doesn't believe Kenshiro can be the man with seven scars who kidnapped his sister he's out to kill before returning to village where Rei shows his credentials as 80s Man and who does the most confusing proposal (I think, who knows) to Mamiya, who wants to join them in their quest to obliterate the rest of the Fang Clan, whose leader is not taking well to having to do puzzles to find out who died, so he tries to discover if Kenshiro and Rei have families, and accidentally does a solid to Rei by discovering where his sister Airi was taken. Now, if something happens to him, are we going to see the him being slowly sliced like cooked ham? Yeah, probably. Some fairly good fighting sequences (guy who gets bonesmashed, chopped and then explodes is a nice touch) and once again less stiff animation makes it a fairly entertaining episode. C

Pardon the Intrusion, I’m Home!

(ep 10) It's the mangaka trio, and they're eating something the Great Jahy would call an holiday feast: bean sprouts with rice. One of them still has a crush on Rinko, and the two others check out his vibe and say his best move is to play the sad puppy. While Akito, or "Yu Shimizu" is being chewed by his editor for turning in a softer manuscript and being told he can't write a commercial book just for one person, Usada is being praised by his latest chapters, when he overhears the mangaka trio being dragged by their editor, intervenes, and while he thinks the script is lousy, his editor is interested in the story and so Usada ends up giving them some notes because he likes the "one-sided love" angle of it, little does he know. After a very constructive beatdown where he , they're over the moon, but that feeling quickly gives way to desperation as they see Usada and Rinko together and jump to conclusions. Not a bad episode overall, although it's always weird when shows with a very limited number of episodes just say "let's do almost a full episode about these side caharacters that appeared once. Still, beats some of the duller episodes we had here so far. C

Ichijouma Mankitsu Gurashi!

(ep 10) It's Christmas time, and Meiko is returning home for a short vacation... and Rie comes with her, wanting to see what the home one of her favourite up and coming mangaka grew up. Of course, the only thing they have in common is the name, and Meiko is very concerned the truth might actually come out. Will it become a high-fueled drama of betrayal, and force her to pay tuition and return the money she got? Her plans to avoid keeping the issue coming up clash with Miori wanting to show her appreciation for everything Rie did for them. She does get away with it, but after returning, Berna notices the obvious, setting up the reveal for the last episode next week. An episode a bit more different than usual, with less of the antics, but it kinda makes sense if they wanted to end with the big reveal. B

The Urban Legend Files

(ch 33) So, in this parallel world Mokume never quite solved how to beat the Teketeke and Kugutsu never survived that encounter, sending her into complete desperation before finally shutting herself off from the real world. Kugutsu is shocked to hear he's dead here, but has a plan to bring Mokume back: to re-enact their first encounter with the supernatural. Sure, he might complain a lot and he's betting his life this might bring her back, but since he goes through all this dumb shit anyway being an occult magnet, might as well do it with someone who has fun in that and is adorable. Also, c'mon man, don't say parallel world Gonsuke looks more like a cryptid ape.

Axed Mangaka and Doujin Creator

What was on?

Witch Hat Atelier

(ep 10) Turns out Coco is fine, just overworked herself, and while Qifrey is looking out for her, his water skills are needed as a fire broke out in the city. He reluctantly leaves her as they go to the scene, assured by Coco's words she was doing better. Which was a lie, as Tartah comes back desperately trying to find his witch hat that serves as a ticket to the ferry back home, she's burning up, and with nobody else around, he tries to help her, but the medicine tray is not labelled and seeing everything in silver tones means he can't tell anything apart, and if he has the right idea of using the vapor bubble to reduce each the infusions on each flask to just what is on them, but if it's just dust he's stomped, so Coco draws a reverse version of the spell to turn rocks into dust that allows the dust to briefly regain the original form, but in her condition she can't do much. With that knowledge, he draws his first spell and tries to find it, the moment he's caught by the only person still working on the hospital who prepares and gives the medicine to Coco. Oh, that question about the light flash he wanted to ask Qifrey? What flash, he asks. Truly a man who knows how to lie. The decision to not label medicine in this world seems a bit weird as a narrative device, but I feel that (and how the witches are completely non-accommodating to people with his condition) kinda has to be understood with the knowledge Japan is still notoriously bad when it comes to dealing with disabilities, and this might be a comment from the author in that. Three episodes to go, meaning it's time for a end of season arc. A

The Ramparts of Ice

(ep 10) It's spring break and Miki got the other three to go on a theme park visit, where they have fun and we learn a lot about the characters, how Miki and Minato are scared on haunted houses and Koyuki and Minato aren't great with thrill rides, and Minato is great at carnival games and won Koyuki a late birthday present. Back at school it's a new semester and everyone is on the same class, including Tsukiko, who's welcomed into the group instantly, and Minato gets instantly jealous of seeing Miki's younger brother, Tsuikiko notices there's something going on between Minato and Koyuki and faces the tough decision of being a third wheel or a letting them alone, and curiosity end up getting the best of her. Because you can't do Ramparts of Ice without a cliffhanger, Koyuki also notices someone has moved in to the same school... the younger sister of the girl who bullied her. A very fun episode where they continue to explore the existing dynamics between inside the group, and now Minato is getting as a big mess around Koyuki as Youta is around Miki. I don't think this is getting sorted in two episodes, but I do hope it also gets a second season down the line, or just runs through the Summer as well. A lot chibis this week (because everyone is having fun), and the animators decided to put some extra work in animating the scene Youta takes Koyuki to see the mascot. Didn't have to do that, it's fine they look like IM stickers, but glad they did. A

Ascendance of a Bookworm

(ep 9) Wilfried is still jealous of Rosemyne thinking she has it too easy, so she offers to trade places with him for a day knowing most of it is boring clerical (HAH!) work and being lightly bullied by Ferdinand into doing it right. He gets his ass beat playing cards by the orphans, is baffled by a book and can't learn the prayers because he's set on the life of a failson, and while Sylvester surely doesn't see anything wrong with his son, Ferdinand is like "throw his ass out, I don't care, he's an embarrassment". While for Rosemyne this is mostly just a way to get him off her back (and just go read for a full day), Ferdinand makes it veeeeeery clear if Wilfried continues on the path he might become the next archduke, but he's becoming his problem. Fun fun episode, with a dose of scary Ferdinand. B

Mao

(ep 10) Nanoka: "I'M SCARED DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE" (two minutes later) "I AM THE VANQUISHER OF FROGS". Yes, truly a frail girl. Meanwhile, Mao and Hyaka come up with a plan to trap whoever is out for him (and only him), the big revelation being that indeed, the person responsible was another acquaintance of Mao, a helper who was obsessed with learning spells and was responsible for creating the Byouki. As the giant talking cat's head said, both of them were framed, and by whom is the main mystery of the show. Solid episode, and although the CGI was a bit evident in parts, excellent visuals in the water monster, with the details of having fish swimming inside it being quite a nice touch. B

The Food Diary of Miss Maid

(ep 11) Nana sees Suzume talking on the street with someone she doesn't recognize and doesn't know an appropriate way to approach her, until they notice her and Nana recognizes Anzu as their neighbour, and all three go to Suzume's place to try the stollen she bought, as it's getting closer to Christmas. Second story, she walks in on her grandfather writing in advance his New Year's cards, and after telling him she passed by "christmas tree with an orange star", he tells her that was a persimmon tree, and someone happens to have given him a bunch. Then winter solstice night, and she's taking a yuzu bath, but the fragance is too much for her and she ends up getting a yuzu flavoured ice cream, then it's Christmas Eve proper, but with Ricotta out to spend it with her family, her parents and neighbours are busy and she's visiting her grandparents next day and has no plans, but Ricotta decided to stay to keep her company, waiting for her in an absolutely incredible kimono - maid apron - thick jacket combo and some Christmas cake, a staple of Christmas themed episodes, the best Christmas gift Suzume ever got. It's ending next week, and it has been such a fun way to end writing these posts, not the last time I'll talk of it as Suzume and Ricotta are for sure making an appearance in the best girls and gremlins of this year, and this episode probably sorted out the "Merry Christmas" post of this year. B This week's delicacies: Stollen, Persimmon, Yuzu and Christmas cake.

Gals Can’t Be Kind to Otaku!?

(ep 9) We all seen on the first episode how Seo met Ijichi and Amane, but how did the gals become friends? Of course Amane looked at Ijichi and noticed right away how much she looks like Micchi from Glittermon, making her extremely awkward around Ijichi and making her think she dislikes her, and knwoing her Sayu clocked Amane's lies on how she has a lot of friends right away because she knows the truth that she might be pretty, but still an otaku. Ijichi then messes up by inviting her to hang out at the arcade, and then half the class including boys, making Amane really mad at her initially, and then reassessing the situation feeling really bad about it, particularly after learning Ijichi had a complete plan to make her feel welcome. They made up, and next, we get the eraser scene from Amane's otaku point of view. This is a reminder there has to be a cosplay episode down the line, but also that Ijichi and Amane are very different people, and them coming together was not just some "the two popular gals just decided to team up" moment but Ijichi actually putting in the work so that Amane would have at least her as a friend. A

Botan Kamiina Fully Blossoms When Drunk

(ep 9) Happy Pride month, and for that, this show has gone gay gay. No teasing here, but first things first, Gujou finally gets her wish of drinking with Ibuki, joined by the resident gremlin Chang. Who likes watching expensive cars crashing at Nurbugring. Well, you can too, go wild. She's the best, you can bet she also sometimes stays up until 4pm watching the most random shit on youtube. Ibuki is still a bit anxious about drinking with other people, but just did that thing you imagine everyone naked. Well, it's usually the people in the room, not Botan, but whatever works, Ibuki. It doesn't quite work for Gujou, who realises her love is going to be unrequited. Second story, Ibuki and Botan go on another stargazing trip, this time real ones, but something is bothering Botan: should she confess? Or should she just stay quiet and enjoy their time together? As this happens, Gujou and Chang are also on a trip of their own, but Chang's mouth really is faster than her brain, a feat for someone struggling with the language. Gujou knows she's defeated because Botan managed to reach out to Ibuki and make her feel comfortable with her, and with herself. And now both also know it. Another show with some excellent direction, but that's almost a given at this point. It's one of those shows I often complain that is on a different level in terms of direction, but because it's a quite slow show with some artwork that occasionally is more stylised than concerned with showing all the extra frames they added in the animations it's probably going to be completely ignored by flashier, more popular action shows. I was expecting this would happen a lot closer to the end, if not the actual finale, so let's see where the last three episodes go. S

Fist of the North Star

(ep 11) Kenshiro returns, and discovers from Rin and Bat they found out a village that will take the kids in exchange for him to deal with some troublemakers. Not just a village, but one that seems closer to sustainability thanks to a spring fountain. There, Kenshiro meets Rei, master of Nanto Suichouken, who has a score to settle with the man of the seven scars on his chest, and Mamiya, the village leader, who looks like Yuria and more than capable of holding her own in a fight with the deadliest weapon someone could imagine in the 1980s: yo-yo's. Ok, hers have blades, but if you ever hit your head (or someone's head) with one, you know how the good ones can really ruin your day. The village is under threat, and Rei had actually partnered up with the bandits, but after seeing Kenshiro doing an impromptu looksmaxxing clinic on a guy realises who has the upperhand here and joins him in protecting the village. The bandits do have one more ace in the sleeve in the form of Mamiya's younger brother, but as usual, only makes Kenshiro angrier and more willing to explode their skeleton off. Kinda curious to know if this is ending next week or the week after (although, strange to have people in the OP that only stay for a couple of episodes, and I don't think there's time in one episode to solve the beef Rei has with Kenshiro and also this area's boss), but weirdly for a show that is probably getting a high D, would I welcome a second season or taking this into the Summer? Oddly, yes. This episode felt like it had better animation overall even in the slower moments and as I've mentioned before, the moment you realise you don't have to take it seriously you can just have fun with it. C

Pardon the Intrusion, I’m Home!

(ep 9) So, the show has now shifted attention into what's exactly Akito up to. Usada thinks he's a horror writer, which isn't great for Akito's relatioship with Meiko who's very squeamish, then he brings up Meiko's favourite non-manga author as he gets pissed at Usada, making him think he really is the author, and gets Usada's mid racing about exposing him, but none of them end up playing well for him... and Akito isn't him, anyway. Well, at least they just flirted with the idea Akito was the author instead of running with it which would have been predictable as fuck (do hope this isn't some fakeout), but it remains kinda weird why he's so defensive about his pen name. C

Ichijouma Mankitsu Gurashi!

(ep 9) Ah, the thing I always dislike with these shows, the last minute character introduction with two or three episodes to go. As I always say, this is an adaptation, unless there's some plot order to be followed, you can have them on the first episode if you want. She's a streaming rival of Marika, and her popularity is harming the pantless gremlins' numbers, but first things first, it's storage room clean up time, and between a box with Mariko's dark past, Rie forgot she bought a purikura booth for Hedgehog because she of course did. Then someone kidnaps Mariko, and the girls combine their powers, including Michika who can somehow catch her scent, and they track her to her streaming rival who lives in a palace in, the Middle East (or a very elaborate theme park), who kidnapped her because she looks a lot like Sailor Kirakira Moon, a character from a manga, but has since became a complete slob from working in Hedgehog and so she wants her to stop working there and stay with her. But cute Mariko is a flop, straight to the top of unsubs because people want to see the panty-flashing slob, so she lets her go back, but sends her maid to keep an eye on her. It may do the thing I don't like, but that doesn't mean I don't like the result, a very fast paced episode that keeps adding to the previous joke. B

Dropkick on my Devil!

(ch 294) Jashin-chan is stuck in her Perfect Form, which brings several problems: first, she must dress up, one thing is a snakewoman with lady godiva hair other is on an actual woman, and then, how much of the whole thing is she trying to dropkick Yurine with her snake tail? Is Perfect Form Jashin-chan still Jashin-chan? Can you keep doing Dropkick on my Devil! if she's just a regular gremlin? If the videoclip that got me to watch the show featured just a blonde gremlin jumping from behind a wall to steal and overpay for a leek, would I still be on the "hell yeah I must watch this" camp? Much to think about.

Monochrome Days