#shouju

Double Decker!

My Thoughts after 3 Episodes: This show continues to have a great premise, a colorful world, uniquely designed characters, but I’m ready for the actual plot to get going, Kirill is great and is a fun riff on his archetype, but let’s get into some high-stakes drug-busting already.

Status: Still watching, but ready for the plot to start.

Uzamaid!

My Thoughts after 3 Episodes: Uzamaid! has to walk an incredibly difficult tightrope in balancing its cuteness and comedy, with the controversial concept of its story. Some have already written this series off and that’s ok if you’ve done that. So far though I am having an absolute riot with our titular maid and her one of a kind design. Coupled with some touching moments about a girl trying to get past her mother’s death, I hope Uzamaid! can continue walking that tightrope all the way to the end of the season.

Status: Watching, laughing and enjoying, but praying Japan doesn’t let this veer into anything super creepy.

Goblin Slayer

My Thoughts after 3 Episodes: So now that all the anitubers, article writers and moral grandstanders have milked every drop of political and social capital out of the ‘most controversial anime of the year” how is Goblin Slayer holding up? Pretty well actually, I love the brutal atmosphere, the singular focus on ONE aspect of a fantasy world, and the music, characters, and action are holding strong. I’m in for the ride and counting the kills!

Status: Watching this show, loving it and it is 100% ok if you couldn’t.

Rascal does not dream of a Bunny Girl Senpai

My Thoughts after 3 Episodes: Bunny Girl Senpai has already had the best three episode run out of any series this year. Gentle, mysterious, melancholic and with two leads who just ooze chemistry, this is the sort of anime that people will be talking about for quite some time. I just hope now that the first story arc is finished, that Bunny Girl Senpai can continue to carry the torch.

Status: Loving every single second of this series.

Ulysses: Jeanne d’Arc and The Alchemist Knight

My Thoughts after 3 Episodes: This show feels like it should have been a two cour series because so far it’s got a fun premise and interesting take on the legend of Jeanne d’Arc (who Japan just seems to love lately) in a more fantasy version of France. It is just a shame that it feels like someone is holding down the fast-forward button on the story. Slow down, take a breath and pace yourself.

Status: Still watching, but the pacing needs to slow the fuck down

That Time I got Reincarnated as a Slime

My Thoughts after 3 Episodes: Unlike the Alchemist Knight, Slime is a two cour show and that is helping it greatly. By having 24 episodes to tell the story, Slime is using the time to slow down, take a breath and have its lead experience the world and his powers at its own pace. I’m sure the series will move faster once the main cast gets introduced, but right now I’m enjoying this leisurely stroll through familiar Isekai fun.

Status: Watching and glad this series has enough space to actually be slower paced.

Conception

My Thoughts after 2 Episodes: I knew the plot twist before going into this story and I was ok with it, but I can’t forgive breakneck pacing, no real explanation of what’s going on (seriously they say ‘go check the website’) and what seems like a bunch of video game cutscenes edited together. It’s a damn shame considering the art style is the same as ReZero, but sorry, I just couldn’t bother.

Status: DROPPED

Senran Kagura Shinovi Master

My Thoughts after 2 Episodes: I don’t know anything about the Senran Kagura franchise, but beggars can’t be choosers when the Ecchi offerings are super slim this time around. Actually airing completely uncensored on Crunchyroll, Senran Kagura is boilerplate, but it’s entertaining boilerplate that fills the ecchi quota and actually looks nice doing it.

Status: Watching it for the PLOT, and a little bit of the Plot.

My Sister, My Writer

My Thoughts after 2 Episodes: I am very forgiving of lackluster animation because I am aware of how awful Japanese animators can have it sometimes, but this? This looks SO FUCKING BAD, that I have to wonder if High School DxD HERO and How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord sucked up all the ecchi budget this year and this show was left with the remains. The story could be interesting if it wasn’t just an ecchi version of Eromanga-Sensei, but it just looks like complete ass.

Status: Dropping it after the next episode unless there is a miracle turnaround.

Golden Kamuy Season 2

My Thoughts after 2 Episodes: Golden Kamuy is still the freshest, well crafted and downright fun series it has been since the first season. Every time I think I might put it down, it pulls me right back in with great characters, great plot and a look into Japan that is rare in the rest of the industry. It is already my (non-ecchi) anime of the year and unless there is a massive dropping of the ball, that won’t change anytime soon.

Status: Live it, Love it, Watch it.