Ayy, Izz That Anime Roundup Time With Your Boii— (Spring + Summer 2018)

That's right. It's a double whopper this time around.

Taking a small break from finishing up the next chapters of Perhaps Death, which I'll get to past all the stuff below. The block is starting to settle in and I'm trying my best to chip away at it before it solidifies and melts my mind in languor.

As usual, I won't be covering any ongoing anime I'm still watching (Attack on Titan and Banana Fish). If something's missing from this season, it's because I didn't watch them or it didn't hold up my interest to formulate a proper opinion. If there is a show that I missed out that you think I should watch, do give it a shoutout at the comments and I'll pick it up in no time!

Since I'm covering the past two seasons, we'll start obviously with the spring season, beginning with our leftovers from the winter period:

SPRING 2018

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Grancrest Senki

"You've always been thoughtful and risked your life for me. So I've always lived up to that and tried to protect you."

Proper fantasy shows in anime are a rarity. These days, most of them would usually utilize the isekai trope (protagonist is trapped in another world) in place of an actual character. The arrival of Grancrest was definitely one I welcomed, though it did get off on a rocky start. There's an exposition dump for most of the first half of the show, many of them explaining the system of magic and feudality in the world, as well as introducing all the powers at play and the grand cast of characters involved in it.

Past that point, however, we have a show that, while still too fast-paced for a story with a magnitude that could rival that of Game Of Thrones, still manages to entertain with all the sometimes-graphic battles and the character moments in between. Perhaps if it was remade with a much larger episode count and a better production team + schedule, it would've been a show that could be talked about by many. Until then, however, one can only be content with what we have been offered.

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Darling In The FranXX

"I think I have taken a liking to you. Won’t you be my darling?”

Oh boy, where do I begin with this.

Anyone who's an anime fan in recent memory would know about this show's existence. It's a rollercoaster ride, both emotionally and narratively. It has a lot going for it, while at the same time has its drawbacks as well. Personally, I've wholeheartedly enjoyed the show. I found myself warming up and getting attached to most of the characters all throughout, which may be perhaps why I've enjoyed the last part more so than most people when the show suddenly took a narrative nosedive without pumping the brakes. I think when it comes to wonderful moments of character and conflict, this show has plenty of them, particularly in the first half. I just wished the second half had the same narrative and thematic consistency as it did the first, because I think the foreshadowing up to that point was spot on. I still recommend it, but this is one show that not everyone's going to like, no question.

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Tokyo Ghoul:re

"The sorrows of life, to not be able to live like yourself. The joys of life, to be able to die like yourself. Do I deserve to be so happy?"

I have a lot of reservations going into this due to most of the news coming out from this project and unfortunately, my worries were well-founded. Anyone who's been a fan of the Tokyo Ghoul manga can tell you that the show would never be able to live up to the same standards, especially with the release of the abysmal Tokyo Ghoul √A. This show suffers from the same consequences, its mediocrity not helped by the inconsistent, choppy animation. Good music, sure, but nothing else otherwise. Even the fight scenes, which should be a highlight of this show, were boring and uneventful. Doesn't help that the narrative is rushed and the pacing is all over the place as well. This adaptation gave me a sour taste in my mouth and I just hope in the future, another more proficient studio could take a crack at this just so I can wipe this show away from memory.

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Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Die Neue These - Kaikou

"We may be losing this battle right now, but all that matters is that, in the final moment, we are the victors."

The original Legend Of The Galactic Heroes which came out back in the 80s is considered a classic anime, thanks to its still relevant commentary of sociopolitics that I find resonate now more than ever. This new adaptation seeks to recreate its majesty for a new generation and, I gotta say, it definitely did its job well. Even back in the day, the show displays brilliantly just how captivating the characters and their philosophies are, and to see all of them come back with a fresh new face, not to mention the space battles being more engaging at easier to make out, is definitely worth the wait. Highly recommend this just for the characters alone.

Also, the opening sounds eerily similar to Starship’s Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now.

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Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online

"There are too many things in real life I resent or I can't do anything about, so I let loose here."

I'll admit, I didn't expect to enjoy this show as much as I did going into it. Like with Sword Art Online, the show basically weaves a story that comments on virtual reality being a thin line between fantasy and reality, this time utilizing the whole battle royale FPS genre. It's not as deep as I'm making it sound, but what I can say is that it's sheer, undiluted fun. The shootouts and high stakes really make this show a more entertaining watch, even if the characters and their motivations can seem a little clunky. It's a show I enjoyed from start to finish and I recommend giving this show a go if you're a big fan of PUBG and Fortnite. It's fun, and that's really all you need to know about that.

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Megalo Box

"They don't make tombstones for stray dogs."

A boxing show that celebrates the average Joe fighting his way from seedy underground rings to a championship match of the ages. Underdog stories always strike a special place in my heart, so I had no qualms putting this show on my watchlist. Coming out of it, I'd say it's a captivating tale told with style and grace, even if it doesn't do anything different to play with our expectations like most stories of its kind before it. The art style and palette are rough and gritty, the animation during scenes of combat had a lot of weight, the soundtrack evocates perfectly the moods of every scene, and the characters play off of each other really well, their motives all sympathetic whether it be friend or foe. Like with most anime, I don't know if it's a show that I'll come back to, but it's definitely an entertaining show all around. Highly recommend this.

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Hisone to Maso-tan

"I'm always hurting the people around me and ruining the mood. But, even still, you wanted me, didn't you?"

A coming of age story told underneath the guise of dragons being part of the Air Force and piloted by young girls? As you’d be able to tell, this is a really quirky show, for reasons good and bad. The animation is vibrant and expressive, easily capturing the whimsical glee the cast of characters seem to have in general despite their profession as part of the air force. The comedic moments are on point, with some running gags here and there that never seem to become tiring thanks to how they were all utilized. On the contrary, I find the story and its core themes became a little muddled underneath it all as it went on, and sometimes the same quirkiness bleeds a little too much in the characters' decisions in the most pivotal points of the plot. Nevertheless, this was a show that stuck to its guns and told a really strange yet really familiar tale of bonds and belonging. Also, the ending is a French song! Give it a shot!

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Tada-kun wa Koi wo Shinai

"I bet you've been living your life wishing to be stronger ever since that day."

A show that follows our eponymously-titled high school student with a love of photography who meets a foreigner that is actually a princess of another country. Romantic comedies in anime are tricky for me to recommend, mostly because most of them rely more on the comedy side of things than the romance, and as we all know, comedy is subjective. This show has some good comedic moments, particularly in the episodes in the middle. There were some gags this show runs on that I found tiresome over time, as well as the general tropes one would find in anime, though I'd say the romantic aspects of the show stand out instead of being bogged down to death like most shows liked to do. The show doesn't hesitate to get serious either when it needs to, instead of dipping its toes in the pool like most romcoms in the genre would, though it doesn't overstay its welcome either to kill the mood. I think the only major gripe is that the ending was just too rushed and that the potential romantic paths for the rest of the cast could've been explored instead of left hanging in the air, especially when those relationships are worth rooting far as our main couple. Nevertheless, the show does a good job of telling its story, I'll give it that. Just wished it could give me more.

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Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii

"I’d make sure that you’d never say that you made the wrong choice. And I can go with you to the event next weekend as your sales assistant."

The second romantic comedy of the spring season, this one features adults in a workplace instead of the usual high-schooler routine, so that by itself already won me over. Them being total nerds are just the icing on the cake. The first episode had the main characters already beginning to date, with the remainder showcasing them as they work through their insecurities and figure out their relationship together. With every heartwarming moment, there’s also all the hilarity before it, sprinkled with references to Japanese otaku culture in large volumes. I can’t say if the comedy would work for everyone, but I can definitely declare the romance between our characters always leaves me feeling warm and fluffy in the end. Highly recommended.

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Hinamatsuri

"She’s totally useless, but she could at least be a mascot."

Quote pretty much sums up the show. Basically, a yakuza guy had an encounter with our titular character, a young girl who’s also a powerful esper from space. The comedy of Hinamatsuri is dry, slapstick, snarky and even absurd at times. This show had me laughing my gut out every chance it got, joke after joke hitting my funny bone without ever missing. The fact that this show comes with a lot of heartwarming and tear-jerky moments as well makes this show all the more impressive. Despite the characters never quite breaking from their comedic mold, this show always finds new ways to pit them against each other. Definitely one to watch.

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SUMMER 2018

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Persona 5 The Animation

"Now is the time to rise against the the abyss of distortion in this world."

Persona 5 was one of the most critically acclaimed video games of the past year, so it should stand to reason that there would be an anime adaptation for it in vein of its predecessors. Suffice to say, the show itself was okay. Definitely has its fair share of moments, with a few original and memorable moments not in the game, but overall, it was alright. The animation wasn’t really as great as it should’ve been, which is a shame considering the vibrant style of the Persona series as a whole. Fans of the game would come out indifferent, if not disappointed, at the adaptation, though for those willing to hop in for the first time, this show can be a good start.

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Boku no Hero Academia 3rd Season

"Next, it’s your turn."

Yep, this show still has it. Three seasons in and it’s still giving us some of the craziest fight scenes and most remarkable character moments of the medium in recent memory. It’s hard to say anything more than what’s being said, other than this show deserves the popularity and praise it’s been showered up to this point so far. Having read the manga and knowing what’s to come in season 4 — and yes, there’s going to be a season 4 — I can safely say that this show still has a lot to offer up its sleeve, so if you haven’t picked this up yet, now’s a good time to do so! Plus Ultra!

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Chio-chan no Tsuugakuro

"Why is this happening? What did I do to deserve this?"

One of the season’s comedies, every episode of this show focuses on our titular protagonist making her way to school and getting herself into the most absurd of situations on the way. This show has a lot of gut-bursting moments, with every episode always trying the best to outdo the one before it. I think for some, the randomness may get stale fast, especially when one isn’t invested in this kind of comedy in the first place, but anything that manages to make me laugh is a hit for me. Recommended.

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Planet With

"I’ll never forget that I was once happy."

I think Geoff of Mother’s Basement summed it all up best on what I like about this show in his video. This show is weird, no doubt about it, but there’s a lot more that’s woven beneath all that weirdness that asks a lot of rather serious questions. I do think some people might get turned off from this show due to the themes it possesses being in stark contrast to just how wacky everyone and everything is, but in this case, it’s done quite nicely in my opinion. I recommend it wholeheartedly, though keep in mind that there’s a lot of subversion of tropes and expectations all around, so do go in with an open mind.

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Sirius the Jaeger

"The two worlds may collide but will never stand together."

The first episode of this show gave me high hopes for someone who went in blind. I was immediately soaked in by the tone it was going for, as well as the mix of fantasy in early 20th century history. However, as subsequent episodes went on, the show never seems to really gain its footing, stumbling over various plot points and taking us on a long winding journey when it really should’ve just jumped towards telling the tale of brotherhood and revenge it was going for all this time. In the end, what I got was a mediocre show, but really, anything mediocre frustrates me for all the lost time I could have gained from doing something else.

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Angolmois: Genkou Kassenki

"We are not going to lose anyone anymore!"

Ghost of Tsushima: The Anime. Like with the upcoming game, this show focuses on the Mongol invasion of Tsushima. I’ll come out and say that the animation gradually does get clunkier as the show goes on. Throughout the show, there’s also a faint, murky sepia filter of sorts— a creative decision, I’m sure, but it leaves a lot to be desired. Looking beyond that, however, the plot itself is solid, focusing mainly on a band of exiles who were tasked with defending the island, and the many trials and tribulations they have to go through, with some interesting twists and turns along the way. Now, if you know your history, you’ll know what happens at the very end. Nevertheless, the story still plays its cards well, and for that I recommend giving this show a shot. Also, great opening and ending song!

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Asobi Asobase

— ”Hey, what’s shogi?”
— “A sport wherein one fires laser beams from their butt.”

Undoubtedly the show with the most misleading opening this season, this is another gut-punching, sometimes gut-wrenching comedy that surrounds the antics of three high school girls in a club that explores Japanese pastime games. The humor of this show is absurd, with the punchlines almost always coming out of the left field. The crudely-drawn facial expressions littered throughout the show are a treat to really hammer home just how insane this show’s willing to go. In the long run, however, I’m not sure if this show really sets out to do anything other than to entertain, but it definitely did one heck of a good job doing it.

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Happy Sugar Life

"I’ll protect our love no matter what."

First off, profoundly great opening song.

Second, this show definitely doesn’t shy away with how psychopathic the characters generally are despite its cutesy facade. Throughout the show’s run, there seemed to be only one character in the whole cast that still had their bearings intact. As the episodes went by one by one, the horror aspect of the show starts to escalate, and once it past a certain point of no return, that’s when I’m ready to let go of my suspension of disbelief and just hang on. Overall, I believe it’s to the show’s detriment on just how insane everything was, though I can’t argue that it has its moments.

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Satsuriku no Tenshi

"Don’t you dare let anyone else kill you!"

I found myself wanting to watch this show after getting a taste from the trailers, particularly since the game it was adapted from was from a horror JRPG akin to Ib and The Witch’s House. Suffice to say, I came away from this show rather disappointed. Despite the Christian imagery and callbacks to God, this show was generally style over substance, with a lot of dull character moments and progression, a skeletal plot, and just an overall sense of direction. All I can say is that the show should’ve been a lot more creative with handling the story, especially since these sorts of stories are best told in their original video game format. Perhaps if they expanded it beyond the game and took a few liberties, the show would be better off.

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Hanebado!

"What am I playing badminton for?"

The eternal question of sports anime: what am I playing *insert sport here*for? This show gives us a more straightforward answer to that question, though I can't say if it was worth the melodramatic twists and turns it took to get there, especially when one of the issues standing in its way involves the mother of one of the characters. It's... unrealistic? To the point where it really just angers me? The show's handling of the situation was hilariously awful and it really paints the mother in a bad light. Apart from that, however, the animation really shines through in the matches, and I'll admit, living in a country where badminton is a popular pastime, I was engaged with every single one of them. The cast of characters are strong, held back only by the directions the show underwent. Ultimately, this show is a great look into the sport, though it's one that mired by a melodramatic plot that sacrifices nuanced storytelling for faltering attempts at stirring our emotions.

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Overlord III

"That isn't something humans can win against."

God, this show.

Been a big fan of this show's antics since the first season back in 2015 and I gotta say, the way things have been heading towards are downright interesting and amazing. This show does do a great job of reminding us that the characters we're rooting for are villains with a moral compass that can't go any more south had it tried, though I still can't bring myself entirely to go against them save for a few certain cases. Nevertheless, the usage of 3D effects this season are glaringly abysmal, and it does leave me concerned on the future of this show a little, but I can say wholeheartedly say that up to this point, it has been one heck of a ride. Long live the Sorcerer King.

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Hataraku Saibou

"I'm going to keep delivering oxygen until the very end! Because that's our job!"

I always find edutainment to be a tricky genre to manage, which is why I'm glad to see this show being pushed into the scope of the general anime-viewing audience. The way the human body is portrayed in the show is brilliant, with the small details the original creator puts into his work a strong indicator that he did his research. It's really hard for me to put this show into words because of how niche and unconventional this idea really is, but what I can say is that I came away with each episode smiling and a little more knowledgable than before. This is definitely one of the better shows of the season, and for an edutainment show in such a saturated field, that's saying a lot.

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Grand Blue

"Isn't this a diving club?"

I gotta admit, this was an adaptation that a lot of people didn't see coming, mostly because of the portrayals of underage drinking in the source material. I guess bumping up the ages of the characters does help it a little? In a way? Nevertheless, the show is still funny and quirky, and I think diving does play some role in this, but whatever. At its best, the comedy is hilarious and on point, the characters are a lovable bunch and the story, while never really aiming for something, does throw in a few moments of introspection here and there, only to be sucker-punched by the next hilarious moment in the story. I do think, however, that as great as the show is currently, it never quite managed to reach its true potential as the manga did, and that is mostly due to the animation being conventional and one-note. Nevertheless, I do recommend this show as an introduction into the world of Grand Blue. It's not the best adaptation possible, but it's one that still encapsulates what makes the source material so great in the first place. Watch this if you want a laugh!

This post took quite some time to make, especially since my schedule these days is a little out of whack. I gotta admit though, I'm fairly disappointed with how medicore this past two seasons have been, as there was never really a show that could fill the gaping hole that Made In Abyss and Land of the Lustrous left. Nevertheless, I do hope we get something in this current Fall season, if not the next one, that could achieve that!

Onto the stories, the long-delayed chapter of Perhaps Death is coming out in the next few days, I can guarantee that. Once that's out, I'll be working on the next one straight away. There's a lot of developments I need to make regarding that story, especially since the show's new season is coming out, so do be on the lookout!

As for Panthalassa, I'm tweaking the sequence of events a little so that everything makes sense. I'm also trying to properly cement the science behind it all so I don't get mixed up with everything down the line, especially since it's all going to play an integral role in the story later on.

Either way, it's going to be a productive October for me. WritingSpirit, signing out!