Month: November 2021

Categories
Anime Reviews First Impressions Reviews

Autumn 2021 First Impressions – My Senpai is Annoying

Streaming: Funimation

Episodes: 12

Source: Manga

Episode Summary: Futaba Igarashi is a sales worker who’s been on the job for several months, but it can be difficult for some folks reconcile that fact with her short stature and occasionally child-like mannerisms. Her Senpai, a large, loud-mouthed man named Harumi, often treats her like a kid sister, tousling her hair affectionately even as he’s also providing her guidance and advice around the job. Despite that, their relationship is generally positive.

When the time comes to present a big sales proposal, Harumi gives the responsibility to Futaba since she’s done the legwork and knows all the figures. All seems to go well… until the client uncovers some issues with the order form that Futaba assembled. As Futaba struggles to emotionally deal with her error, Harumi works long hours in the background to fix things. With things back in shape, the two go out drinking to celebrate – and the alcohol causes Futaba to be a bit loose about her feelings toward her senpai.

Continue reading “Autumn 2021 First Impressions – My Senpai is Annoying”
Categories
Anime Reviews First Impressions Reviews

Autumn 2021 First Impressions – The Faraway Paladin

Streaming: Crunchyroll

Episodes: 12

Source: Light Novel

Episode Summary: Will only has vague memories of his former life; the bits and pieces that he can recall speak to an aimlessness that he once believed would doom him to hell. When he awakens in a temple as a baby, surrounded by three undead figures, he believes that this has come to pass. However, Mary, Blood, and Gus are actually kind and mostly harmless, choosing to raise Will together.

As Will grows, he learns fighting and hunting from Blood, magic (for which he seems to have a particular aptitude) from Gus, and many of life’s smallest (but often most important) lessons from Mary. But each of these individuals seems to carry a hidden sadness that Will is only able to perceive on the most basic level, and they’re reticent to share any details of what is likely a very painful secret with Will, beyond that they made a deal with the god of the undead to remain on earth after death. As he gets older his curiosity starts to get the best of him; when he follows Mary to one of her daily prayers, Will comes away with dire injuries. But through the experience he learns of Mary’s persistence and piety and he grows closer to her.

Continue reading “Autumn 2021 First Impressions – The Faraway Paladin”
Categories
Anime Reviews First Impressions Reviews

Autumn 2021 First Impressions – Visual Prison

Streaming: Funimation

Episodes: 12

Source: Original

Episode Summary: Ange Yuki enjoys the singing and visual stylings of an old visual kei band called “Eclipse,” which has been away from the scene for quite a while. This makes their sudden return (leaping from a helicopter) a very welcome surprise. However, the band seems to have a different, much more sinister air, and with only two of the original members, it’s definitely not the same. They also seem to be competing with another band called “Lost Eden,” whose members do much less to hide their disdain for the captive audience around them. Ange becomes overwhelmed during the performance and nearly passes out, before being rescued by a passer-by.

That random interloper turns out to be Guil, former front man for Eclipse, now seemingly retired from his life of performance. He sees something interesting in Ange, and when Ange begins to sing this confirms his power within. Ange is acknowledged by the scarlet moon, something which can only be seen by vampires. This allows him to compete for a special prize – a power known as “Visual Prison.” But Ange is even more special – as a Dhampir (a half-vampire), he piques the interest of both Eclipse and Lost Eden. But Guil seems intent on protecting this young man.

Continue reading “Autumn 2021 First Impressions – Visual Prison”
Categories
Anime Reviews First Impressions Reviews

Autumn 2021 First Impressions – Sakugan

Streaming: Crunchyroll

Episodes: 12

Source: Original

Episode Summary: Gagumber and Memempu are a father-daughter pair who are constantly at odds with one-another. Despite being a kid, Memempu is extremely precocious and a genius inventor; it’s her goal to become a Marker – an adventurer who explores the underground labyrinth connecting the various remaining human colonies that exist beneath the planet’s surface. Gagumber, despite being a bit of a goofball, still has his fatherly responsibilities to think about, and he doesn’t want his only child to run off and be needlessly killed by one of the terrifying kaiju roaming outside their city’s protective dome. The result of this is that the two consistently find themselves butting heads.

But Memempu has been seeing a mysterious place in her dreams, a white tower above the surface surrounded by beautiful fields. During a visit from Lynda and her father, both current Markers, Memempu receives a mysterious package that suggests her dream might be real. As she begs her father to let her go on a journey to find this place, the city is attacked by kaiju breaking in from outside. Despite the terror of the situation, Memempu still longs to explore. Gagumber decides that there’s only one thing for a father (and retired Marker) to do – go along on his daughter’s journey in order to protect her.

Continue reading “Autumn 2021 First Impressions – Sakugan”
Categories
Anime Reviews First Impressions Reviews

Autumn 2021 First Impressions – Muv-Luv Alternative

Streaming: Crunchyroll

Episodes: 12

Source: Game Series

Episode Summary: In 1973, aliens launched an offensive from the moon. The BETA as they came to be called, have since slowly spread out across the planet, killing humans and erecting hives in their wake in order to facilitate more destruction. Military units across the world have done what they can to try to hold back the BETA forces, but the aliens’ strength seems only to increase and the human population continues to diminish. The Western half of Japan has slowly been taken over by BETA, and in 1998 they are now in danger of taking over the rest of the country.

An evacuation order has already been issued as the Japanese military begins to detect movement at the bottom of the ocean near the city of Sadogashima. Because of their loss of life, they’re forced to use rookie pilots to man the Tactical Surface Fighters – mechanical armor that allows close-combat. Unfortunately, despite the passion of the soldiers, the sheer number of BETA, including several fortress-class entities with the power to break down the giant walls protecting the people inside, overwhelm them and they’re forced to evacuate. Sadogashima becomes the site of the 21st BETA hive.

Continue reading “Autumn 2021 First Impressions – Muv-Luv Alternative”
Categories
Anime Reviews First Impressions Reviews

Autumn 2021 First Impressions – Platinum End

Streaming: Funimation

Episodes: 24

Source: Manga

Episode Summary: Ever since the death of his family and his adoption by an unloving aunt and uncle, Mirai hasn’t felt happiness in his life. After his middle school graduation he walks to the roof of a tall building and leaps off its edge. However, before he hits the ground he’s rescued by an angel, glowing and clad in white, who claims to be his guardian angel. Her goal is to grant him happiness, and she provides him with the tools to do so – a red arrow that causes its targets to fall in love with him, and angel wings that grant him flight and super speed. Mirai doesn’t feel as though he’ll ever be happy, but his first flight is exhilarating and he begins to believe that his angel might be telling the truth.

The red arrow has the added benefit of its target doing whatever the caster asks, so Mirai uses it on his aunt to confirm a horrible truth – the accident that killed his other family members was actually a murder committed by his uncle and aunt. The magic of the arrow causes his aunt to atone for her sin through death and Mirai escapes into the night. Mirai’s guardian angel, called Nasse, fills him in on some other important details. There are 13 angel users around that are vying with one-another to become the next god – and now Mirai has become involved in this deadly quest.

Continue reading “Autumn 2021 First Impressions – Platinum End”