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First Impressions Reviews

Spring 2019 First Impressions – Kimetsu no Yaiba

Since ancient times, rumors have abounded of man-eating demons lurking in the woods. Because of this, the local townsfolk never venture outside at night. Legend has it that a demon slayer also roams the night, hunting down these bloodthirsty demons. For young Tanjiro, these rumors will soon to become his harsh reality. Ever since the death of his father, Tanjiro has taken it upon himself to support his family. Although their lives may be hardened by tragedy, they’ve found happiness. But that ephemeral warmth is shattered one day when Tanjiro finds his family slaughtered and the lone survivor, his sister Nezuko, turned into a demon. To his surprise, however, Nezuko still shows signs of human emotion and thought. Thus begins Tanjiro’s request to fight demons and turn his sister human again. – ANN

Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Hulu

Episodes: TBA

Source: Manga

Episode Summary: Tanjiro is a hard-worker and loves his family. As the new year approaches, he plans to sell as much hand-made charcoal as he can so that his mother and siblings will have enough food to eat for the celebration. He leaves for town in the morning, sells his wares (and uses his keen sense of smell so solve a few minor mysteries for the townspeople), only making his way back up the mountain as the moon rises. The old widower living along the mountain path warns of demons roaming the mountain at night, and convinces Tanjiro to stay the evening.

In the morning, Tanjiro arrives home to a horrific situation – the smell of blood lingers in the air and the bodies of his family are sprawled throughout the property. The only person left alive is his sister Nezuko, but she’s in poor shape. Tanjiro carries her through the snow to see a doctor, but when she awakens it’s clear that she’s undergone a horrible transformation. Nezuko has gained an extreme amount of strength and a lust for blood, and attacks her own brother in her rage. She’s gained the blood of the demons who attacked her family, and her senses have gone haywire. Tanjiro believes that his sister still exists somewhere, and he’ll do whatever he can to heal her of this demonic affliction.

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First Impressions Reviews

Spring 2019 First Impressions – We Never Learn: Bokuben

Yuiga is a student who is aiming for a scholarship because he comes from a poor family. His school gives him a condition: he can have a recommendation for a scholarship if he tutors his two beautiful classmates to help them get into the schools of their choice. Ogata may be a science genius and Furuhashi a literature prodigy — but Ogata is aiming for a liberal arts school and Furuhashi is aiming for a science school. And they’re both clueless outside their fields of expertise. – ANN

Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Hulu

Episodes: TBA

Source: Manga

Episode Summary: Yuiga isn’t the best student, but he studies hard and has high aspirations. When his principal offers a scholarship recommendation in exchange for Yuiga’s help tutoring some fellow students, Yuiga jumps at the chance. When he discovers that these students are none other than Ogata, a mathematical genius, and Furuhashi, an eloquent writer, he’s puzzled.

As it turns out, while the two have their talents, their passions lie within the subjects that they find more challenging. Yuiga invests a week in teaching them, but when their scores don’t improve he tries to call it quits. It’s only after learning each girl’s reasoning for trying to go outside their comfort zone that Yuiga recalls his father’s wisdom regarding learning and talent.

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First Impressions Reviews

Spring 2019 First Impressions – Kono Oto Tomare! Sounds of Life

Takezō is the last remaining member of the Koto club, a club dedicated to the traditional Japanese string instrument. If he doesn’t find new members, the Koto Club will be terminated. One day, Takezō is alone in the club room when a student barges in and demands to join. The student is delinquent Chika Kudō, a boy who even scares delinquent upperclassmen at other schools. – ANN

Streaming: Funimation and Hulu

Episodes: 12

Source: Manga

Episode Summary: As the last remaining member of the koto club, Takezo is in a tough position. If he doesn’t find some new recruits, the long-running club will be disbanded. However, the koto club room has been infested with ruffians and bullies and Takezo’s insistence that they leave has turned him into their target. When Chika Kudo, a delinquent whose history precedes him, tries to join the club, Takezo won’t accept it. This leaves Chika to use his threatening aura in order to get his point across.

Takezo soon learns that Chika’s reputation is unwarranted and the result of a grave misunderstanding by both the police and other adults. When history repeats itself and Chika is blamed for an attack on Takezo and the koto club room, Takezo insists on speaking the truth. This provides Chika a pathway to koto club membership, though his shaky relationship with Takezo may need as much nurturing as any musical ability.

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First Impressions Reviews

Winter 2019 First Impressions – Kaguya-sama: Love is War

Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane are two geniuses who stand atop their prestigious academy’s student council, making them the elite among elite. But it’s lonely at the top and each has fallen for the other. There’s just one huge problem standing in the way of lovey-dovey bliss—they’re both too prideful to be the first to confess their romantic feelings and thus become the “loser” in the competition of love. – ANN

Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Hulu

Episodes: 12

Source: Manga

Episode Summary: Kaguya and Miyuki are a perfect match for one-another. Kaguya is the pinnacle of old wealth who approaches life with a regal point-of-view. Miyuki comes from more modest origins, but makes up for that with his top-tier intelligence. Together they’d make a stunning romantic couple, but in an environment where confessing one’s feelings translates to revealing one’s weakness, love is much less a complicated dance than it is an all-out competition of strategic wit and cunning.

The student council office at Shuchiin Academy is the battle ground for these student leaders, who both have feelings for each-other but refuse to show their hand. Their tactics to catch each-other expressing their true feelings range from trickery, to manipulation, to outright desperation. But will this stubbornness ultimately result in unrequited feelings on both sides?

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First Impressions Reviews

Winter 2019 First Impressions – The Promised Neverland

Emma, Norman, and Ray are the three most brilliant children the Grace Field House has produced in decades. Unlike in a typical orphanage, they, and their fellow children, eat well and are given an intensive education. However, despite living in a peaceful environment with fun games and a caring mother, there’s something not quite right. When six year old Connie is “adopted” by foster parents, she forgets her favorite stuffed rabbit, and Emma and Norman sneak out to return it to her. When they arrive at the scene, the two realize exactly why they had always been isolated from the outside world. – ANN

Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu, and HIDIVE

Episodes: TBA

Source: Manga

Episode Summary: Emma, Ray, and Norman are three orphans at Grace Field House. Kind-hearted Emma loves all the other children deeply as members of the only family she’s ever known. They’re cared for by “Mom,” a kindly young woman who ensures their safety. The children spend their days learning and playing together among the fields and forests. However, they’re forbidden from approaching the gate or the fence that surrounds the property, because of untold dangers.

When Conny, one of the younger children, is adopted into a foster family, the other children wish her a tearful goodbye and ask her to write them letters before Mom escorts her to the world outside. Emma realizes that Conny left her favorite stuffed animal, and she and Norman rush to return it to her. As they approach the open gate, however, they discover something so terrible that, as the traumatic images begin to settle in, they realize that their only option is to plan an escape for themselves and the other children.

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