Tag: Spring 2019

Categories
Reviews

What I’m Watching – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Episodes 2-5

Read my first impressions Here!

Note: This post contains spoilers through episode 5 of the series.

Demon Slayer was an anime I was anxious to get back to primarily for reasons of its particular aesthetics. I’m more than willing to discuss plot lines and symbolism all day long, but I’m certainly not above enjoying an anime for its awesome animation and exciting fight scenes. So far, the series is definitely delivering on that front. What surprised me, though, is that its emotional intelligence has also managed to strike a chord with me.

Continue reading “What I’m Watching – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Episodes 2-5”
Categories
Reviews

What I’m Watching – Attack on Titan Episodes 50-55

Note: This post contains spoilers through episode 55 of the anime series.

Where could the owners of these cups be hiding? Screencap from Crunchyroll.

I seem to have a knack for rejoining anime series right before some kind of big-time achievement or revelation. Granted, the current season of Attack on Titan (and I’m including the “first half” of season 3 from late last year in this description) has been chock full of big answers and plot developments, so complaining about having to wait for another one probably sounds silly. That said, the title of episode 56 is “The Basement,” and any fan of the series who’s stuck around this long ought to understand the significance of that.

Continue reading “What I’m Watching – Attack on Titan Episodes 50-55”
Categories
First Impressions Reviews

Spring 2019 First Impressions – Shorts

We’re finally rounding the corner to home plate for the Spring 2019 anime season here at S1E1. Aside from some sequels to series I’m not far enough into to post an educated reaction (sorry, fans of Ace of Diamond, Bakumatsu Crisis, Strike Witches, and Isekai Quartet) and some Netflix-only series (I’m weeping for my lack of Carole and Tuesday right now), these are all we have. Normally with such short episodes I’ll watch at least a couple of episodes to get an impression of the series, rather than just one. Be aware that there may be more spoiler potential in these examples.

Continue reading “Spring 2019 First Impressions – Shorts”
Categories
First Impressions Reviews

Spring 2019 First Impressions – The Wise Man’s Grandchild

A powerful wizard and sage comes upon a baby whom he adopts and names Shin. The baby is actually a man from our world reincarnated into the sage’s world. The sage raises Shin, separated from the rest of society, and teaches him in the ways of magic. It is only when Shin turns 15 years old and sets out on his own journey that the sage remembers that he forgot to teach Shin the common sense and ways of this particular world. And so, Shin goes the capital of the Alsheid Kingdom to enroll in the capital’s magic academy. – ANN

Streaming: Crunchyroll and Funimation

Episodes: 12

Source: Light Novel

Episode Summary: One day, an elderly wizard named Merlin finds a baby in the wreckage from a demon attack. That baby, who he takes in and names Shin, becomes a boy with a special aptitude for magic. Merlin teaches Shin everything he knows, bringing in acquaintances to teach him the ways of the sword and magical garb. Soon Shin becomes a young man with a hold over magic that’s terrifying in its scope.

One of Merlin’s acquaintances invites Shin to attend a magic school in his country. There he can learn how his skills actually compare to those of his peers, as well as figure out some basic skills like buying food and interacting with other people his age. Shin starts to fill in his social gaps once he arrives; he rescues a couple of girls from a group of thugs, and becomes instantly and hopelessly smitten with one of them.

Continue reading “Spring 2019 First Impressions – The Wise Man’s Grandchild”
Categories
First Impressions Reviews

Spring 2019 First Impressions – The Helpful Fox Senko-san

Nakano is an employee of an exploitative “black” company, who meets a divine fox spirit named Senko. While she looks like a young girl, Senko is in fact 800 years old. She offers to spoil Nakano as much as possible, and begins looking after him.  – ANN

Streaming: Crunchyroll and Funimation

Episodes: 12

Source: Manga

Episode Summary: Nakano’s days are filled to the brim with mind-numbing office work. His workdays are so long that they’re literally beginning to suck the life out of him. He listlessly takes the last train home once again, and stumbles into his apartment only to find the door unlocked and the lights on. Inside is a honey-colored fox girl cooking dinner at Nakano’s stove.

The fox goddess on high has taken pity on Nakano’s plight, and sent Senko-san, one of her demigods, to help set things right. Though Nakano is a bit weirded-out by the presence of the youthful fox spirit, it’s hard to argue with a hot meal, a good cup of tea, and a fluffy tail to pet. Senko-san asks for nothing in return, as her care is literally priceless; she chalks this all up to the whim of an 800-year-old demi-god. But Nakano has the strange sense that he’s been in the presence of this particular spiritual being before.

Continue reading “Spring 2019 First Impressions – The Helpful Fox Senko-san”
Categories
First Impressions Reviews

Spring 2019 First Impressions – Sarazanmai

One day, three second-year middle school students — Kazuki Yasaka, Toi Kuji, and Enta Jinai — meet a kappa-like creature named Keppi, who is the self-proclaimed heir to the throne of Kappa Kingdom. Keppi forcibly takes the students’ shirikodama (a mythical organ kappa steal through a person’s anus) and they are transformed into kappa. Keppi informs them, “If you want to return to your former selves, you need to connect in ‘that way’ and you must bring me the shirikodama of zombies.” At the same time, two policemen, Reo Niiboshi and Mabu Akutsu, try to do something at the police box where they are stationed. – ANN

Streaming: Crunchyroll and Funimation

Episodes: 11

Source: Original

Episode Summary: In Asakusa, images of the Kappa yokai abound. But little did Kazuki, Toi, and later Enta suspect that the golden kappa statue within the local shrine housed inside it a real, live kappa. After running into Kazuki again by accident, Toi’s violent defense of his own illegal activities knocks the statue off its base; when they return to the scene of the crime later on, Prince Keppi of the Kappa Kingdom appears before them in a poof of purple smoke. When the boys mistakenly refer to Keppi as a frog, he punishes them by stealing their shirikodama (an organ in the anus housing human desires) and turning them (and later Enta) into kappa.

Their ticket back to humanity relies on their ability to team up and steal the shirikodama of zombies – poor humans consumed by their own artificially-augmented desires. The only catch is that, once doing so, the three boys’ own deep, dark secrets are revealed to one-another. As the trio completes the Sarazanmai, Kazuki’s secret is thrust out into the open. This is embarrassing, but could this be a way for him to seek the connections he desires?

Continue reading “Spring 2019 First Impressions – Sarazanmai”
Categories
First Impressions Reviews

Spring 2019 First Impressions – Why the Hell Are You Here, Teacher?

High school student Ichirō’s female teacher Kojima-sensei is famous for being a “demon teacher.” However, in front of Ichirō she seems to be air-headed and clumsy, and he keeps finding himself in perverted situations with her in places like the in men’s bathroom, in the men’s bathhouse, in the pool, at the school infirmary, and elsewhere. – ANN

Streaming: Crunchyroll and Hidive

Episodes: 12 (12 minutes apiece)

Source: Manga

Episode Summary: Ichiro has to use the restroom, and the most private place to do his business is an out-of-the-way men’s restroom on the school grounds. He doesn’t expect to see anyone, but when he opens the stall he’s surprised by none other than his female teacher, Kojima-sensei. The stall locks behind him, and the two wrestle with this uncomfortable reality until neither student nor teacher can “hold it” any longer.

The next week, Ichiro decides to cut class by hiding in the school infirmary, but coincidentally Kojima-sensei is there sleeping off a cold. She sends Ichiro to get her some medicine, but the only fever suppressant left in the cabinet comes in suppository form. Ichiro takes one for the team to help his teacher, but once she discovers that he’s skipping class, she returns the favor in the worst possible way.

Continue reading “Spring 2019 First Impressions – Why the Hell Are You Here, Teacher?”
Categories
First Impressions Reviews

Spring 2019 First Impressions – Afterlost

One day a town is annihilated. Yuki is a young woman who is said to be the only person left alive from the town after the annihilation, and Takuya is a loner and a smuggler. Together, with the letter left by Yuki’s father, they go toward the town, now called Lost, but unexpected obstacles stand in their path. The thoughts of those left behind, secret and mysterious organizations, and hidden conspiracies await Yuki and Takuya as they move closer toward the mystery behind Lost. – ANN

Streaming: Funimation and Hulu

Episodes: 12

Source: Smartphone Game

Episode Summary: Some years ago, a disaster obliterated a large part of the city, seemingly killing the entire population. Since then, the area has been cordoned off by the military, and one lone survivor, Yuki, has been held in captivity. Takuya is a courier who always gets the job done. Though it involves danger on his part, he kidnaps Yuki from the holding facility and brings her to his patrons. A coded message was received from inside the Lost, the destroyed city, and there’s reason to believe that Yuki’s father may be alive somewhere within its borders.

Takuya, intending to see his “delivery” job through to the end, calls upon several resources and prepares for the dangerous journey, but doesn’t expect the kind of telekinetic onslaught he and Yuki face while trying to make their way beyond the sealed perimeter. Yuki is, however, more than she seems – she did survive the initial disaster, after all. She calls upon powers of her own so that she and Takuya can make their way forward. There is, however, the Agency, and they catch Takuya off-guard. Will either Takuya or Yuki survive long enough to penetrate the Lost?

Continue reading “Spring 2019 First Impressions – Afterlost”
Categories
First Impressions Reviews

Spring 2019 First Impressions – NamuAmidaButsu! ~Utena~

The Thirteen Buddha, along with Taishakuten and Bonten, must confront the evil Māra. Māra seeks revenge against Shaka Nyorai, who had previously saved the world from suffering and conflict by achieving enlightenment. – ANN

Streaming: Crunchyroll and Hidive

Episodes: 12

Source: Game

Episode Summary: It’s been centuries since Taishakuten and Bonten have visited the material world, so when they easily dispatch a manifestation of human vice and want something else to do afterward, they’re thwarted by all the modern conveniences (like washing machines and supermarkets) that have appeared in the meantime. The other Buddha tell them to relax and enjoy their time on Earth, but sitting around is boring and they’re both chomping at the bit to rid the world of other vices.

Shaka Nyorai takes the two out on an instructional journey, and points out that all humans suffer from some sort of vice, though most are small. The heavenly inclination would be to dispatch them before they grow larger, but that would take every hour of every day in perpetuity. Part of being human is learning to thwart these things on one’s own, and thus Taishakuten and Bonten need to learn when to leave well-enough alone. Just as they are settling into Earthly life, however, the peace is disturbed by the presence of an old enemy.

Continue reading “Spring 2019 First Impressions – NamuAmidaButsu! ~Utena~”
Categories
First Impressions Reviews

Spring 2019 First Impressions – RobiHachi

In Neo Tokyo in the year G.C.0051, humans have known of aliens for the last 50 years and obtained super light-speed navigation technology and formed a commonwealth of planets. Self-proclaimed freelance reportage writer Robby Yarge fails at work, so his contract is cut. His girlfriend leaves him, he nearly dies in a traffic accident, and debt collectors are after him. One day, a bag snatcher steals Robby’s bag, and a young man helps him. Hatchi Kita, an 18-year-old part-time worker, catches the criminal and returns Robby’s bag. However, Hatchi turns up again in Robby’s life as a debt collector. Hatchi explains that it’s his part-time job working for the loan shark Yang. A cat-and-mouse chase begins, and Yang takes his subordinates Allo and Gras along for the ride. – ANN

Streaming: Funimation and Hulu

Episodes: 12

Source: Original

Episode Summary: Robby Yarge is in a bit of a financial pickle, having cultivated champagne tastes on a soda-pop budget. He’s averse to actually working, and he’s experienced the failure of several get-rich-quick schemes after striking out on his own from his wealthy family. But this latest investment won’t fail, he just knows it – even though it involves a loan from a mob boss and a highly questionable shrimp-farming business. Unfortunately, Robby’s seed funds (which he’s been toting around in a duffel bag) have been stolen right out of his hands. He’s only saved by the chance intervention of a man named Hatchi, who’s no superhero; he’s just a bored, gifted guy looking to inject some interest into his life.

After the two part ways, that seems to be that. Until Robby’s “investment” goes awry and Yang the loan shark comes calling. Hatchi’s taken a job as Yang’s collector, so he and Robby trade blows while Yang and his other cronies approach Robby’s apartment. As it turns out, Robby has one more trick up his sleeve – his abode is actually part of an old space ship. The bucket-of-bolts still works, and Robby pulls into space with Hatchi an unwilling stowaway. When Yang and company give chase, it turns out there’s yet another escape option; two single-pilot space planes (just the right number!) that join to form a giant robot!

Continue reading “Spring 2019 First Impressions – RobiHachi”