Fall 2020 – Week 4

And here we are for another week! Tonikawa was… interesting, Sleepy Princess is back to form, and more! Hit the jump and let’s run ’em down.

The shows that I’m watching are in bold, shows my wife and I are watching together are in bold italics, strikethrough marks dropped shows and (*) marks shows that are watched but not regularly reviewed.

Adachi and Shimamura
Adachi to Shimamura

I tried my Roku, PC, and tablet – and keep getting an error message from Funimation. Hopefully, this will get fixed soon as I’m actually wanting to see What Happens Next.

Dropout Idol Fruit Tart Episode 3
Ochikobore Fruit Tart

Mostly harmless hijinks before their first concert appearance…. Which, though it has a presenter and professional stage, was none-the-less in a parking lot. We also finally meet the fifth girl in OP, and it looks like she’ll be joining the Fruit Tarts come next episode. (Even though she works for a rival production company.)

That part that wasn’t mostly harmless was the unwelcome return of the sex-and-skin jokes. Why Fruit Tart? Why? They’re pretty obviously tacked on, and don’t really bring anything useful to the party. It’s not that I object to them per se, any longtime reader knows that. It’s that they seem to be dragged out whenever the show runs out of other ideas.

3rd episode status: Mild keeper.

Iwakakeru! Sport Climbing Girls Episode 4

I guess you could call this an interstitial episode? We get a quick return to Anti Monkey Rock, which Konomi conquers handily… And the rest of the episode is devoted to introducing the competition (way too many BTW) for the upcoming match.

Spending most of an episode in setup, I hope there’s more to the rest of the season than this singular tournament. There’s just not enough infrastructure in place yet.

I always laugh when sports anime pull this – setting up an odd internal mythology. They’re always so silly.

Also, they did drop an interesting detail… How is it that Konomi, a gamer (normally associated with being sedentary) so flexible? She was in ballet before becoming a dedicated gamer. It may be an *ss-pull, or a set-up for character development, but kudos for at least trying.

Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club
Love Live! Nijigasaki Gakuen School Idol Doukoukai

Not watched this week.

(*) The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc Episode 4
Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei: Raihousha-hen

TONIKAWA: Over The Moon For You Episode 4
Tonikaku Kawaii: Fly me to the Moon

OK, now this is just weird. We finally get a good look at Tsukasa’s background, and it leaves me with more questions than answers. She comes some kind of wealth, but it’s strongly implied that it’s not her natural habitat. Was she some kind of poor relation? Some kind of orphanage? Why did her guardians spend so much money making her happy?

Also, as a space nut myself, I’d like to point out that Nasa-kun gets this wrong… There have been nine lunar sample return missions. The six manned NASA missions, plus three unmanned Soviet missions. (Luna 16, 20, and 24.)

Ahh… But the end scene makes up for much. That kiss was so sweet and the scene so nicely done…

Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle Episode 4
Maou-jou de Oyasumi

Last week we were wondering if Sleepy Princess was running out of steam, or just having an off week. This week answered that question strongly, it was just and off week.

This week saw Syalis back to her usual self-centered murderous self. The Ice Golem/igloo segment was LOL funny, and among the best so far. The end, with all the demons wanting to cuddle the ridiculously cute chibi princess was priceless.

Given the nature of the show, off weeks are probably inevitable. So long as it keeps coming back strong, I’m happy.

Strike Witches: Road to Berlin
Dai-501 Tougou Sentou Koukuu Dan Strike Witches: Road to Berlin

I’m pushing to get this out earlier in the week (that’s always been my goal), so it hasn’t aired yet from the POV of this entry.

Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 4
Majo no Tabitabi

And that's the difference between Kino and Girl's Last Tour who you get more perspective from them and the worlds they interact with and you get to know these characters through these interactions.

She needs to at least emote more or something because it doesn't work.

— Scott: Cardcaptoring (59/70)😁🎺 (@MechAnimeReview) October 26, 2020

I’ve spent the last few days trying to work out how I feel about Elania, and Scott’s tweet popped it all into focus.

They spent (arguably) two episodes establishing her character and background… And they’ve subsequently done pretty much nothing with that groundwork. She goes from country to country acting as an observer… And afterwards, she just moves on. She changes nothing, and is not changed by her experiences. A Big Fat Zero in terms of character growth and progression.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a neutral narrator, but that’s not what we were lead to expect. So there’s a certain dissatisfaction. A certain feeling of sand in the gears (for lack of a better term).

(*) With a Dog AND a Cat, Every Day is Fun Episode 4
Inu to Neko Docchi mo Katteru to Mainichi Tanoshii

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An “early” post by the standards so far this season… For two reasons. First, I’ve wanted my weekly post out Tuesday(ish) this season. Second, for the rest of the week and into the next, if conditions permit I hope to get out and photograph the salmon run. It’s something I’ve wanted to do, and this year I’m committing to trying my hardest.

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Anyhow, that’s my thoughts on the week… Drop a comment, share yours, and let’s chat!