All in all, a pretty good week… And Anya makes the header screenshot again!
Let’s hit the jump and take a look at this week in anime!
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.
Akiba Maid War
Akiba Maid Sensou
Episode 1
NOTE: As this airs on Thursday, I’m going to be a week behind on my reviews.
WTF did I just watch? I mean seriously, absolutely W. T. F.?? If you haven’t seen it, I can barely describe it… Maid cafes as low level street gangs engaged in a yakuza turf war? It’s just absolutely bugf*ck insane.
And though I was bored in spots, in the end I couldn’t tear my eyes away.
And it was my wife who caught that Ranko was present at the hit in the opener. No wonder she’s like she is, she’s an old and experienced hand. (And possibly a mole?)
First Episode Status: Against my better judgement, I’m going to let this play out a bit.
Bocchi the Rock!
Episode 1
That was a long tedious intro… which makes it sound much worse than it was. I guess it’s hard to describe an episode which spends three quarters of it’s run time describing the bounds of the MC’s many anxieties. But somehow it actually works. And I’m kind of invested in Hitori’s future.
I’m definitely hooked on this show.
First Episode Status: Keeper.
Do It Yourself!!
Episode 2
This is turning into a pretty comfy show… And I’m here for it. Loved that this episode highlighted both partnerships (Serefu and Rai) and solo work (Takumi).
LOL’ed over Serefu’s “perfect attendance record” (at the nurse’s office).
And I’m very curious about Purin’s deal. She’s a classic tsundere – both annoyed at and rejecting Serefu, and also obsessed over her. And if the OP is any guide, her and at least one other from the hoity-toity school are going to end up in the club at some point.
Encouragement of Climb: Next Summit
Yama no Susume: Next Summit
Before diving into episode 2, first a quick callback to Episode 1…. During the side story portion, they focused on one girl several times. I had this feeling we’d seen her before, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
Then I saw this tweet:
And that jarred loose a memory…
We have seen her before. She’s one of the girls Aoi and Hinata sing karaoke with in S3E4. (Link goes to my review of that week.) According to Anime Planet, she also appeared in one of the OVA’s.
She shows up a couple of times in the background of Ep 2 as well.
Episode 2
The side story was kind of fun… And they did a decent job of covering the Mt Fuji arc. Which makes me re-think my less than charitable views on the first episode… I still think they could have done better, but capturing a show without any clear narrative arc must be difficult.
Management of a Novice Alchemist
Shinmai Renkinjutsushi no Tenpo Keiei
Episodes 1-2
Somewhere I picked up the idea that I should wait for the second episode before watching the first. I still don’t know if that was a good idea or not… But either way, we’re out of the setup phase and the cliffhanger indicated we’re ready to start the actual show.
Mostly, this is kinda CGDCT version of Akagami no Shirayukihime… More about ganbatte and friendship, and definitely lightweight.
First Episode Status: Meh, watchable for at least a couple more episodes. Will almost certainly end up minimal commenting. Just seems to be that kind of show.
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury
Kidou Senshi Gundam: Suisei no Majo
Episode 2
A lot to unpack, so gonna fall back on the tried-and-true (and a little lazy) bullet point format. Every season there’s at least one show that stymies when I try and write about it… and Gundam Mercury is this seasons leading candidate.
– There’s not quite a rivalry between the Earthians and Spacians as hinted at in the Prologue. The Spacians are very definitely in the position of power and privilege. Are the Earthians in the school as a bone tossed to peasants? Or are the Spacians allowing them into the school as a way of assimilating their talent?
– Doesn’t appear to much of a governing structure among the Spacians… The Corporate Groups rule all, and the Benerit Group is chief among them. Or maybe, we’re just seeing something of a tempest in a teapot because of the narrative point of view.
– The reference to a tempest is not accidental on my part. There’s a fan theory, one not without evidence, that Gundam Mercury is patterned after Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
– And just who is Lady Prospera? (The name is a Tempest reference.) My wife, and others around the ‘net, thinks she’s Suletta’s mother.
– Miorine is definetly up to some sketchy sh*t. But she tosses her chance overboard… To challenge her father on Suletta’s behalf. Still not clear how she really feels about her though. She’s not cold, or she wouldn’t have tried to visit her in lockup. Or maybe that was just noblesse oblige? But she does use the word fiancee.
(Meh, both screenshots ended up this ugly brown because both are in the conference chamber. But that is where the main action takes place. The rest of the episode is something of a sideshow.)
My Hero Academia 6
Boku no Hero Academia 6
Episode 2
This episode probably would have hit harder had the centerpiece been a hero the audience at large is more familiar with. I mean, the Mirko stans are going crazy, but I’m not feeling it.
Garaki, the professor/doctor, being a physical coward was a nice touch. He’s probably never been threatened like that before.
SPY x FAMILY: Part II
Episode 2
A more… action oriented episode than we’ve had in a while. I didn’t care too much for Anya acting a little over her age, but dammit she’s still too charming to resist. Mr. Dog’s party trick is one seriously hope they don’t lean on too much in the future.
That cliffhanger though… I kinda forgot this is actually as much a spy/action drama as it is a family comedy.
(*) Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! W
Uzaki-chan wa Asobitai! W
Demoted to “watched but not commented” because, well, there’s just not going to be much to say each week. It’s simply the nature of the show.
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No shows are off limits to discussion this week except Urusei Yatsura (2022), won’t get to see that until tomorrow.
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Just as Spring wouldn’t spring earlier this year, summer stubbornly refuses to let go and allow autumn to assume it’s throne. It’s frickin’ 75 degrees outside, not a cloud in the sky, meaning I have the AC on in the middle of frickin’ October. When it should be in the low 60’s and probably cloudy and raining. Proper Seattle weather.
And I could be making soup and baking bread. (Can’t use the oven in the summer because it overheats our small apartment.)
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Anyhow, that’s it for me this week. What’s going on with you? What’s your week been like? Your thoughts on this week’s shows? Drop a comment and let’s chat!
Apprentice Mages Lounge. 
Akiba Maid War: Not sure where this is going. Episode 1 was fun enough, but it’s going to be a little thin if that’s we’ll get. I’m pretty sure Ranko’s out for revenge. And as that weapon dealer suggests, she’s got support. It’s okay, so far.
Bocchi the Rock: Loved it. I was never once bored during the episode. A music anime about rock that actually feels like it’s about rock. The anxieties feel relatable to me. Love her inner voice, that gives a good contrast to what actually comes out of her voice. On the social anxiety topic, this show hovers halfway between Hitori Bocchi and Watamote. I don’t think I’ll soon forget the image of Hitori performing in a box. Wouldn’t have worked with an accoustic guitar… It’s great. Totally on board.
Do It Yourself: Promo material suggests, Purin’s not going to join the club (at least not initially), but her friend will. We saw her with a robot at home, so they’re probably going for a high-tech, low-tech contrast. Still love the show.
Alchemist: I like the show, though I’d probably say one episode a week is probably the best pace. I find it charming and fun, but I have little to say beyond that.
Gundam: Actually picked it up out of curiosity, and it’s… okay? I’m still working out the factions. I have trouble figuring out how much power the military type actually has. Space as a sort of wild-west anarchic zone in the hands of corporations makes sense, given the resources travel takes. Curious what life planetside is like. Who are the folks who’d have helped white-haired girl escape? Corporations are obviously out for themselves, but space may be their territory, with more laws to contend planetside where governments still hold power (and valuable resources?)? Anyway, that’s the sort of thing I expect from a Gundam show. Haven’t seen many, but those I’ve seen always had messy politics. I acutally like that about the Franchise. Still, I’ve rarely made it to the end of a Gundam show, so there’s that.
SpyXFamily: I thought Bond was picking up on movements in electirical currents after episode one (lit sign; telephone line) – have to say I’m a little disappointed he’s actually seeing the future, but I’m fine with how they handle it. Next episode, the return of Yuri in his professional capacity. They’re pulling the same side of the rope, but don’t trust each other and won’t be on the same side going forth.
I’m quite fond of this season. I quite liked episode one of Chainsaw Man, and it has potential in both directions. Not quite convinced yet. Most of the shows have already aired; so far no disappointments and both DIY and Bocchi the Rock have exceeded my expectations. And there’s lot of fun stuff, too. Very welcome after the rather meagre summer.
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Sorry for the late reply… busy and the heat has left me kinda listless.
re: Alchemist: Yeah, 1/week is a good pace, but I’m glad I took the advice and watched eps 1-2 back-to-back. I’m not sure I would have stuck with it otherwise, because ep 1 wasn’t very promising. One of those shows where they should have established the premise and then flashed back (reversing eps 1 and 2). Or trimmed the hell out of ep 1 to slide some of ep 2 into it.
re: Gundam: My experience with the franchise is limited to G Gundam and Iron Blooded Orphans, so I have a limited basis for comparison.
Other stuff is kinda hard to comment on as I’ve already seen the subsequent episode… But, yeah, this season is shaping up to be at least above average. Lots of off the straight-and-narrow with promise.
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