Thoughts on power and parenthood in Gundam Mercury… And on poor Twice…
And now that we’re into week 3, it’s also time to see what’s making the grade and what isn’t.
All that and more after the jump.
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 2
The episode opens with Ranko stitching her own wound… And by the timing, I don’t think it’s from the gunfight in Ep 1. I think she went out again after Nagomi fell asleep. There’s stuff going on off screen.
And though Nagomi is kind of the MC, Ranko is the character I’m starting to pay attention to. Especially after she pulled a gun from freakin’ nowhere and started blasting away… And the “cool girls don’t look at explosions” moment right towards the end was just *chef’s kiss*.
Also, Manager-chan is an out and out worm. She doesn’t care for anyone or anything but her own skin. A stock character, but well done anyhow.
Bocchi the Rock!
Episode 2
Not the best episode… It was almost all the band sitting around a table talking and good part of that was once again spent inside Hitori’s head. I can see what they’re going for, but it’s causing the show to draaaag.
After Ep 2, my wife is dropping the series and it goes from an “us” show to a “me” show.
Do It Yourself!!
Episode 3
I do not like Juliet Queen Elizabeth VIII, at least not as she’s been portrayed so far. Maybe now that she’s fitting into the club… And the club itself is pretty interesting in how it’s becoming a friend group, a bunch of misfit toys finding a home.
And once again, we see Purin (Pudding / Miku) and Kokoro eyeing the DIY club from their privileged perch. It’s interesting that they keep coming back to that.
Week 3 Status: Comfy keeper
More on the tools in the show.
Encouragement of Climb: Next Summit
Yama no Susume: Next Summit
Episode 3
A nicely done summary of Hinata and Aoi’s relationship arc in the second half of S2. They even managed to work Honoka in there. Which is very weird given how little attention has been paid to Kaede and Kokona.
Doesn’t matter how many times I see this scene… Damm, it’s just good.
Week 3 Status: If you know me, you already know the answer. For those that don’t, unquestionable keeper.
Management of a Novice Alchemist
Shinmai Renkinjutsushi no Tenpo Keiei
Not watched this week.
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury
Kidou Senshi Gundam: Suisei no Majo
Episode 3
So, the world of Gundam Mercury isn’t just a corporate state… there also a strong streak of “power belongs to those who can grab and enforce it”. I think that’s the real meaning behind Guel kneeling before Suletta and proposing. He’s not proposing marriage per se, he’s recognizing her authority and strength and proposing an alliance. (Who will be the senior partner?)
And that leads to further confusion as to what exactly is going through Miorine’s mind with regards to Suletta. She’s no uncaring, but she is a creature of the system even as she seeks to undermine or destroy it. And she did throw away her chance at escaping….
Those thoughts were inspired by iblessalls’s tweet, and then Scott’s post (quoted below) leads to further thoughts.
Poor Sulleta who doesn’t realize how manipulative her mother actually is because she is too honest and pure at all.
Mechanical Anime Reviews – WEEKLY SEASONAL WATCHES: FALL 2022 ANIME SEASON WEEK 2
Scott is absolutely right, and I should have realized it myself… Ultimately, there’s very little damm difference between Prospera Mercury (Lady Prospera née Elnora Samaya) and Vim Jeturk. They both using their children to further their own goals.
There are some differences though. Sueletta is completely oblivious to the nature of the situation. In theory, Guel shouldn’t be and he isn’t entirely… But he’s a self centered SOB, and his father has done a shit job of educating him on the nature of the system. Guel seemingly has (or at least had) no ambition beyond being the Holder.
Does Vim Jeturk see Guel as his heir? Or simply a means to an end?
Either way, Vim is in a bit of a rough patch – both of his sons are in rebellion. Guel, now openly so, and the other (who I cannot find a name for) feels strong enough to object to his father’s methods.
Week 3 Status: Solid keeper, AOTS front runner.
My Hero Academia 6
Boku no Hero Academia 6
Episode 3
Most of this weeks episode was a drawn out farewell to Twice… a guy who fate shit on, who then found a home among villains and outcasts, and who was executed for the crime of defending the only people who ever valued him.
If MHA wants to illustrate the darker side of how it’s society is set up… This episode is Exhibit A. Gentle Criminal more or less made a conscious choice, Jin Bubaigawara never even had that chance.
And damm Hawks. You’re no pure knight in shining armor. What the f*ck are you actually?
And my boy Tokoyami got at least a short moment in the spotlight.
Week 3 Status: Keeper.
SPY x FAMILY: Part II
Episode 3
Wrapping up the first arc of the season, and bringing Bond home. Nothing about this episode really stands out except for Yor kicking a speeding car and causing it to crash… and the way too cute image at the end of Anya and Bond asleep together.
Speaking of Yor… Is she going to stop being kind of a side character to Loid and Anya’s adventures? I mean, she is the Thorn Princess and all.
Week 3 Status: Keeper.
(*) Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! W
Uzaki-chan wa Asobitai! W
Episode 3
Uzaki isn’t wrong, but it’s more that they are compatible and comfortable together and should just start dating already.
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Today is the first cool day we’ve had in months. Late September weather in late October! Tomorrow, blessed rain is in the forecast… Hopefully enough to quench the forest fires and wash this @#$ smoke from the air. It’s long overdue.
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With the exception of Play It Cool, Guys which should soon pop up on Crunchyroll, I’ve seen all the premiers to date that I intend to. So, it’s open season in the comment section.
Not that it ever really isn’t – the comment section is yours to make of as you will… And that being said, that’s all I have this week. Over to you!
Drop a comment and let’s chat!
Apprentice Mages Lounge. 
Akiba Maid War is nutso but I love it’s subversion. Manager is certainly a scumbag and not a very smart one. The loan-shark’s obvious con spiel about the maid casino and Manager’s response really made me laugh.
Bocchi The Rock? Too much bocchi and not enough rock is my summary of the first two episodes. Hitori’s out of control anxiety disorder just isn’t interesting enough to carry two episodes. I’ll stick with it as I want to see how how they handle the performance animation. The recent Bang Dream Live Movies are the yardstick for rock performance animation, which is a pretty high bar. I’m not expecting them to reach that level but I’m hoping it will competent at least.
I like Management of a Novice Alchemist. It’s competent and I liked how in the first episode Sarasa had to work hard to earn her skills and that has sold me on this likeable series so far.
Gundam Etc Witch of Mercury is excellent. I don’t have much to add to what everyone else has said. Its a must watch for me.
I watched the first episode of Do It Yourself and thought it okay. I will catch up with the rest of the episodes soon I think.
Reincarnated As A Sword isn’t too bad for an isekai. The sword is a little bit irritating but Fran’s circumstances make her an interesting protagonist.
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc – Memorial Edition managed to upset Berserk fans in the first episode and has done little to recover the lost ground since. It is essentially a remake of the movie version of the Golden Age arc. If I have time I will watch it but if I want a Berserk fix I can watch the original, which is still superior to this version.
There are a couple of other series I’m intending to watch but won’t comment on them unless they turn out to be interesting somehow.
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Reincarnated as A Sword is better than I thought it would be after episode one. Can’t stand the sword, but I adore Fran, and much as I hate to admit it, they do have a pretty nice father/daughter energy going, with him reigning her in when she’s too impatient. Once again, though, a show where goblins are mainly there to be killed. What I’ve never liked about fantasy, whether it be anime or books is personified evil. That said, I expected less from this show; it’s quite entertaining actually.
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Waiting for the isekai: “I Got Hit By A Truck And Now I’ve Been Reincarnated As A Goblin Mob Character”. :D
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That’s what I loved about Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash – they went out of their way to show that the goblins were people, fighting for their lives.
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For me, Grimgar was worse, because they treated goblins like that, and then… didn’t do anything with it. Imagine the same show, exactly the same, but with brigands. They send the new kid to fetch water, and our heroes brutally murder him, because he’s a brigand… and then all they do for the rest of the show is kill more of them, and then others. And then, when one of ours dies it’s a tragedy. In Grimgar they treated Goblins like people, and then they were still only there to be killed. It felt like they made them goblins so the killing is more palatable. I think the only show that annoyed me more was Goblin Slayer, but it’s not obvious.
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Agreed on Akiba Maid – but that 100% not giving a f*ck insane is what makes it so good, yes?
You just neatly summed up what I was trying to say…
The second ep is too easy though… It’s charming enough, but the 3rd (which I haven’t gotten to yet) really will be make-or-break.
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After episode 2 of Maid War, I was a tad worried the show’d be too repetitive, but episode 3 was better again. I’m fine with the show so far. I actually think in terms of the main conflict, Ranko’s the protagonist; so far, she’s the one who gets things moving and has a personal stake. Nagomi feels more like a point-of-view character, so far. The straight man to this crazy show, so to speak. The only thing that even involves her in the story so far is that other maid she keeps meeting (and that’s suspicious). Obiviously, it’s too early to judge the plot.
I don’t remember this week’s Bocchi the Rock much, but I’m liking the show as it is. I did like episode 2 a little less than episode, but it’s still one my favourites this season.
Do It Yourself is my favourite new show. I’m perfectly fine with the new girl, too, except I think the name’s silly. Not much to say; it’s not a show that gives you a lot to talk about, but I’ve been missing really good feel-good shows lately, and I find this applys splendidly.
Alchemist: not saying much since you’ve not watched it; just… the general trend is downwards. It’s not what I expected, and the direction isn’t one I welcome. But it’s also not too big a deal, and the show’s still cute and fun.
Gundam: I’m a tad surprised that the duel was with Guen. I mean I didn’t expect big shot to get in the robot himself, but this seems politically weird. Did he decide to lose and blame a rival? What’s going on? (This is such a shounen move; but it feels out of character for Gundam. Hm…)
SpyXFamily had a really cute episode. Telepathy comes in pretty handy when you’re dog needs the doggy toilet, heh. And, yeah, we’ve not seen much about Yor’s job. I do wonder.
I’ve seen the first episode of Play it Cool guys. It reminds me of something, and maybe I’ll figure out what by the time you’ve seen the episode. Still waiting for the Immortal show, too.
Don’t have much to say about any of the other shows.
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re: Maid War, remember I’m a week behind! :) :) I have to wait another couple of hours to see Ep 3, my wife is watching too.
They did give her a better name… and I think I’ll like her more once she settles into the club. I just didn’t care for her attitude.
I don’t think it’ll slide onto the “watched but not commented list”, but yeah. Comfy shows are hard to say much about.
He lost the original duel, so I kinda expected him to fight the do-over. I figure it would be politically weird for him not to fight.
Crunchy just announced they picked it up for streaming here in the US, but not when it’ll premiere… Soon I hope!
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One thing about Guel’s surprise proposal. The way they framed it, it looked to me like Suletta was the first one to acknowledge Guel’s strength and spirit. Instead of stepping on him, or belittling him, she complimented him, and that seemed to me to have a strong effect on him, one which he may have gotten a little carried away with in the moment.
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Hard to reply, because I’ve seen the next episode… But even without that, I don’t think your wrong. Even for someone like him, being treated as something other than a means to an end (as his father does) has got to be a gut punch.
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