Fall 2022 – Week 6

And now we’re into midseason, the time I traditionally give mini-reviews of what I’m watching and look to see if there’s any I really should drop.  (I have a bad habit of sticking with shows past where I enjoy them.)

And, yeah, I talk about that episode.

All that 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 6

I think we’re finally getting a better idea of Nagomi’s role in the story – she reminds Ranko of what she used to be, and gives Ranko someone to care about without breaking character.  Still, she’s annoying though.  Overall the episode was a nice reminder of something they’ve toyed with but never placed front-and-center…  Our sad sack group of piggie maids absolutely regard themselves as something of a family, dysfunctional though it may be.  And Ranko especially is dedicated to killing anything that threatens that with thermonuclear fire. 

I’d be really curious to know more about her backstory and her relationships with her first cohort of maids.

Midseason status:  It’s a keeper.  But as good as it is, with Yamasu, Serefu, and Bocchi in the season’s lineup….  I doubt it’s going to make the podium.

Yeah, once again we’re in the “AOTS that isn’t x” mode.  There’s a reason why I didn’t mention Gundam Mercury.

Bocchi the Rock!

Episode 5

Kessoku faces a challenge they can’t fake their way around – Seika requires them to audition, to earn their slot on stage.  And to her credit, Nijika is the one that forces them to face that reality.  She’s an ambitious lass, and there’s hints dropped (heck, slammed in our face like a sledgehammer) we haven’t seen all her cards.

In the end, they do pretty good.  The show staff did an outstanding job of creating a decent but not flashy performance.  In keeping the show solidly grounded.

I loved it.

Do It Yourself!!

Episode 6

Who’d a thunk it?  A beach episode!  But honestly, I chuckled all the way through as it turned most of the tropes on their heads and enjoyed the day in Serefu‘s own inimitable style.  It was especially funny how every girl wore their swimsuits.

Even Pudding enjoyed it in her own way…  And almost in spite of herself, she’s coming ’round to the DIY philosophy.  It’s pretty much fore ordained that she’d join the club.  But it’s especially good that their not sacrificing her character in the process, that’s it’s happening organically.

Midseason status: Absolute keeper.  Serefu has had it’s rough patches, but in the main it’s been going from strength to strength.  As a CGDCT/SOL show, it’s steadily climbing the ranking ladder.

Encouragement of Climb: Next Summit
Yama no Susume: Next Summit

Episode 6

Two mini episodes in one…  The first was a bit odd, but then we’ve never really seen much if anything on Aoi’s relationship with Hikari.  Still, nicely done.  I really liked the second because it’s been hinted that camping is in their future and they’re setting up for that.

And is it just me, or are they speed running/time skipping through the winter to get back to mountain climbing season?  I’m actually good with that, though there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the more CGDCT/SOLish side of the story.

Midseason status:  ABSOLUTE KEEPER, HOW IS THIS EVEN A QUESTION?

Kan Colle: See You Again on Another Quiet Blue Sea
Kan Colle: Itsuka Ano Umi de

Episode 1

That was…  dreary at best.  And knowing how the historical battle ends, and the dark ending of S1…

Dropped.

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury
Kidou Senshi Gundam: Suisei no Majo

Episode 6

Guel has paid the price for his incompetence, and has been cast out of House and disowned.  But, interestingly enough, allowed to remain at school and his father continues to pay his tuition.

But not for housing and meals.  They must be available, after all Suletta was never shown as lacking that department even though she didn’t have a House.

Either way, showing him in a tent was a nice touch.

And then…  The gut punch.  Elan and Suletta’s duel comes to it’s inescapable conclusion.  Elan pays a heavy price for a failure that’s not even his fault.  Another child sacrificed on the altar of corporate and political ambition.

Happy Birthday To You…  I’ve rarely seen sadder words and few scenes that compare to the end of this episode.

And what was with the happy/dancing/laughing children Elan saw when Aerial’s GUND-bits surrounded Pharact?  Once again we circle back to something I’ve been banging on for a couple of episodes – what exactly is Aerial?  She’s more than just a machine.  Is she the true witch of the show’s title? 

Side note:  The upcoming episode is a clip show, a recap.  They’re going to make us wait two freakin’ weeks to see the fallout.

Whoops!  Almost forgot the Midseason Status:  Basically, so far, AOTS.

My Hero Academia 6
Boku no Hero Academia 6

Episode 6

Can’t say I’m surprised that Shigaraki was programmed to hunt down Deku – and One For All.  That’s All For One’s greatest target after all.

At first, I thought that maybe Bakugo was actually being semi heroic, and he kinda was.  But he’s also out for a rematch with Shigaraki.  Never change Bakugo.  Never change.

Midseason status:  As this is almost certainly 2 cour, it’s not really midseason.  It’s actually just dropped [the equivalent of] the 3rd episode cliffhanger.  I’m enjoying it, and it’s a keeper, but that’s about all I have to say.

Play It Cool, Guys
Cool Doji Danshi

Episode 5

After four episodes carefully laying out the personality quirks of each main character…  We get a sort of SOL episode, the first in which two of the mains interact.  And those quirks really don’t play a part.

A decent episode, but I really don’t understand what they were going for.

SPY x FAMILY: Part II

Episode 6

As the 2nd cour continues, I find my enthusiasm noticeably cooling.  This episode is pretty much the poster child for why…  Anya’s half was not bad, pretty much their usual.  (And she’s charming as hell as always.)  But I’m not at all certain what the second half brought to the table.  It felt like a side story elevated to fill out the run time.

About the only interesting part of the 2nd half was the reveal that someone is trying to take down the Desmond family.

Midseason status: After it’s outstanding first cour, SPY X FAMILY had nowhere to go but down.  It’s doing so with style and panache, but it is sliding.  Still, solid keeper. 

(*) 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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Cool weather this week, so made some veggie soup from leftover pot roast.  Theoretically, I’m cleaning my freezer out in preparation for packing it with Thanksgiving leftovers…  But I still put some in the freezer for future meals.

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And speaking of Thanksgiving – there will not be a post that week (Nov 24th), as I’ll be too busy cooking and eating.

Anime will be involved though – the Laid Back Camp movie will be available on Crunchy on the 24th.  We’ll watch it either on Thanksgiving or on Black Friday.

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That’s all from me this week…  What are your thoughts?  Especially interested in Bocchi, Serefu, and Yamasu! 

What are your candidates for AOTS-that-isn’t-Gundam Witch?  Assuming Gundam Witch is your AOTS candidate…

As always, drop a comment and let’s chat!