The second, and final, batch of first impressions for Spring 2023! Some good, some bad, some mixed impressions. Hit the jump and let’s run ’em down.
Dr. STONE NEW WORLD
Dr. STONE Season 3
They wasted no time here… The episode picks up like 5 minutes after the conclusion of Dr. Stone: Ryuusui.
After a fast paced recap, the episode hit the ground running and never really stopped. Dr. Stone has always been on the brisk side, but they were pedal to the metal here. Probably rushing through the setup the get to the meat of the series (as shown in the trailer and the OP), but it could stand to back off just a touch.
Status: Keeper
The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2
Mahou Tsukai no Yome Season 2
Still can’t decide if there was any kind of time-skip. I don’t think there was, but it kind of feels like there was, or at least should have been. Maybe it’s just me.
Overall, a fairly slow paced introductory episode… Though there were plenty of plot hooks baited, no real sense of where things are going to go. Still, it was decent enough, crossing my fingers because I remember how badly things went awry in the back half of the first season. Pacing has always been a weak point for this series.
Status: Keeper
Yuri is My Job!
Watashi no Yuri wa Oshigoto Desu!
Actually kinda cute. A lot overacted,but kinda cute. But unless I miss my guess, the overacting, the hamming it up, is part of the point… But it would work a little smoother if it weren’t carried over into the ‘off stage’ parts as well.
Much hinges on how likeable MC-chan becomes… Because right now, the self centered so-and-so isn’t very sympathetic. OTOH, there’s something to be said for an out-and-out gremlin.
Status: Keeper, probational?
The Café Terrace and Its Goddesses
Megami no Cafe Terrace
I’m… Not entirely certain who this show is actually aimed at. It tried so many things, it tried so very hard, but the result was some serious tonal whiplash.
Which is kinda sad, because it didn’t actually fail at any of them. It just failed to follow through with any consistency. If it finds it’s footing, it could be awesomely average.
Status: Against my better judgement and because I can be a sucker for harem comedies… Keeper, on probation.
A Galaxy Next Door
Otonari ni Ginga
As I said in my Anticipation post, I’ve been reading this manga. So, my fervent wish was “please don’t suck”. I’m happy to say, it doesn’t suck, but… I don’t think it’s as good as it could be either. There were a couple of unneeded anime original scenes, or manga scenes moved forward that should have been left out. The time could have been better spent setting up the climax of the episode. But, TBF, the manga kinda lacked a little in that department as well.
Both the manga and the anime as the audience to take a lot on faith in the early going. It’s well into the second volume before the pacing settles down and it really gets going.
But the good new is that Yuu Wakui is doing very well as Shiori and the character design captured her nicely. Going forward, the show will live or die based on those two things.
Status: *crossing fingers* Keeper
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury Season 2
Mobile Suit Gundam: Suisei no Majo Season 2
Oh, Suletta, never change. Because if you do, we aren’t going to have much of a show…
Damm, I’m glad we got a few weeks to catch our breath…
The first ep dives right in after a brief time skip – one that leaves the season cliffhanger unresolved. It appears our couple may not have even gotten any time together… And they’re currently unable to communicate.
Other than that, we’re once again deep into the intrigue at the heart of the series. I’m not certain what the two Earthian witches are really up to, but they certainly do mean Business. And they aren’t wasting any time. And neither is Mama Mercury – who is sinking her conspiratorial claws into Minorine.
Status: KEEPER!!!
Magical Destroyers
Mahou Shoujo Magical Destroyers
So was I mate… So was I. But I’d have settle for some direction to all the frenetic energy. Some sense of continuity and clarity.
But I didn’t get any of that. They threw a bunch of stuff at the wall, and for me none of it stuck.
Status: Dropped.
Insomniacs after school
Kimi wa Houkago Insomnia
Of the buffet of romances and rom-coms this season, I’d have to say Insomniacs checks in with the strongest premiere. A little bit talky and preachy in spots, but I love how they set up both protagonists. (Rather than one or one and a half.) By the end of the episode they’re much more of a couple than is usual… But on the other hand, they aren’t. (I think that if you’ve watched it, you’ll get what I mean.) There’s a budding friendship/partnership thing going on, it’s not just romance. And that’s a good thing.
You’re reading it here folks – keep an eye on Insomniacs.
Status: KEEPER.
Otaku Elf
Edomae Elf
This premiere earns a Spock Eyebrow… Because it was almost an OVA. A fairly complete story without many hooks for future plots. And the hooks they did set would seem to lead to repetitiveness… The episode certainly leaned into repeating the same gags. And I think the show really needs to break the bounds it’s already trapping itself in.
But I kinda like the characters. And hopefully Koito learns a little humility and sympathy (preferably quickly).
Status: provisional keeper.
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Whew! Seventeen shows, that was quite a bit to watch. Twelve survivors means a busy season, but it remains to be seen how many make it through week 3 and the midseason gut check.
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So, with the premieres over, all shows are fair game!
Drop a comment and let’s chat!
Apprentice Mages Lounge. 
Not watching Dr. Stone and Gundam.
Magical Destroyers wasn’t my type of show from the beginning, and it didn’t do anything to get me on board throughout the entire episode either. I’m done with it. I just don’t tend to like woe-is-me-for-I-am-being-looked-down-upon otaku shows.
Mahoutsukai no Yome: I’ve forgotten quite a few characters; I maybe should have refreshed my memory a bit. That said, I did really enjoy the episode. I’m also fine with the school setting. I laughed at the sorting cats.
Yuri Is My Job is surprisingly fun. I had no expectations at all. I thought the point behind our main character’s overacting is that the pros aren’t fooled. It’s a little silly that everyone else seems to be, but I can live with that. The show’s not boring.
Cafe Terrace was… so-so. I didn’t like the harem comedy parts much; it’s not my sort of humour. And I’m downright creeped out that one of the girls would use the other by getting her drunk without prior knowledge. That said, it’s end up being moderately okay. The characters are better individualised than I thought they would be after the trailer.
Galaxy Next Door was charming. I like everyone here. This is going to be a relaxing watch.
After School Insomniacs was cute overall, and I do like the night mood. I’ll see how that goes.
And Otaku Elf was way better than I expected. It’s actually sort of charming. (The trailer didn’t sell me on it.) I’m really glad they didn’t drag out the mystery woman bit to the end of the season. I was worried they’d do that, and then it resolved at the end of the episode. Bonus points for that.
I’m quite happy with this season.
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Gah, braindead and forgot to reply. Not even an excuse this time beyond being a dunderhead.
Agreed! Especially after the second episode, where we get more new (old) characters (re)introduced.
Re: Yuri is my Job!
What’s killing me is that everyone hams it up, both “onstage” [at the cafe] and “offstage”. It just gets a little tiring and I think the show would benefit from a little more nuance.
Yeah, Insomniacs (like Elf) really needs to bait it’s hook. Great ideas and setup, but let’s see the follow through! It’s the follow through that gets you through the season.
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I completely forgot about the anime “Edomae Elf”! It was on my watchlist, and somehow it slipped my mind. I think I’ll check out the first episode this weekend and see what it’s all about.
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Ah, sorry for being a complete dunderhead and forgetting to reply… So, what did you think?
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