Running behind (again), so this is verging on being a mid-season check in, isn’t it? Ah well, so it goes. We’ve got a fairly decent season on our hands, so let’s jump in take a look!
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.
Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian
Tokidoki Bosotto Russia-go de Dereru Tonari no Alya-san
Good characters, good setting (if a bit cliche), could use to up it’s pace just a touch. Sure, sure, they got the pseudo confession out of the way in Ep 3… But I’m not liking MC-Kun’s enforced denseness. Especially WRT to Maria who is undoubtedly the girl of his memories. And there’s also no doubt she remembers him and is settling herself into the starting blocks. Better watch out Alya, because Big Sis is gonna make her run soon. She’s already given you fair warning about what’s about to go down.
Status: Keeper.
Days with My Stepsister
Gimai Seikatsu
Eps 1-4
*blink* *blink* Well, that was unexpected turn of events… I mean, it’s listed as a romance, but the first three episodes didn’t lead me to believe it would be so blunt. And Saki remains an enigma, her motivations and beliefs opaque beyond her crumbling independence. Should also point out she seems to be incredibly lonely.
Still, I’m intrigued. How is Yuuta going to react longer term? I suspect that their discussion over him seeing and being tempted by Saki’s underwear is something of a Chekov’s Gun. I just don’t know where it’s going to be aimed.
Status: t
Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!
Make Heroine ga Oosugiru! Eps 1-3
What a mess of a show! And I don’t mean that in a bad way, I mean it’s an accurate reflection of the lives of it’s characters. It’s one flaw is that Kazuhiko (MC-kun) could stand to be a little less dense and a little more genre aware. I mean, he is characterized as an avid reader of LN’s, right?
Either way, I’m enjoying the hell out of it and it has some of the best writing and storyboarding this season.
Also, Anna is Best Girl. (Lemon is coming up strong through.) And so far, likely Best Girl of the season.
Status: Strong keeper, strong recommendation to watch.
My Hero Academia
Boku no Hero Academia
No comment, keeper
Narenare: Cheer for You!
Nanare Hananare Eps 1-4
We’ve got a large ensemble cast, and the storylines are moving fast. Kanata’s issues were basically disposed of in two episodes… But that’s par for the course for what’s essentially a CGDCT series. I guess “it’s not actually very deep” isn’t really a fair criticism.
But am I really off base in expecting more from a P.A. Works original series? (Despite their mixed tracked record in such matters.) Let’s see how Anna’s arc plays out.
And it’s downright weird Capoeira was a plot point in two different anime this week… It was featured in both Cheer and Cafe Terrace.
And so far, Suzuha is unquestionably Best Girl.
Status: Keeper
Pseudo Harem
Giji-Harem
Eps 1-4
If I didn’t know better, I’d say this was adopted from a 4-koma… It just has that maniac level of energy. But, somehow, that pacing really works well here. It could do to back off the throttle just a touch, but that’s a style thing more than anything else.
Watching it the other day I remarked to my wife about just how dense Eiji is… But once you stop and think about it, of course he is. After all, he’s a harem protagonist, isn’t he?
After all, it’s way too early for the lunkhead to realize that Rin basically just confessed to him. And anyhow, harem protags never make a final choice. They’ve gone out of their way to show us that he’s basically enamoured of all of them.
It’s definitely a highlight of my week.
Status: Keeper. Probably my most looked forward to show each week that’s not Spicy Wolf.
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin
Tensui no Sakuna-hime
Eps 1-3
Three episodes in, and Sakuna is still mostly running in circles… And the unheralded gifts from her companions was the straw that broke the camel’s back. If you can’t spend two minutes setting up such an important character moment, I’m not giving you any more of my minutes.
Status: Dropped.
Senpai is an Otokonoko
Senpai wa Otokonoko Eps 1-4
After a little setup… Makato confirms that they truly wish to continue crossdressing. And I love it that his father is shown as being supportive. What of the mom though? That issue has been pushed aside, at least for the moment.
And we have bit of a triangle developing… On one had we have Saki, whose deal still isn’t very clear beyond tropish “adoration and support for senpai.”
On the other, Ryuuji. Who is confused as hell by feeling he’s not certain he supposed to have.
Status: Still setting up/finding it’s way despite the episode count. But that’s also kind of the theme of the show, isn’t it? Solid keeper.
Spice and Wolf: merchant meets the wise wolf
Ookami to Koushinryou: merchant meets the wise wolf
Just keeps going from strength to strength… Solid keeper.
The Café Terrace and Its Goddesses Season 2
Megami no Cafe Terrace 2nd Season
Eps 1-4
I am still mostly enjoying Café Terrace. One one hand, this first arc really is what it does best – showcasing one or two of the girls pulling the band together and triumphing over some adversity. One the other… One thing this series absolutely did not need was a massive expansion of the cast. Especially when they’re deliberately clones of the Familia. Hopefully they soon be pushed into the background.
Status: Keeper. Crossing fingers.
VTuber Legend: How I Went Viral after Forgetting to Turn Off My Stream
VTuber Nanda ga Haishin Kiri Wasuretara Densetsu ni Natteta
Eps 1-3
I am.. not enjoying this show all that much. I don’t get where they’re going, and I thinks that’s me. I’m just not knowledgeable about V tuber culture. I mean, I’ve tried but I just don’t get it. But the other part is on them, I can’t stand shows that won’t stop shouting at me. They give me a headache, sometimes metaphorical, sometimes real.
Anyhow, I’m done here.
Status: Dropped.
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Two drops, nine survivors… Wouldn’t be too bad if four of those didn’t air on Thursday. That’s a bit of a pain since Thursday evening is my weekly AMQ game. OTOH, there’s only two on the weekend and that’s good considering how busy weekends are right now.
And definitely the season for romances! Seven of nine shows are a romance of one form or another.
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And that’s all from me – over to you! How is your season shaping up? Any week 3 (ish) drops? What are your favorites?
Drop a comment and let’s chat about the season or anything else on your mind.
Apprentice Mages Lounge. 
At this point, the ones I’m still fully happy with are Spice and Wolf, Wonderful PreCure!, The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to be Archenemies, and of course Oshi no Ko. That said, I’m going to keep going with Sakuna, NieR:Automata, and ATRI for now, though I’m not sure that I’ll finish out the season with any of those three. Definitely a thin season all around, but Oshi no Ko and Spice and Wolf are at the top of it, with Magical Girl and Evil Lieutenant and Wonderful PreCure! not very far behind, so that’s not too bad.
As an aside, in my “old anime” track, I ended up dropping A Certain Scientific Railgun. Despite assurances that it would be better than A Certain Magical Index, I found myself completely bored with every one of the first five episodes of Railgun. Anyway, replaced it in my rotation with The Apothecary Diaries, which already seems much better. Also have taken up a double-dose of Witchy PreCure! so I can hope to finish it up before the “full bloom” series starts in January. So for older anime and re-watches, that gives me Lupin the Third (part 2), Mobile Suit Gundam, Lycoris Recoil, Magic Knight Rayearth, Witchy PreCure!, The Apothecary Diaries, Inuyasha, and most weeks I also try to fit in a re-watch of an episode of Death Note.
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I had pretty much the same experience re Index/Railgun. Watched Index for around seven episodes and then dropped it. Was told Railgun is better. Tried it… and I didn’t find what I watched any better. <i>Apothecary Diaries</i>, though, is great. Yuki Aoi being allowed her full range is a thing of beauty.
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Looks like we don’t have much in common this season beyond Spice and Wolf… Ah well, so it goes.
While Railgun is better than Index, the first arc isn’t the best. The second arc is better, and it gets really good in the 2nd season… But if the characters and setting didn’t grab you in the first arc, well, what you see is pretty much what you get.
Is Lycoris a rewatch or did you watch it the first time around? Our current rewatch is Bocchi.
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This is my first time through Lycoris, and it grabbed me hard from episode one. Fun girls with guns premise, if a little cliche-feeling, but more importantly some excellent character interaction and writing.
My experience of Index was that it had a lot of trouble finding its direction, had real problems with pacing, and tended to alternate distressingly dull with interesting enough to keep going, and so I was able to stick around through all 24 episodes of the first season. Railgun, on the other hand, took the most boring characters from Index and made them the central focus.
BOCCHI THE ROCK is on my list for when I finish up Lycoris Recoil, which isn’t that much longer since I’ll be watching episode 9 on Sunday.
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I thought, the opposite – Railgun got us away from Toma and improved the characters 100%! :)
If you care to look back, I reviewed both Lycoris and Bocchi while they were airing.
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For me, it’s not so much Tōma, or even Index, but all of the weirdos who congregate around Index, like the Necessarius magicians. To me, Mikoto is merely annoying and her associates are worse. I’m also not fond of a set of plotlines that make whether the person, especially when those people are the age they canonically are, is wearing panties or shorts under their skirt into a plot point, even a minor one.
I was reading your Lycoris reviews/recaps, but you stopped in the middle of the season as far as I can tell.
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Yeah, I’ve dropped V Tuber Legend, too. The thing is this: I’ve never really enjoyed V-Tubers, and this feels like a straight advert. Also, while I can live with the alcohol angle in this case, it’s also not something that endears the show to me. Most of all, though, none of the characters are interesting.
I’m still watching and enjoying Sakuna-hime, as it’s sort of my thing, but even I have to admit (to myself mostly) that I’m not quite enjoying it as much I thought I would. Should have been near the top; is somewhere near the middle.
I’m still happy with Spice and Wolf; I have absolutely no memory of this arc – though I’m pretty sure it was in season 2? I half-remember the blond boy merchant, though that could me be making up things, too. It’s really been a while. Unlike the Fruits Basekt remake, which was a real winner, this one makes me want to rewatch the old series, given how little I remember.
Alya is fine; I’m mostly having fun, but I have little to say.
Days with My Stepsister I keep forgetting exists. I wasn’t even sure I’m caught up until I read your comment. I so rolled my eyes at the panty stuff: anime sometimes has the most rigid gender relations portrayal possible: male characters are obligated to react to panties. It’s part of the cultural taboo, though. While I was studying at University, a colleague housed a Japanese exchange student and she did her laundry, too. Never the underwear, though. That was always removed. It’s not even a gender thing: underwear is just too personal. One wonders how deep that runs. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s going to be a problem in an adhoc family, if previously it’s only been you and your father. In any case, I’m not that involved with the show.
@The Cheer Show: Kanata’s issue was disposed of? As far as I remember they just put a name on it, and are now waiting it out. The shows okay, not among PA Works’ best, but neither is it among its worst. Agreed: Suzuha is the best.
@Senpai: I’m liking the show, but I find it a little heavy sometimes for the not-too-stable mood I’m currently in. If it weren’t a currently airing I’d probably leave it for later.
@Giji Harem: I don’t think our protagonist is dense so much, as he’s having a hard time believing it, and choosing not to confront the issue. I think the show’s pretty smart, actually, about how they use harem tropes to overlay the real issues. The key scene was the persona confessions with the real letter mixed in: I think it’s more denial than denseness – if he’d face the possibility he’d have to act – but for what, and how? They do have such an easy chemistry, though. It’s just fun to watch.
This season has actually quite a lot of shows in the good middle field:
Dungeon People, Quality Assurance, Elusive Samurai… All fun shows for what they are.
Anime of the season, though, was always going to be Sengoku Youko. This is one of the very, very rare cases, where I’ve actually read the manga, and as much as I enjoyed the first cour, this was all merely the set-up. The real story begins now. And after three episodes, we’ve now revisited the beats the first cour set up while also slowly adding the new elements to the mix, so we can set up the chaotic free-for-all mediation of what it means to have power and use it. Out of all the Mizukami stuff I’ve watched/read this is my favourite (not a popular opinion).
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re: Cheer Show / Kanata – it was just the abruptness of the pivot that bugged me. So far the show doesn’t feel like it’s structured around long term storylines/issues. May just be me.
>@Giji Harem: I don’t think our protagonist is dense so much, as he’s having a hard time believing it, and choosing not to confront the issue. I think the show’s pretty smart, actually, about how they use harem tropes to overlay the real issues.
That actually doesn’t sound unlikely. He does sometimes seem to be dodging… something, or changing the subject. Now I’ll have to watch closely.
Re: Spice and Wolf I know I watched S2 of the original, but I remembered pretty much none of it. For whatever reason, all I remember is S1. So I had to double check Wikipedia, and the 2024 version matches the 2008 version.
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Yeah, so far Spice and Wolf is following the same arcs that the original adaptation did. This one is about a merchants’ duel using an iron pyrite market bubble as the medium, obviously, and is hitting the same beats as before. Maybe Holo is a little more inscrutable in this one; Lawrence never seemed in real danger of losing her in the original adaptation.
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I have the time so why not: I’ll see where approximately this season’s shows go on a list. I just come from watching Losing Heroines, and that show’s just such fun to watch; this is what inspired me.
Sengoku Youko
***tier-break***
Karasu Wa Aruji Wo Erabanai
Giji Harem
Make Heroine ga Oosugiru!
Spice and Wolf
***tier-break***
Tower of God 2
Oshi no Ko 2
Senpai wa Otokonoko
Slime 3
Ossan Newbie Adventurer
Dungeon no Naka Hito
Sakuna Hime
Isekai Shikaku
Alya San
Shoushimin Series
Nige Jouzo wa Nakagimi
Kono Sekai wa Fukanzen Sugiru
***tier-break***
Dahlia in Bloom
Mission: Yozakura Family
Bye Bye Earth
Shikanoko Noko Koshitantan
Ramen Akaneko
Mayonaka Punch
Shy 2
Na Nare Hana Nare
Wistoria: Wand and Sword
Koi wa Futago de Warikirenai
I Parry Everything
Raising Kids While Adventuring
Boku no Tsuma wa Kanjou ga Nai
***tier-break***
Atri: My Dear Moments
Gimai Seikatsu
***tier-break***
Why Does Nobody Remember Me In This World
The Strongest Magician in The Demonlord’s Army was a Human
Failure Frame
As always, these lists tend to be hard. I run into contradictory intuitions: like wanting to put show A over B, and show B over show C, but show C over show A. It’s really weird. This happens often; and it’s not easy to sort out. This must be a case of different background vibes when comparing two shows, but I’ve never been able to figure out how to deal with this. Luckily, so far, it’s never broken the tier-barrier. It could, though. As always, such lists are to be taken with a grain of salt.
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I’d quibble over particular placements (I think both Otokono and Gimai Seikatsu are really getting quite good)… But overall, I think you are I are generally in agreement. I’d maybe slide Alya down some, as they’re trying to pack too many threads into one plot.
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I will probably do a fuller post later but felt like making some comments about the three PA Works shows. Of the three, I prefer Mayonaka Punch – for me, stylistically, it’s the most “PA Works” of the three shows, no surprise as its directed by an old PA Works hand who has been involved somehow in most of their best shows going back a few years. M.P.’s direction is pretty tight, the visuals are typical PA Works, and the jokes, such as they are, mostly work. it’s not hugely original but entertaining enough.
Sakuna Hime is okay, really nice artwork but I’m up to episode four and I feel like the show is only starting to reveal itself as to its story direction. I will stick with it for now.
Na Nare Hana Nare has had problems since its sloppy first episode I thought. The first episode had some glaring plot holes that made the first episode confusing at times. In fact I watched episode one twice, because the first time I wondered if I had missed something – turns out I hadn’t – a couple of characters are interacting with no exposition as to how they know each other, and why the main character goes haring off for no apparent reason, after a girl jumping, like Superman, from roof to roof, is not explained. Following episodes are little better. Episode 2 and 3 righted the ship somewhat and we seemed to be getting a show about gymnastic cheering leading but episode 4 was back to more poor exposition about Anna. Anna is meant to have no filter because she is a foreigner new to Japan but then in episode 4 we find she’s been living in Japan for years! Go figure. With episode 4 we get another change of direction with the show tilting to being about v-tubing cheerleaders. All that is a bit surprising as the director, Koudai Kakimoto, last directed “Bang Dream Its My Go”, a strong series where the direction of the taut story line was tight as a drum. Perhaps its the source material? Maybe its me but I find all that annoying and as a result Na Nare Hana Nare is hovering just above my drop zone and needs to improve if its going to survive on my viewing list for much longer.
On Cafe Goddesses 2. Introducing a quintet of new girls hasn’t helped things so far and just diluted the impact and good vibes of series one which I quite liked. However it was good to see episode 5 was back to Cafe Goddess core business which was reassuring to see. I’m hoping it stays on track as the first series was better than many expected it to be.
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That was an interesting read. I’m really not sure which of these shows is the most typical PA Works show – certainly, Na Nare Hana Nare has the typical in-house character designs. But it has odd colour direction for PA Works… Mayonaka Punch falls more in line with recent shows, I feel, like – say – Akiba Maid Wars, or Parippi Koumei. Meanwhile, Na Nare Hana Nare trails more after Tari Tari et al.
I’d agree, though, that Mayonaka Punch is tightest and most consistent production of the three shows. And that Na Nare Hana Nare is quite a bit wonky. I still like Sakuna-hime the best of the three shows, so far, but that’s mostly because of the type of show it is. It’s more genre preference than show preference, if that makes sense. (Sakuna-hime is also the greatest disappointment out of the three shows, it being the only show I expected a lot from.)
For reference, my favourite PA Works shows are The Eccentric Family and Skip & Loafer; after that it’s not so clear anymore, but it’ll probably be True Tears, Hanasaku Iroha, some of the more typical shows.
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I noticed Na Nare‘s plot holes too, esp around Kanata and Megumi. They just didn’t bother me too much as I did not have high expectations.
Though, we’re firmly in agreement on Cafe Terrace. The hot springs ep, I hope, represents a shift more towards what the show does so well.
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