Rui is such an adorable little brat.

Last week’s premieres

I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day - one of the protagonists is how old? 10? Yeah, not sure if I want to continue this.

The Ghost in the Shell - the story itself wasn’t hard to follow, but the whole episode looked so visually busy it was overwhelming at times. Not completely bought on it just yet (might be due to my falling out of love with cyberpunk some time ago), but it was a prologue, and I’m really digging the art style and this goofy version of Motoko.

Red River - I’m yet to see why shoujosei fans praise this story. The MC is frustrating, but that means she has a lot of room to grow. As for the direction and animation, I wish they left old shoujo alone at this point, it’s a product of its time and they can’t – or don’t want to – do it justice; better focus on adapting modern titles.

My Stepmother and Stepsisters Aren’t Wicked - liking it so far. I don’t even mind if the joke repeats itself in many different ways, but there are hints for something beyond that.

Love Unseen Beneath the Clear Night Sky - bland. Drop.

Also dropping all three fantasy romances - Oblivious Saint, Kimiai and The Ogre’s Bride - from last week’s drop zone. Any other season I’d probably let my inner raccoon out and go, yay, my trash, but this one offers so many things to be excited and joyful about I’m struggling to justify watching these. Might pick them up again, though, if I’m too bored between seasons.

The creepy guy is funny. Oh no. The way he mixes English into his speech is simply scrumptious. Lately I’ve been thinking how Kouki Uchiyama’s performance has went somewhat stale with the same type of guy, but his Yousuke is superb, I’m in awe. Can’t wait to hear his interpretation of Firefly Wedding’s Shinpei this fall.

This wasn’t supposed to be the most hilarious show of the season, come on. I was laughing my ass off the whole episode.

Yeah, no couple can beat YamaNishi for me. They are so adorable watching them just gives me a fuwafuwa feeling.

I freaking love this ED!!!

Ito is such a cutie with her hairstyle that I also want to give her headpats.

Liking the kick and the verbal affirmation of Gen’s move being trashy.

Seems like it will be my popcorn entertainment of the week, after all.

Good episode. Now I’m convinced I’ll have a wonderful time with this show.

Best girl Mommy of the season?

I expected a wholesome comedy, I got a wholesome comedy. Keeping this one; I don’t have anything else to watch on Wednesdays.

Wow. This should have been a double-episode premiere. If the first one was as good as I expected it to be, this one was pure art. 10/10 episode. Just wow.

Finally, an anime that can potentially rival Ikoku Nikki as my AOTY.

Last week’s premieres

Both The World Is Dancing and Jaadugar were as good as I expected them to be, so I was most impressed with Sunflower Circus and Sparks of Tomorrow premieres. The former reminded me of my favourite all-female cast anime about girls with distinct personalities becoming good friends while chasing their dreams, and I adore those.

Goodbye, Lara had a strong start, as well. Loved the vibrant colours, and the way they packed The Little Mermaid retelling into one episode worked really well – now the story can take an unknown turn and go from tragedy in the foreign lands waters to comedy in Japan.

Please Excuse My Younger Brothers was better than I expected it to be, so it’s nice to see it has 24 episodes. I’ll see if I can finish it.

Polar Opposites Season 2 was, unsurprisingly but appreciatively, a pure delight.

100 Girlfriends Season 3 has no right to be this funny. I just love how it takes stupid or problematic tropes and makes it amusing and wholesome. No harem MC’s ever done it – and never will – like Rentarou does, and those fourth wall breaks remind me of my beloved Gintama. Keep doing what you’re doing, Hyakkano staff.

Draw This, Then Die! didn’t wow me like Sunflower Circus did, but it’s something akin to it and looks pretty fun. Maybe it will grow on me.

Drop zone

Recommendations from Iwamoto-Senpai - from the author of Nurarihyon, which I enjoyed when I could easily digest Jump’s shounen, so despite its bad production values I’m willing to give it an episode or two to see all the guys from the key visual where the story goes.

The Oblivious Saint Can’t Contain Her Power - this one was boring and tropey but didn’t show the male lead yet, so it has a chance to redeem itself. What I didn’t expect, though, is that both The Ogre’s Bride and Kimiai would be even worse. A disappointing situation on the fantasy romance front.

Immediate drop

Yani Neko - did find the PV hilarious, but the episode itself was miserably unfunny. Plus, I really dislike movie references; they give me the ick for some unknown reason.

Let’s Go Kaikigumi - another one with the comedy that didn’t work for me.

I expected it to have a more serious vibe, but it turned out super amusing. Loved the contrast between the background art and the character animation that doesn’t shy away from being goofy. Silver hair guy isn’t annoying, he is straight up creepy, and Kouki Uchiyama has nailed the creepiness with his voice acting. Praise to Kyoani. Can’t wait to see more.

A slow-burn enjoyer in me screams with joy watching Tairazuma.

Suzuki is as creatureful as I remember. So cute! Glad to have this show back.

If Rie Kugimiya isn’t performing another embarrassingly cute dannasama love song I don’t want it. Tbh, I don’t think it’s even possible to top the first OP.

Great comedic timing, and the dialogue just flows beautifully. Thoroughly enjoyed it; my favourite premiere of the season so far.

Full of tropes, but I need to see the male lead and his interactions with the heroine. If executed right, it has potential to be as enjoyable as Zutaboro was for me.

The finale gave us a new Galileo Galilei song!

Warmed up to this show quite a lot during its run. It was a pure slice-of-life, albeit with a supernatural element in it. I was awed by Kujima’s VA, what an amazing job at voicing a creature.

Not a serpent in my garden. They introduced Momoka to torture me personally.

So it was a complete adaptation. Great finale for this gem of a show, which gradually became one my spring favourites.

Seira bringing a whole band for Aimi and Nami to perform The Licky Love Song in front of Kirio was as beautiful as the Moon, at which Aimi howled with tears in her voice. Tsuki ga kirei, truly.

Summer Season

Definitely watching:

• The Elusive Samurai Season 2 - The first season was the highlight of Summer 2024 for me, so I’m very much looking forward to the sequel.

• The World Is Dancing - The first time I saw the announcement I went, “Tokiyuki-dono, is that you?” Lucky me getting both this and Nigewaka in the same season. Pretty sure it will be my AOTS contender.

• Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia - Science Saru, Naoko Yamada, interesting visuals. Historical setting dominates my top-3 most anticipated anime of this summer.

• You and I Are Polar Opposites Season 2 - Azuma-Taira development?

• The Ghost in the Shell - The first GITS adaptation I’ll enjoy? Crossing my fingers.

• Sparks of Tomorrow - Kyoani makes it a must-watch for me. That silver-hair antagonist annoys me already, though (in a bad way).

• Goodbye, Lara - An original based on The Little Mermaid. I like its art style.

• 100 Girlfriends Season 3 - Let’s go, the only harem anime.

• Behind the Supermarket, Smoking with You - I liked what I saw in those pre-released short episodes.

Interested in:

• Grow Up Show: Sunflower Circus - An original about girls chasing their dreams.

• Red River - On the one hand, yay, old shoujo fantasy, and the one I haven’t read at that. On the other hand, I know of the industry’s disrespect for this particular demographic, so I’m kind of torn. I like shoujo but it’s better experienced as manga mostly.

• Yani Neko - PV was grossly hilarious, so I’m giving it a shot.

• My Stepmother and Stepsisters Aren’t Wicked - Expecting a wholesome comedy.

• I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day - I prefer my yuri to focus on grown-up women but I’ll still check this one out since it’s always about teens with anime.

Will watch the premiere to decide if I want to stick with it:

• Draw This, Then Die!

• Recommendation from Mr. Iwamoto

• Let’s Go Kaikigumi

• The Ogre’s Bride

• The Oblivious Saint Can’t Contain Her Power

• The Duke’s Son Claims He Won’t Love Me Yet Showers Me with Adoration

• Victoria of Many Faces

• Love Unseen Beneath the Clear Night Sky

• Please Excuse My Younger Brothers

Haven’t read any of Nao Iwamoto’s works, but just a week ago watched a Manben episode with her; was impressed with the line work and backgrounds. Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom movie, an adaptation of Iwamoto’s earlier work, was good as well, so I’m looking forward to it.

• Rokuhou-dou Yotsuiro Biyori
• Kimi to Boku