Note: This commentary, which was inspired by the recent release of novel 13 in English, is designed to be accessible to those who have seen the entirety of the anime series and/or read the first five novels but are not familiar with the novel content beyond that. It deals with the structure of the storyContinue reading “Special: So I’m a Spider, So What? and Its Continuation in the Novels”
Author Archives: Theron
How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom episode 19
Rating: 3 I had wondered where the series would go next after wrapping things up so neatly last episode, and the answer was not what I expected: introduce a “mad scientist” character who looks like a little girl walking around in an adult-sized lab coat. (You never actually see her hands because they’re always farContinue reading “How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom episode 19”
How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom episode 18
Rating: 3.5 (of 5) With this episode, the series ties up the final bit of loose ends from the Elfreiden revolt, while also making official that Kazuya has a harem. But before we get to the latter, let’s look at the final clean-up effort, as that had some minor surprises of its own. Last episodeContinue reading “How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom episode 18”
Review: Interspecies Reviewers steelbox BD
Rating: 4 (of 5) Note: To see episode-by-episode commentary that I did as the series was airing, go here. This review offers more of an overview instead. Any adult who has ever played tabletop and/or electronic fantasy RPGs has probably wondered at some point where the sex is in the setting. After all, a diverseContinue reading “Review: Interspecies Reviewers steelbox BD”
Belle
Mamoru Hosoda is a director whose works I have had somewhat mixed reactions to. While I very much liked his Summer Wars, I found his Wolf Children to be too much a paean to an impossibly perfect mother. (I have never gotten around to seeing The Boy and the Beast or Mirai.) Hence I wasContinue reading “Belle”
Winter ’22 Preview: Salaryman’s Club
Note: Since this title is coming in so much later than the rest of the Winter 2022 Preview Guide, I am making it a separate entry. Streams: Crunchyroll on Saturdays Rating: 4 (of 5) The title on this one can be a little misleading, as while all of the main cast members are, indeed, salarymen,Continue reading “Winter ’22 Preview: Salaryman’s Club”
How a Realist Hero Rebuilds the Kingdom episode 17
Rating: 3.5 This episode is a tale of two parts: a part about death and a part about life going forward. For many reasons, it feels right to put them together in the same episode. The death part concerns the greatest lingering consequence of the internal strife within Elfreiden: the fate of the lionel, DukeContinue reading “How a Realist Hero Rebuilds the Kingdom episode 17”
How A Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom episode 16
Rating: 3.5 With this episode, the final resolution of the conflict over Amidonia seems to be done – at least for now, anyway. Julius isn’t happy about it, but there was no reasonable outcome where he was going to be happy, as the negotiations between Jeanne and Kazuya completely boxed him in (as they wereContinue reading “How A Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom episode 16”
How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom episode 15
Rating: 4 (of 5) Even for a series which is firmly focused on strategic thinking, devoting nearly an entire episode just to one long conversation is a bold move. It requires a special kind of dynamic to be able to pull that off without it getting boring, and few shows that have tried it inContinue reading “How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom episode 15”
How A Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom episode 14
Rating: 4 The series is back for its second half, and picking up right where it left off: arranging to deal with the Gran Chaos Empire as it arrives in Amidonia with a large army, all to advocate on behalf of Julius in his attempt to regain control of Amidonia and the capital city ofContinue reading “How A Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom episode 14”
USA Anime 