Rating: B- Whether you’re a newcomer to the franchise with this series or a long-established fan, this was always going to be the make-or-break episode for this adaptation’s first story arc: the point where Holo finally fully reveals her true form. Up until this point, the new adaptation has done a mostly-worthy job of matchingContinue reading “Spice & Wolf (2024) episode 6”
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An Archdemon’s Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride eps 5-6
Episode 5 Rating: B+ Episode 6 Rating: B Episode 4 ended with Zagan kicking Nephy out in an effort to distance her from the threats she might face by being associated with an Archdemon. The next two episodes demonstrate that, as well-intentioned as Zagan may have been, this was a terrible idea which negatively affectsContinue reading “An Archdemon’s Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride eps 5-6”
Spice & Wolf (2024) episode 2
Episode Rating: A- Episode 1 may have established the series’ operating premise, but episode 2 is the series’ make-or-break episode, the one which determines whether or not viewers are around for the long haul. That’s because most of the episode is one on-and-off conversation between Holo and Lawrence on a variety of matters, so theContinue reading “Spice & Wolf (2024) episode 2”
Review: Gushing Over Magical Girls
In the world of shy, average teenager Utena Hiiragi, magical girls become celebrities by openly fighting to defend cities from evil organization Enormita. Utena adores and idolizes Tres Magia, the trio which protects her city, so she jumps at the chance when mascot Venalita offer to make her able to transform, too. To her dismay,Continue reading “Review: Gushing Over Magical Girls”
Spring 2024 Preview Guide
Looks at the first episode of each anime series debuting in the Spring 2024, posted as they debut!
Winter 2024 Wrap-Up
With the last handful of titles for the Winter 2024 season having now aired, let’s take a summative look at what worked well and what didn’t this season. Because of the high volume of titles I managed to follow this season, covering every one of them here would make this post cumbersomely long. Hence IContinue reading “Winter 2024 Wrap-Up”
The Apothecary Diaries, episode 24 (season finale)
Episode Rating: A Overall Series Rating: A After the dramatic events, revelations, and symbolism of last episode, there was really only one final climax possible for this series, but that doesn’t make Lakan discovering and then picking Fengxian as the courtesan he’s going to buy out any less moving or satisfying. He’s intuitive enough toContinue reading “The Apothecary Diaries, episode 24 (season finale)”
8 Lessons From Frieren
With its 28th episode, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End ends its initial run. By any reasonable metric, it has been a huge hit on both sides of the Pacific, to the degree that it not eventually getting further animation is inconceivable. (My guess is that we’ll see more late next year.) I could write a fullContinue reading “8 Lessons From Frieren”
The Apothecary Diaries, episode 23
Rating: A The Apothecary Diaries is undeniably Maomao’s series, though Jinshi has increasingly had his viewpoint represented of late. That makes episode 23 a major aberration, since not once during the episode is Maomao’s perspective used. However, despite our adorable little freak being limited to what essentially amounts to a supporting role, and despite theContinue reading “The Apothecary Diaries, episode 23”
The Apothecary Diaries, episode 22
Rating: A- Though he’s hardly one of the more likable characters in the series, Lakan is still an intriguing one. He’s ferociously smart and a superior judge of character and ability (last episode strongly implied that he is responsible for Lihaku being where he is, for instance), which allows him to maintain a high positionContinue reading “The Apothecary Diaries, episode 22”