Rating: B This episode may not have the action elements that the previous two episodes (especially episode 11) had, but it nonetheless delivers a far greater and sharper punch, partly by solving two mysteries and delivering tantalizing hints of a new and much bigger one. The first (and more short-term) of the two mysteries isContinue reading “Apocalypse Bringer Mynoghra episode 12”
Tag Archives: Episode Review
Spice & Wolf (2024) episode 5
Rating: B+ Episode 4 ended with a crisis which demanded quick action. But while this series is many things, it’s definitely not an action series at heart. It has its own way of dealing with a crisis, and that is beautifully demonstrated by how episode 5 plays out. As much as the series is aboutContinue reading “Spice & Wolf (2024) episode 5”
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)”
The Apothecary Diaries, episode 21
Rating: B+ Though The Apothecary Diaries has been set up almost from the beginning to ship Maomao with Jinshi (and Jinshi is clearly starting to see her romantically even if Maomao is still repulsed), romance is not a major element in the series. It is not entirely devoid of romance, but those elements are locatedContinue reading “The Apothecary Diaries, episode 21”
The Apothecary Diaries, episode 17
Rating: A There have been other strong episodes in this series, but this one is a microcosm of what makes this series stand apart from most other series out there. Its brilliance is in the balance it achieves in its execution; while mostly a fun, light-hearted episode about Maomao helping Jinshi to pass as aContinue reading “The Apothecary Diaries, episode 17”
Oshi no Ko episode 5
Rating: 4 (of 5) In a recently posted interview on ANN, the writer for the source manga, Aka Akasaka, explains how he came up with the idea for this series and the process he went through to gather sufficient insider details to make the effort feel realistic. I recommend it as a complementary read forContinue reading “Oshi no Ko episode 5”
Oshi no Ko episode 4
Rating: B+ The writer for the source manga, Aka Akasaka, is probably even better-known as the creator of the acclaimed Kaguya-sama: Love is War source manga. That manga series got a live-action adaptation in 2019, prior to its highly-regarded anime form, and that first adaptation is widely-regarded as a bust, with an IMDb rating ofContinue reading “Oshi no Ko episode 4”
Oshi no Ko episode 3
Rating: B+ Since episode 2 aired, news has broken that the first episode of Oshi no Ko was HIDIVE’s biggest debut ever, and also that opening theme “Idol” is topping multiple Japanese music charts. (It’s also currently the top-rated show for the Spring 2023 season on MAL, even over the new season of Demon Slayer.)Continue reading “Oshi no Ko episode 3”
Oshi no Ko episode 2
Oshi no Ko delivered one of the best and most impactful opening episodes in years (though admittedly its extra-long length gave it an unfair advantage!), but because of the way it ended, episode 2 was the one which would really set the pace for its long-term direction. Seeing the latter convinced me that this series,Continue reading “Oshi no Ko episode 2”
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? IV episode 22 (season finale)
Rating: B+ Between last episode and this one, I saw some commentary in some online forums lamenting that Bell was once again be the hero and solo the Juggernaut. Even if I didn’t already know what was going to happen (from reading the novels), I still think I would have soundly refuted that complaint. ForContinue reading “Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? IV episode 22 (season finale)”
USA Anime 