Rating: B+ With this episode, this take on the source novels begins its adaptation of the second novel. It equates to episode 8 of the original series, since the original episode 7 was only released on DVD and adapts a short story which comes up later in the novels (but chronologically happens between novels 1Continue reading “Spice & Wolf (2024) episode 7”
Tag Archives: Review
Spring ’24 Mid-Season Report, Part 1
We’re approaching the midpoint of the Spring 2024 season, and thanks to having more free time on my hands than expected, I am still keeping up with way too many series. Hence, to keep this mid-season round-up from getting too cumbersome, I am once again splitting it into two parts. Last time I split theContinue reading “Spring ’24 Mid-Season Report, Part 1”
Spice & Wolf (2024) episode 6
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”
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”
Spica & Wolf (2024) episode 3 + English dub
Episode Rating: B+ This week the English simuldub begins, lagging two weeks behind. Brina Palencia and J. Michael Tatum are back reprising their roles from the dub of the first series, and all’s right with the world. While they had an unenviably tough act to follow in voicing the two protagonists, their performances are widely-regardedContinue reading “Spica & Wolf (2024) episode 3 + English dub”
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”
Spice & Wolf: merchant meets wise wolf episode 1
Note: Because I find this title obnoxiously long, I will hereafter be titling these Spice & Wolf (2024). Rating: B+ The base concept here seems simple enough: a great wolf has spent centuries being the goddess of the wheat in one village, but due to the advent of advanced farming methods, she no longer feelsContinue reading “Spice & Wolf: merchant meets wise wolf episode 1”
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 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 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”