Rating: A- No matter her situation, Maomao can’t stop being Maomao. The narrator spoke to this at the end of episode 1, and we’ve seen countless examples of it over the course of the series, but nowhere is that statement more true than in this episode. Though not treated as a hostage, that’s what MaomaoContinue reading “The Apothecary Diaries, episode 43”
Tag Archives: Review
Spring 2025 Mid-Season Report, part 2
See here for part 1. This half of the report covers the rest of the titles I’m following that didn’t make part 1. All of these titles have hit either episode 6 or (in most cases) episode 7 since part 1 was posted. Additionally, a look at one title which debuted too late to makeContinue reading “Spring 2025 Mid-Season Report, part 2”
Spring 2025 Mid-Season Report, part 1
With the Spring 2025 season entering its seventh week, it’s time to take a look at how some of the season’s titles are doing so far. While I’ve taken a conscious effort to be a bit more conservative on my viewing list for this season, I still wound up following 20 series which debuted orContinue reading “Spring 2025 Mid-Season Report, part 1”
The Apothecary Diaries, episode 42
Rating: A- On a couple of occasions in this series’ run, we’ve had episodes where Jinshi was either functionally or completely absent. However, this episode is, I believe, the first one where Maomao has nothing more than a cameo appearance. Remarkably, that doesn’t weaken the series one bit because it still has Jinshi, and he’sContinue reading “The Apothecary Diaries, episode 42”
The Apothecary Diaries, episode 41
Rating: B+ The writing and pacing of The Apothecary Diaries have always been skillful at providing some answers while continuing to raise other questions, and episode 41, “Fox Village,” is no different. It provides a couple of big reveals but nowhere near the full truth on what’s going on and redirects some previous mysteries. MuchContinue reading “The Apothecary Diaries, episode 41”
The Apothecary Diaries, episode 40
Rating: A I expected the intrigue to ramp up a bit with the return of Loumen to the Rear Palace, as a person with his insight, expertise, and experience is the kind of person who could be a catalyst for action even if he’s not directly part of it. Episode 40 shows how completely IContinue reading “The Apothecary Diaries, episode 40”
Review: I May Be a Guild Receptionist,but I’ll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time
In Alina Clover’s fantasy world, adventuring is a real (if dangerous) profession and an Adventurers Guild exists to manage job requests and dungeons left behind by a lost, more powerful predecessor civilization. Alina isn’t an adventurer, though, or at least not officially; she opted instead to become a guild receptionist, partly on the recommendation ofContinue reading “Review: I May Be a Guild Receptionist,but I’ll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time”
The Apothecary Diaries, episode 38
Rating: A- One of the neatest aspects of this series is the depth of its cast. Maomao and (to a lesser extent) Jinshi are clearly the stars, but all four of the high-level concubines also have their strong appeals: Gyokuyou is the clever and mischievous one (as we see again in this episode), Lihua isContinue reading “The Apothecary Diaries, episode 38”
The Apothecary Diaries episode 37
Rating: B+ Even The Apothecary Diaries isn’t free of the seemingly-ubiquitous bathing episode in anime titles, as this episode proves with Maomao, Xiaolin, and Shisui spending much of the episode in the Rear Palace’s baths or concerned with what goes on there. The difference here is that this may be one of the least sexyContinue reading “The Apothecary Diaries episode 37”
Winter 2025 Wrap-Up
Due to some production delays, not all Winter ’25 series that aren’t continuing into the Spring ’25 season have wrapped at this point; both My Happy Marriage and I Left My A-Rank Party still have episodes to air as of 3/31/25. However, with the Spring ’25 Preview Guide getting underway, I have decided not waitContinue reading “Winter 2025 Wrap-Up”
USA Anime 