Tag Archives: Review

The Apothecary Diaries, episode 36

Rating: A- Since writing the review for episode 35, I’ve seen some discussion from those familiar with the source material which advocates that last episode would have been better-served running about a minute farther into the scene in the cave than it did. I didn’t agree with that assertion at the time, and I disagreeContinue reading “The Apothecary Diaries, episode 36”

SERIES REVIEW: Magic Maker: How to Make Magic in Another World

I was not originally planning to give a separate review for this series as a whole, but this is easily the most underrated and underappreciated series I saw in the Winter 2025 season, so I’m doing this review in part to call attention to the merits of a series which is more unconventional than itContinue reading “SERIES REVIEW: Magic Maker: How to Make Magic in Another World”

Special: A Look at Non-Japanese Isekai

Over the past several months I’ve started looking into current isekai stories from non-Japanese sources. That trends in this genre outside of Japan closely mirror what’s going on in Japan is no surprise, though some of these works ape the construction and signature characteristics of current Narou-influenced isekai more than others. Before we get intoContinue reading “Special: A Look at Non-Japanese Isekai”

The Apothecary Diaries, episode 33

Rating: A Many fans of the novels and manga are eagerly anticipating the upcoming episode explaining why a frog is featured in the OP. For me, though, the most anticipated episode of this cour of the series is this one, the one which dealt most squarely with Empress Dowager Anshi and the previous Emperor. DespiteContinue reading “The Apothecary Diaries, episode 33”

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? V episode 15 (season finale)

Rating: A DanMachi may not always be the best-looking or most flawlessly-animated series, but it has rarely fallen short on dramatic presentation and does better than most when it comes to delivering on its biggest moments. That is no less true for this season finale, which brings to a conclusion the anime’s adaptation of novelsContinue reading “Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? V episode 15 (season finale)”

The Apothecary Diaries, episode 32

Rating: B+ Last episode’s mystery with the shrine provide a glimpse into the setting’s broader history. This episode, by contrast, looks at the closer history of the setting by starting to expand on Jinshi’s dream sequence from the beginning of last episode. (In the manga version, that dream sequence comes immediately before the content ofContinue reading “The Apothecary Diaries, episode 32”

Winter 2025 Mid-Season Report, part 2

This half deals with titles which hit either their 6th or 7th episodes during the week of 2/17/25-2/23/25. It also includes the remainder of season 3 of Arifureta, which finished airing during this time frame. Arifureta s3 episodes 12-16 Rating (these episodes only): B- After a short delay, the third season of Arifureta finished itsContinue reading “Winter 2025 Mid-Season Report, part 2”

The Apothecary Diaries, episode 31

Rating: B+ The episode titled “The Shrine of Choosing” primarily involves one mystery while also setting up another. Unlike many other mysteries in the series, though, these aren’t life-or-death matters or (necessarily) connected to a bigger plot. Instead, these are mysteries which delves into the history of the setting. The one that’s being set upContinue reading “The Apothecary Diaries, episode 31”

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? V episodes 12 and 13

While both episodes are covered together here, I felt I had enough to say specifically about each to write each one up separately. Rating – Episode 12: A Though its animation effort may have its flaws, DanMachi has always excelled above most other fantasy series in the dramatic staging of its fights and the emotionsContinue reading “Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? V episodes 12 and 13”