Winter 2018 Week 4

We are now at the end of week 4 which for some shows means the first third has already passed. This has been an interesting season in that I’ve tried quite a range of shows. Ultimately, a lot haven’t really worked out for me but there are still enough shows holding my interest. Besides, March Comes in Like a Lion is still airing and that by itself is enough to make me appreciate a season.

So, of the shows you have given a go to, what is your current pick for favourite of the season?

And in case you missed it, the ongoing count down finally came to an end. You can check out the announcement here.

Must Watch

March Comes in Like a Lion Season 2 (Episode 37)

This episode gave me what I asked for. Rei may not have stupidly won (and let’s be honest, he really shouldn’t beat the master the first time he plays them) but he did put on a great show of how far he has come both personally and as a professional over the course of this series. Very low key episode but deeply satisfying.

Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens (Episode 3)

I’m not going to argue that this is a technically perfect show by any means, but it is really fun watching so far (with the small caution that you can’t be squeamish about murder given almost every character is a hired killer of some sort). After episode 3, I’m moving this to my must watch list because for me if I get busy and can only watch a couple of shows, this is going to be one of them.

Usually Entertaining

The Ancient Magus’ Bride (Episode 16)

The main story line of this show continues to be fairly much a matter of one step forward and then freeze right there while we deal with all the emotions of everyone and get some back story. It isn’t bad but after 16 episodes, I kind of feel like their just needs to be more progress so despite enjoying most episodes, I’m finding the series overall just a little bit lacking at this point.

Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card (Episode 4)

Still good fun as Sakura goes about capturing cards meanwhile everyone else seems to have some kind of hidden agenda. So business as usual really with much better animation given they have definitely updated this show’s look while managing to capture the spirit of the original.

DARLING in the FRANXX (Episode 3)

This continues to be a fairly good watch. It isn’t exactly blowing me away but I am interested in learning more about this world and seeing more robots fighting whatever those things are supposed to be (I’m sure they will tell us clearly at some point). Anyway, the reviews for this one are password protected for patrons this season.

Okay, I Guess

Kokkoku (Episode 4)

The mystery continues to develop and I’m curious about where this is going. I’d love it to continue to build and rise into usually entertaining, and yet unless the characters get some real development I don’t see this really rising in the list at this point. There’s some interesting concepts at play, but unless I can care about the cast I’m not going to get overly invested in this one.

Record of Grancrest War (Episode 4)

There was definitely an improvement this week in the narrative with some actual set-backs befalling our heroes and this show may yet claw its way back to usually entertaining. We’ll wait and see because Theo, as nice as he is, really does need to develop a little bit more personality if this show is going to end up anything but forgettable.

School Babysitters (Episode 4)

We had a small punch to the emotional gut during this episode but otherwise it continued being its adorable self. I’m kind of glad I’m sticking with this despite it being full of overly cute toddlers. So far it has managed to balanced its sickly sweet moments with some genuine human drama and the mix has worked well.

How to Keep A Mummy (Episode 3)

Cute, cute, cute! Okay, there’s really nothing else to say about this. You are either in it for the cute mummy or you are probably going to be bored silly. But that mummy is cute.

DamePri Anime Caravan (Episode 4)

Watchable but not particularly good remains a good description of this. It actually is pretty funny, in a weird and over the top manner, and I kind of like the characters despite them all being really annoying people. It is odd given this show is full of things I usually find truly irritating and yet I usually end up smiling while watching.

Junji Ito Collection (Episode 4)

Another two stories of weirdness maintaining the same iffy quality and average delivery. This show is consistent at least though it would be lovely if it could see some improvement.

Sanrio Boys (Episode 4)

I’m actually wondering if this one is better than Death March at this point. First two episodes were better than expected from advertising disguised as anime but episodes 3 and 4 have taken a definite downward turn. Episode 5 will be the decider, I guess.

Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody (Episode 3)

A small improvement over last week’s effort but episode 3 wasn’t any more exciting, it just had more stuff happen in that the character acted indifferently too. Some of the new characters are kind of interesting though so might managed to make the next episode kind of okay.

They Made This?

Nothing yet.

Tried and Dropped (or on hold)

• Maerchen Maedchen (Episode 3)
• Hakyuu Houshin Engi (Episode 2)
• A Place Further Than The Universe (Episode 1)
• Hakumei and Mikochi (Episode 1)
• Katana Maidens ~Toji no Miko (Episode 2)
• Laid-Back Camp (Episode 1)
• Ms Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles (Episode 1)
• Citrus (Episode 1)
• Mitsuboshi Colors (Episode 1)
• Slow Start (Episode 1)
• The Ryou’s Work is Never Done (Episode 1)
• Working Buddies! (Episode 1)
• Karakai Jozu no Takagi-San (Episode 1)
• Mitchiri Neko (Episode 1)
• Pop Team Epic (Episode 1)

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Thanks for reading.

Karandi James

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