Winter 2018 Week 9

Another week gone and we’re closing in on the final leg of the Winter Anime season, which means next week I need to actually start the poll for favourite show of the season. I’m pretty sure I know what is going to win, and I’m pretty sure it wasn’t on my watch list, but that’s okay. That’s why it’s the reader’s choice.

Once again, I’ve been experimenting with this whole audio thing and what I learned this week was that I will have to move this post to Saturday’s because I just don’t have the time on Friday to really feel comfortable with what I ended up producing. I know that even moving it to Saturday will just give me more time to procrastinate and make changes that ultimately won’t really improve the overall quality but I might feel better about it. So that will probably happen next week but for now my rushed attempt this week after getting home from work is below for you to listen to, and once again feedback is greatly appreciated as I learn my way around this.

Anyway, as always, I would love to know your thoughts on the shows of the season so leave me a comment and this week, let’s make a prediction about what will win the reader’s poll when I actually get it started.

Must Watch

March Comes in Like a Lion Season 2 (Episode 39)

Finally it is back and I loved this episode even though Rei was very much a side character. Shimada and Yanagihara certainly held up their part of the story and the match between the two of them is far more tense than I expected it to be. I honestly cannot wait until next week and I really want to see what happens in the match.

Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens (Episode 8)

I really think this particular arc should have been stretched further to actually give the villains some time to develop and to make the audience care whether they were defeated. At the same time, I’m glad this didn’t feel like it dragged. We had the set up, the trick, the reveal, and then the inevitable villains get taken down/arrested sequence before we got to see the cast go out to eat (not ramen this time). Good fun, but a few minor things that felt like they could have had a bit more done with them.

Usually Entertaining

The Ancient Magus’ Bride (Episode 21)

Elias was walking a dangerous path this week and it will be interesting to see what the fallout is next week. I’m still not entirely convinced that Chise needed another curse to try to overcome, but that’s neither here nor there. At least the show seems to be wanting to head toward an interesting conclusion.

Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card (Episode 9)

The aquarium episode showcased a lot of the strengths of this show. Cute date episode, some older brother mystery, a fantastic costume change, and an exciting capture. While there are some minor complaints about the repetition of subject matter that could get made here, mostly this was excellent fun this week.

Okay, I Guess

DARLING in the FRANXX (Episode 8 – reviewed for patrons)

This episode was pretty solid despite its silly premise and another couple of episodes like this will see me shift this back up to the Usually Entertaining. It would be nice if the show had finally settled a bit or would find a tone. And further world building would be appreciated.

Spiritpact Season 2 (Episode 2)

They seem to have upped the boys love aspect of this for season 2, not that I’m complaining as I really enjoy those moments between Tanmoku and Keika. They also seem more determined to push the plot rather than focus on the comedy (though the comedy is still there), which is also something that I appreciate. Hopefully this season can keep getting better as season 1 improved enormously as it went.

Kokkoku (Episode 9)

Despite adding in a villain to the show, it is still fumbling about and hasn’t really managed to justify why the characters are still doing what they are doing. The obvious answer is for them to just walk away and yet we’re still running around in stasis. It makes for a frustrating viewing experience because you kind of want it to be better but it doesn’t quite get there.

School Babysitters (Episode 9)

Beach episode. Do I actually need to say more than that? I guess I should, but mostly that’s what this amounts to. Beach episode followed by moral lesson the week for Taka which will probably be forgotten in the next episode.

How to Keep A Mummy (Episode 8)

I might be getting cute fatigue. This episode was arguably as cute as the previous ones but I was distracted while watching. Actually, I was actively distracting myself this week. It really wasn’t anything to do with the episode. Mii and the others going to day care together at a shrine was adorable as expected. I just found myself marking time while it was airing though.

Record of Grancrest War (Episode 9)

I moved this one up because it seems like they have the potential to turn some of the problems of the series around and episode 9 was actually a really solid viewing experience. That said, I’m not going to hold my breath that this improvement continues. Still, I am curious as to what they will do next.

DamePri Anime Caravan (Episode 9)

This show seems to have found its fun again, and managed to set up a lead in to what might be a dramatic ending. Again, not going to expect too much as this show has been strictly average from the beginning, but it is promising a return to average after its really kind of dull middle.

Junji Ito Collection (Episode 9)

I’d love to say that this is the worse show I am watching, unfortunately that isn’t actually true. Because realistically everything in this show does work, it just isn’t interesting or reaching any kind of impact. It just kind of happens. So, functional but lacking in entertainment value which still wins out over advertising disguised as anime and an adaptation that just didn’t understand adapting something doesn’t mean just walking through the words in the novel but actually thinking about how to make it interesting.

Sanrio Boys (Episode 9)

Okay, I said I’d drop this down a category is Kouta didn’t make a decision, and technically he didn’t (he decided to let someone else decide) but I don’t think this episode was bad enough that this show belongs in the ‘They Made This Category’. It was vapid and empty of anything other than boys posing for fans but it wasn’t actually malfunctioning as an episode. So Sanrio remains in the ‘Okay, I Guess’ ranks for another week.

They Made This?

Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody (Episode 8)

And this one is staying right here after yet another lacklustre week even with an Undead King and a dungeon crawl. Seriously, this story knows how to make inherently interesting subject matter pretty dull to watch.

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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