December 5th, 2025
Bukiyou na Senpai: The Boss Babe
Anime Relations: Bukiyou na Senpai.
When Bukiyou na Senpai (My Awkward Senpai) first aired my hackles rose because of a boss that I had many years back. I even made a note that I was not sure whether I wanted to watch this at all. However, because it is sometimes difficult to find anything non-isekai to watch I stuck with it, and the story developed quite well. Azusa Kannawa is the boss babe in question, and she was the one responsible for my raised hackles.
My boss way back was also a blonde woman, and could be as sweet as a bowl of sugar, but her mood could swing at any moment, turning her into an irrational, angry woman who was quick to remind everybody that it was HER company. She also never listened to what we told her, considering technical staff beneath her. I eventually left and a few years later had the pleasure of walking through the premises and marking off the equipment that had to be moved after my new employer had bought her out.
Azusa gave off similar vibes, although she turned out to be competent, hard working, thoughtful and happy to guide and nurture the amiable Yuu Kamegawa.
The result is an ever growing attraction between the pair, and all the clumsiness and awkwardness that is the result. The more I see of her, the more I admire her. She has many awkward moments but I have never seen her abuse her position. She is actually a very competent person who seems to be well liked by her co-workers too.
There are 2 episodes to run, and the ending is pretty much obvious, but I have changed my stance on her. She is nothing like my ex boss from way back, she is just so much better.
I will update my thoughts once the season ends.
My boss way back was also a blonde woman, and could be as sweet as a bowl of sugar, but her mood could swing at any moment, turning her into an irrational, angry woman who was quick to remind everybody that it was HER company. She also never listened to what we told her, considering technical staff beneath her. I eventually left and a few years later had the pleasure of walking through the premises and marking off the equipment that had to be moved after my new employer had bought her out.
Azusa gave off similar vibes, although she turned out to be competent, hard working, thoughtful and happy to guide and nurture the amiable Yuu Kamegawa.
The result is an ever growing attraction between the pair, and all the clumsiness and awkwardness that is the result. The more I see of her, the more I admire her. She has many awkward moments but I have never seen her abuse her position. She is actually a very competent person who seems to be well liked by her co-workers too.
There are 2 episodes to run, and the ending is pretty much obvious, but I have changed my stance on her. She is nothing like my ex boss from way back, she is just so much better.
I will update my thoughts once the season ends.
Posted by nixops | Dec 5, 3:01 AM | 0 comments
August 28th, 2025
Dan Dan Dan Dan Dan Dan Dan
Anime Relations: Dandadan, Dandadan 2nd Season
One of the more surprising shows of the last season of 2024 was Dandadan. The premise was that the typical nerd (Takakura Ken) teams up with the typical gyaru (Ayase Momo) to fight against aliens and spirits (or that was the idea at any rate). In short it was amazing! Momo was the star, she is loud and expressive and probably the last girl character you would expect to have any sort of redeeming qualities. However, she is caring and brave and funny and cute too, whereas Ken (aka Okarun) is kind of awkward and apologetic and realistically a nice guy, provided he can overcome his shyness and you discuss conspiracy theories.
The other two characters Jin Enjouji and Aira Shiratori are really just bit players in the grand game. Then there is Seiko Ayase, who is Momo's grandmother (and a very untypical one at that). She is a spirit medium and she is in the story to provide an exit point or resolution for all the things that go bump in the night.
The plot line really involves this group's encounter with a bunch of oddball aliens, and two very powerful spirits. The animation is vast, often over-exaggerated and colourful, the music is forgetful, and the story waivers between funny and serious.
Episode 7 deserves a mention because it is a story within a story, and motivation for one of the spirits that Momo and Okarun go against. It is brutal, sad and moving, and when it finished airing you could hear the proverbial pin drop. I suspect many tissues were used in that episode.
The first season of Dandadan was amazing, the 2nd not as much, although I am still busy with it so will do an update later. I do think that Jin ruined the characters, but that's my opinion. I rated the first season 9/10 and is has an ranking of 163 and a score of 8.47.
As for the 2nd series, it was less than great, in fact Momo hardly even featured, and that other idiot JiJi hogged the story line. The whole thing felt like a rush to get it out and to be honest I was less than impressed. If anything the last episode pretty much confirms that this show is turning into a harem. Bah humbug. I rated it 8/10 because it was a fun watch and I enjoyed Momo and her sidekicks antics, but storywise? it flopped.
The other two characters Jin Enjouji and Aira Shiratori are really just bit players in the grand game. Then there is Seiko Ayase, who is Momo's grandmother (and a very untypical one at that). She is a spirit medium and she is in the story to provide an exit point or resolution for all the things that go bump in the night.
The plot line really involves this group's encounter with a bunch of oddball aliens, and two very powerful spirits. The animation is vast, often over-exaggerated and colourful, the music is forgetful, and the story waivers between funny and serious.
Episode 7 deserves a mention because it is a story within a story, and motivation for one of the spirits that Momo and Okarun go against. It is brutal, sad and moving, and when it finished airing you could hear the proverbial pin drop. I suspect many tissues were used in that episode.
The first season of Dandadan was amazing, the 2nd not as much, although I am still busy with it so will do an update later. I do think that Jin ruined the characters, but that's my opinion. I rated the first season 9/10 and is has an ranking of 163 and a score of 8.47.
As for the 2nd series, it was less than great, in fact Momo hardly even featured, and that other idiot JiJi hogged the story line. The whole thing felt like a rush to get it out and to be honest I was less than impressed. If anything the last episode pretty much confirms that this show is turning into a harem. Bah humbug. I rated it 8/10 because it was a fun watch and I enjoyed Momo and her sidekicks antics, but storywise? it flopped.
Posted by nixops | Aug 28, 12:28 AM | 0 comments
July 26th, 2025
Takopii no Genzai
Anime Relations: 3-gatsu no Lion 2nd Season, Takopii no Genzai
Last night I binged the first 5 episodes of Takopii no Genzai. I had not picked this up when it first started flighting, but read that it was causing quite a discussion amongst Otaku. It is currently ranked 16th and has a score of 8.95 so something must be creating this hype.
To be honest the first episode was jarring. Did I really want to watch this girl being bullied? And what is it about this octopus that makes me want to throw things at him? Yes, the episode was brutal and graphic, and it was helped along this path by some edgy animation.
Every now and then an anime touches on almost verboten topics, and the one episode of 3 Gatsu no Lion is the one that stands out for me the most. Having suffered bullying to a lesser extent I understand the anger at those who casually destroy lives because they get a vicarious kick out of it.
But I digress. The problem with Takopii is that he lives in a happy pink lalaland all of his own, with no understanding of the dynamics around him. After all, he can solve anything with gadgets that seem to create happiness. Although in the case of Shizuka that is not true. My initial reaction to Marina was anger, but as the anime progressed it became clear that Marina lived in her own personal nightmare not of her making.
The 5th episode told her story in graphic and often sickening detail, you cannot help but have empathy for her, she is a tragic victim, she just gets sucked along by the very adults who are supposed to raise and love her. Somebody pretty much said it better than I could: "Hurt people hurt people".
And so onward to the last episode. There appear to be 2 camps, those who hate it and those who loved it. Personally I felt it was a bit too rushed but it tied up most of the loose ends with the children, but neglected the elephants in the room that were the cause of it all. Takopii however now knows that no matter what he does it will ripple downstream and affect something else. He reflects on his actions and takes the best path open to him. The end. Tissues anybody?
The one thing that I did like was how the show dealt with the many issues around bullying. It was brutal and hard to watch, but there was that element of the story behind the story that came out as the show progressed. There are lessons to be learnt though, and at the end everybody learns something, especially our squshy pink octopuddy.
Was it a great anime worthy of being AOTY? Heck no. But it is light years better than 90% of the crappy isekai drivel that gets churned out every season. It definitely deserves rating way near the top of great anime. If an anime makes you think then it has achieved something. I am still thinking.
Do not forget to watch all the credits and the part after the credits because those few seconds are very very important.
I rated the show 9/10 and it lost a point because I do think the last episode needed a wee bit more closure pi.
To be honest the first episode was jarring. Did I really want to watch this girl being bullied? And what is it about this octopus that makes me want to throw things at him? Yes, the episode was brutal and graphic, and it was helped along this path by some edgy animation.
Every now and then an anime touches on almost verboten topics, and the one episode of 3 Gatsu no Lion is the one that stands out for me the most. Having suffered bullying to a lesser extent I understand the anger at those who casually destroy lives because they get a vicarious kick out of it.
But I digress. The problem with Takopii is that he lives in a happy pink lalaland all of his own, with no understanding of the dynamics around him. After all, he can solve anything with gadgets that seem to create happiness. Although in the case of Shizuka that is not true. My initial reaction to Marina was anger, but as the anime progressed it became clear that Marina lived in her own personal nightmare not of her making.
The 5th episode told her story in graphic and often sickening detail, you cannot help but have empathy for her, she is a tragic victim, she just gets sucked along by the very adults who are supposed to raise and love her. Somebody pretty much said it better than I could: "Hurt people hurt people".
And so onward to the last episode. There appear to be 2 camps, those who hate it and those who loved it. Personally I felt it was a bit too rushed but it tied up most of the loose ends with the children, but neglected the elephants in the room that were the cause of it all. Takopii however now knows that no matter what he does it will ripple downstream and affect something else. He reflects on his actions and takes the best path open to him. The end. Tissues anybody?
The one thing that I did like was how the show dealt with the many issues around bullying. It was brutal and hard to watch, but there was that element of the story behind the story that came out as the show progressed. There are lessons to be learnt though, and at the end everybody learns something, especially our squshy pink octopuddy.
Was it a great anime worthy of being AOTY? Heck no. But it is light years better than 90% of the crappy isekai drivel that gets churned out every season. It definitely deserves rating way near the top of great anime. If an anime makes you think then it has achieved something. I am still thinking.
Do not forget to watch all the credits and the part after the credits because those few seconds are very very important.
I rated the show 9/10 and it lost a point because I do think the last episode needed a wee bit more closure pi.
Posted by nixops | Jul 26, 4:52 AM | 1 comments
June 8th, 2024
Mushing about Mushoku
Anime Relations: Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu, Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu Part 2, Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu - Eris no Goblin Toubatsu, Mushoku Tensei II: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu, Mushoku Tensei II: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu - Shugo Jutsushi Fitz, Mushoku Tensei II: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu Part 2
I am currently rewatching the whole of Mushoku Tensei, having paused the currently running series till I have caught up. I recall watching the first season way back in October 2011, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I do feel that it would have been much better if some of the sexual references were left out, but that is MHO.
It is really yet another Isekai, although Mush (as I shall call it from now on), is a thinking man's isekai because it actually has a plot, and is not a load of cobblers tacked together, to pander to the tastes of people who seemingly get enthralled over the genre.
Not only does it have a plot, it also has a well constructed world, social system, lifeforms and characters. That pretty much makes it way better than anything that starts off with "I resurrected as a ...." (insert name here). or "I am a .... (insert name here) trapped in a .... (insert name here). Let us face it, from a credibility point of view a lot of the isekai are weak, boring and meaningless drivel.
Speaking of characters, the story revolves around Rudeus Greyrat, a social outcast that gets reborn into another world, and unusually for an isekai it actually deals with him being born, and not mysteriously appearing fully clothed, capable of all sorts of things and often being part of the nobler than thou faction.
Along the way he encounters 3 girls: Roxy, Sylphiette, and Eris. All 3 are major influences in various periods of his life. Roxy, becomes his magic teacher and his preteen love interest. Sylphi becomes his childhood friend, and Eris becomes fellow traveller following a mysterious event that leaves him stranded in a strange land.
I will not go into details, but it is hard to say which of the 3 is best because each has good points about them. Personally I really liked Eris because her character develops into something really amazing.
Along their path Rudeus encounters all manner of individuals and each is woven into the story and both seasons, and that is why I rewatched the series. I really felt that I needed a refresher course in Mush, and I am glad that I did. I am currently at episode 15 of the 2nd series (I wish Crunchroll would number stuff logically), and will be caught up by next week and shall complete this random ramble when I have done so.
At no point was I really thinking "I have had enough, I am outa here", even when things got a bit weird. The important thing is that Rudeus matures, and in his maturation he achieves many things and learns the responsibility that comes with adulthood. He learns to love and he learns that even his seemingly new world has flaws, and people mess up, and he can abuse his power or he can use it wisely. Fortunately he chooses the latter, because Rudeus has become one heck of a powerful mage.
I look forward to the end of the series, but am saddened because something good will have ended, and then we are back to the tired isekai rubbish that is flooding anime.
To be continued.
It is really yet another Isekai, although Mush (as I shall call it from now on), is a thinking man's isekai because it actually has a plot, and is not a load of cobblers tacked together, to pander to the tastes of people who seemingly get enthralled over the genre.
Not only does it have a plot, it also has a well constructed world, social system, lifeforms and characters. That pretty much makes it way better than anything that starts off with "I resurrected as a ...." (insert name here). or "I am a .... (insert name here) trapped in a .... (insert name here). Let us face it, from a credibility point of view a lot of the isekai are weak, boring and meaningless drivel.
Speaking of characters, the story revolves around Rudeus Greyrat, a social outcast that gets reborn into another world, and unusually for an isekai it actually deals with him being born, and not mysteriously appearing fully clothed, capable of all sorts of things and often being part of the nobler than thou faction.
Along the way he encounters 3 girls: Roxy, Sylphiette, and Eris. All 3 are major influences in various periods of his life. Roxy, becomes his magic teacher and his preteen love interest. Sylphi becomes his childhood friend, and Eris becomes fellow traveller following a mysterious event that leaves him stranded in a strange land.
I will not go into details, but it is hard to say which of the 3 is best because each has good points about them. Personally I really liked Eris because her character develops into something really amazing.
Along their path Rudeus encounters all manner of individuals and each is woven into the story and both seasons, and that is why I rewatched the series. I really felt that I needed a refresher course in Mush, and I am glad that I did. I am currently at episode 15 of the 2nd series (I wish Crunchroll would number stuff logically), and will be caught up by next week and shall complete this random ramble when I have done so.
At no point was I really thinking "I have had enough, I am outa here", even when things got a bit weird. The important thing is that Rudeus matures, and in his maturation he achieves many things and learns the responsibility that comes with adulthood. He learns to love and he learns that even his seemingly new world has flaws, and people mess up, and he can abuse his power or he can use it wisely. Fortunately he chooses the latter, because Rudeus has become one heck of a powerful mage.
I look forward to the end of the series, but am saddened because something good will have ended, and then we are back to the tired isekai rubbish that is flooding anime.
To be continued.
Posted by nixops | Jun 8, 2024 5:08 AM | 0 comments
December 31st, 2023
ZOM100.... aye or nay
Anime Relations: Zom 100: Zombie ni Naru made ni Shitai 100 no Koto
When the colourful "Zom 100 Bucketlist of the Dead" (Zom 100: Zombie ni Naru made ni Shitai 100 no Koto) popped up this year I was blown away. This was an intelligent Zombie series! and it looked good and worked very well. However, all was not good in the bucket and Zom went down after episode 9. Seemingly a victim of covid, overwork, technical problems, apathy, lethargy and any other excuse that could be wielded.
And thus Zom 100 became forgotten. just an entry at the bottom of a long list of new shows that took it's place. Heck, competing against Maomao and Frieren would tax the brain of any zombie fan. Zom got left even further behind as a result. Should I dump it into my "dropped" list? would we ever see what happened?
This weekend I saw 3 new episodes listed at my anime watching site and I hit the button as soon as I could. Never mind that it had been away for so long, we were just dumped smack bang into zomland. The new episodes were great, delivering closure for each character in quite innovative ways. The sparkle was still there, but the long hiatus had made me forget each one (and their individual quirks), so at times I had to wrack my brain trying to recall who was a good guy and who was not. Still it was a great watch and I could finally put the multi-coloured zombies to bed. The series gets an AYE! from me because it was so very different, but a NAY because it went awol for so long. Anime production companies should really realise that if they are unable to complete a series they should rather put off it's broadcast rather than doing a long pause and released dribs and drabs months afterwards. Their opposition loves it when that happens because they loose the competition and can garner all the votes when it comes to results and popularity.
Zom was probably one of the losers, which is a pity because it was one heck of a ride.
And thus Zom 100 became forgotten. just an entry at the bottom of a long list of new shows that took it's place. Heck, competing against Maomao and Frieren would tax the brain of any zombie fan. Zom got left even further behind as a result. Should I dump it into my "dropped" list? would we ever see what happened?
This weekend I saw 3 new episodes listed at my anime watching site and I hit the button as soon as I could. Never mind that it had been away for so long, we were just dumped smack bang into zomland. The new episodes were great, delivering closure for each character in quite innovative ways. The sparkle was still there, but the long hiatus had made me forget each one (and their individual quirks), so at times I had to wrack my brain trying to recall who was a good guy and who was not. Still it was a great watch and I could finally put the multi-coloured zombies to bed. The series gets an AYE! from me because it was so very different, but a NAY because it went awol for so long. Anime production companies should really realise that if they are unable to complete a series they should rather put off it's broadcast rather than doing a long pause and released dribs and drabs months afterwards. Their opposition loves it when that happens because they loose the competition and can garner all the votes when it comes to results and popularity.
Zom was probably one of the losers, which is a pity because it was one heck of a ride.
Posted by nixops | Dec 31, 2023 9:17 AM | 0 comments
May 7th, 2023
Quintessential watching
Anime Relations: 5-toubun no Hanayome, 5-toubun no Hanayome ∬, 5-toubun no Hanayome Movie, 5-toubun no Hanayome∽
I have just finished rewatching the 5-toubun no Hanayome Movie, aka The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie. And it was so much better the 2nd time around.
Overall I enjoyed the series a lot and on my other blog made a few notes after I saw each of the two seasons:
Season 1: "I have also rewatched 5-toubun no Hanayome (aka Gotoubun no Hanayome, (The Five Wedded Brides) ) for the 3rd time, and I have to admit I really enjoyed the show although some of the last few episodes are iffy. Basically a genius high school boy gets a job tutoring dysfunctional teenage quintuplet girls (this can only happen in an anime) . I think part of the attraction is the 5 different personalities that were cooked up for the female protagonists. The million dollar question is: “which girl is going to get the guy?” and I wont comment on the answer because it is somewhat of a nebulous thing depending on whether you read the manga or watch the anime. Much to my joy it has a second season starting in January so guess what is already on my watchlist? My preferences? 1. Miku, 2. Ichika and 3. Yotsuba. The other 2 quints (4. Itsuki and 5. Nino did not feature in my fantasy. I rated it an 8, not because it was well made or had wonderful visuals, but rather because it was a fun watch. I also read the manga but it started getting a bit too complicated for my liking. "
Season 2: "5-toubun no Hanayome ∬: The fearsome 5 are back and the studio and artwork has changed and seems to look more like the manga did. The usual grumpy quints are there although Itsuki is not as miserable as she was before so there may be hope for her after all. Still too early to know whether this season will be good or bad, the new look kinda takes away the softness and replaces it with sparkly. Unfortunately Nino still irritates!"
The 2nd season was a good watch because Itsuki came in from the cold and she won me over as a contender for a potential bride. Unfortunately Ichika lost my respect for what she did to Miku, but she was still a steady character. I liked how she tended to be rational at times with that feint hint of mischief surrounding her. Nino is still in the dogbox, and even more so. Miku is still best girl, and I like how she started to find herself more and more.
And then they made a movie.... and it is a great watch irrespective of the love and hates out there. I liked what they did and I respect who became the bride, she deserved it. But, part of me wanted one of the others to be the bride (except for sodding Nino). And, while I enjoyed Miku I think Itsuki should have been the bride. Miku was finding herself and growing in confidence and was in a better position to go it alone than she ever had been before. I always liked the chemistry with Itsuki, and she never really shows any "love interest" in Fu, she just seemed to fit well with him.
From an enjoyment pov, I have rewatched both seasons over 4 times, and it still charms and amuses (except when Nino is involved). Miku is still fun to watch and Itsuki grows on me because of how stubborn she is, but also how emotional, mature and hungry she always is. She really makes the story and in spite of my preference for Miku I think she should have been "The One". Anybody but sodding Nino!
Ok, why do I dislike Nino so much? spoilt, opinionated, and very self absorbed. Did I mention pompous? Let's put it like this: there are 4 better choices to be made. Just imagine what she would be like after 5 years of married life. But, she does redeem herself in the movie, and is almost likeable.
I see that there is more stuff to come this year, hopefully I will be alive to see it. Hopefully they won't change anything and hopefully everybody gets their chance to wear the sparkly (even Nino).
These are my own opinions and are only valid while I am alive.
Update 2025. My 4th (possibly 5th) rewatch and I still enjoy the series in spite of Nino. The more I watch Itsuki the more she stands out for me. Something about her really works well and I think she would be awesome as a real person. Her interaction with Raiha in the first season shows how rational she can be and also shows a softer side to her personality. QT is an amazing series because of the 5 individuals that each have their own charm and personality, and because of how you are really forced to decide on a favourite, only to want to pick again and again and again.
Something to think about:
Yotsuba is able to recognise Futaro when she meets him after so many years, whereas Nino is unable to figure out that Futaro is the same person as his so called cousin.
Overall I enjoyed the series a lot and on my other blog made a few notes after I saw each of the two seasons:
Season 1: "I have also rewatched 5-toubun no Hanayome (aka Gotoubun no Hanayome, (The Five Wedded Brides) ) for the 3rd time, and I have to admit I really enjoyed the show although some of the last few episodes are iffy. Basically a genius high school boy gets a job tutoring dysfunctional teenage quintuplet girls (this can only happen in an anime) . I think part of the attraction is the 5 different personalities that were cooked up for the female protagonists. The million dollar question is: “which girl is going to get the guy?” and I wont comment on the answer because it is somewhat of a nebulous thing depending on whether you read the manga or watch the anime. Much to my joy it has a second season starting in January so guess what is already on my watchlist? My preferences? 1. Miku, 2. Ichika and 3. Yotsuba. The other 2 quints (4. Itsuki and 5. Nino did not feature in my fantasy. I rated it an 8, not because it was well made or had wonderful visuals, but rather because it was a fun watch. I also read the manga but it started getting a bit too complicated for my liking. "
Season 2: "5-toubun no Hanayome ∬: The fearsome 5 are back and the studio and artwork has changed and seems to look more like the manga did. The usual grumpy quints are there although Itsuki is not as miserable as she was before so there may be hope for her after all. Still too early to know whether this season will be good or bad, the new look kinda takes away the softness and replaces it with sparkly. Unfortunately Nino still irritates!"
The 2nd season was a good watch because Itsuki came in from the cold and she won me over as a contender for a potential bride. Unfortunately Ichika lost my respect for what she did to Miku, but she was still a steady character. I liked how she tended to be rational at times with that feint hint of mischief surrounding her. Nino is still in the dogbox, and even more so. Miku is still best girl, and I like how she started to find herself more and more.
And then they made a movie.... and it is a great watch irrespective of the love and hates out there. I liked what they did and I respect who became the bride, she deserved it. But, part of me wanted one of the others to be the bride (except for sodding Nino). And, while I enjoyed Miku I think Itsuki should have been the bride. Miku was finding herself and growing in confidence and was in a better position to go it alone than she ever had been before. I always liked the chemistry with Itsuki, and she never really shows any "love interest" in Fu, she just seemed to fit well with him.
From an enjoyment pov, I have rewatched both seasons over 4 times, and it still charms and amuses (except when Nino is involved). Miku is still fun to watch and Itsuki grows on me because of how stubborn she is, but also how emotional, mature and hungry she always is. She really makes the story and in spite of my preference for Miku I think she should have been "The One". Anybody but sodding Nino!
Ok, why do I dislike Nino so much? spoilt, opinionated, and very self absorbed. Did I mention pompous? Let's put it like this: there are 4 better choices to be made. Just imagine what she would be like after 5 years of married life. But, she does redeem herself in the movie, and is almost likeable.
I see that there is more stuff to come this year, hopefully I will be alive to see it. Hopefully they won't change anything and hopefully everybody gets their chance to wear the sparkly (even Nino).
These are my own opinions and are only valid while I am alive.
Update 2025. My 4th (possibly 5th) rewatch and I still enjoy the series in spite of Nino. The more I watch Itsuki the more she stands out for me. Something about her really works well and I think she would be awesome as a real person. Her interaction with Raiha in the first season shows how rational she can be and also shows a softer side to her personality. QT is an amazing series because of the 5 individuals that each have their own charm and personality, and because of how you are really forced to decide on a favourite, only to want to pick again and again and again.
Something to think about:
Yotsuba is able to recognise Futaro when she meets him after so many years, whereas Nino is unable to figure out that Futaro is the same person as his so called cousin.
Posted by nixops | May 7, 2023 9:59 AM | 0 comments
April 13th, 2023
That Penguindrum thang
Anime Relations: Mawaru Penguindrum, Re:cycle of the Penguindrum
Many years ago (way back in 2011), Mawaru Penguindrum made it's confusing debut. It was a 24 episode puzzle interspersed with a lot of very strange and often amusing things happening in the background. To be honest I battled to understand it at the time and once it ended rated it 7/10 and never came back to it for a rewatch.
It is now over 10 years ago and guess what? Re:cycle of the Penguindrum makes it's appearance. 2 Episodes of over 2 hours each? are they mad? The synopsis says "Compilation of Mawaru Penguindrum, including new scenes". Did I really want to wade through it again? I was ill this past week so really just wanted to do something that did not require physical effort or expenditure of energy so I hit the button!
A lot was familiar to me, and even if they had jumbled up things I would not have noticed too much because the original was kinda jumbled up too. But what I did notice this time around was how good the show was visually, and it kept on reminding me on those Monogatari anime that I had watched in the past. Between the 2 episode I did find the 2nd more watchable. It made more sense and had some sort of coherent story about it. The characters are really overshadowed by a group of 3 penguins who seem to cause havoc at any opportunity, and there are relatively few main characters but I found it hard to invest in any single one, although a young Himari does have quite a draw, she is really quite tragic if want to be objective. Ringo is best left far away because of her stalker nature, while Shouma and Kanba are interesting but something about them never really sat easy with me.
Did I enjoy the 2 episodes? definitely, especially the 2nd because without the week's wait inbetween this was really a long binge and that made the show somewhat easier to process. It is actually a surprisingly enjoyable watch and I may just take up the original once again. No wait, I have pretty much just seen the original plus vat!
That danged Penguindrum thang turned out to be a gem in it's own right, and I am glad I made the effort. I will rate it 8/10 this time around.
Survival Strategy!! I went ahead and binged the whole original series and it was a much better experience this time around. The story is still complicated and requires a few leaps of faith as well as numerous head scratching, but it was very enjoyable and I have upped my rating to 9/10. Why the heck they called it a Penguindrum is beyond me. Why not just call it ........ or better yet, explain what the heck it was right in the beginning. Seriously though, it was a great watch and I have seldom been so rooted to the spot the way I was during my binge. I can see some of the places where there have been changes between the series and movies, and looking at things now the series makes better sense. Or does it? I shall leave it all up to you.
It is now over 10 years ago and guess what? Re:cycle of the Penguindrum makes it's appearance. 2 Episodes of over 2 hours each? are they mad? The synopsis says "Compilation of Mawaru Penguindrum, including new scenes". Did I really want to wade through it again? I was ill this past week so really just wanted to do something that did not require physical effort or expenditure of energy so I hit the button!
A lot was familiar to me, and even if they had jumbled up things I would not have noticed too much because the original was kinda jumbled up too. But what I did notice this time around was how good the show was visually, and it kept on reminding me on those Monogatari anime that I had watched in the past. Between the 2 episode I did find the 2nd more watchable. It made more sense and had some sort of coherent story about it. The characters are really overshadowed by a group of 3 penguins who seem to cause havoc at any opportunity, and there are relatively few main characters but I found it hard to invest in any single one, although a young Himari does have quite a draw, she is really quite tragic if want to be objective. Ringo is best left far away because of her stalker nature, while Shouma and Kanba are interesting but something about them never really sat easy with me.
Did I enjoy the 2 episodes? definitely, especially the 2nd because without the week's wait inbetween this was really a long binge and that made the show somewhat easier to process. It is actually a surprisingly enjoyable watch and I may just take up the original once again. No wait, I have pretty much just seen the original plus vat!
That danged Penguindrum thang turned out to be a gem in it's own right, and I am glad I made the effort. I will rate it 8/10 this time around.
Survival Strategy!! I went ahead and binged the whole original series and it was a much better experience this time around. The story is still complicated and requires a few leaps of faith as well as numerous head scratching, but it was very enjoyable and I have upped my rating to 9/10. Why the heck they called it a Penguindrum is beyond me. Why not just call it ........ or better yet, explain what the heck it was right in the beginning. Seriously though, it was a great watch and I have seldom been so rooted to the spot the way I was during my binge. I can see some of the places where there have been changes between the series and movies, and looking at things now the series makes better sense. Or does it? I shall leave it all up to you.
Posted by nixops | Apr 13, 2023 3:28 AM | 0 comments
September 25th, 2022
YOFUKASHI NO UTA (Call of the Night)
Anime Relations: Yofukashi no Uta, Yofukashi no Uta Season 2
Yofukashi No Uta was one of the anime from the 3rd season of 2022, and when it initially came out I was not taken in by the description, so didn't even bother trying to watch it. Heck, it slipped past me until the second last episode which was when I decided to have a look.
Unfortunately it does get shot down in many of the reviews that I read. The main reason being "a grown up woman seducing an underage boy!" Sounds familiar? usually it is vice versa and that does not cause as much hatred as I was reading.
However, this season was less than brilliant and everything was finishing up so I decided to watch it. It was either that or the biscuit hammer thang or the arsenatoria mob. Ugh, who thinks these things up?
The first episode grabbed me quickly because the nighttime artwork was really beautiful. Those skylines were glorious and the story seemed promising. The plot seemed reasonably mundane; middle school dude sneaks out in the middle of the night and bumps into a sexy vampire. And that is what I thought it would be about.
The reality is that this was a cleverly crafted show, with much more to the plot than I expected. Our main characters (Kou and Nazuna) had a strange chemistry about them. Oddly enough Kou was not the usual delinquent type that I expected, if anything he was somewhat of a model student. His reason for going walkies however puzzled me because almost nothing was said about his home life, so insomnia was probably at fault.
The story really revolves around the 2 mains, with a classmate (Akira) being introduced quite early on, and her late night meanderings puzzled me too. She was a likeable character though, and I suspect that Kou was totally oblivious to what a gem she was.
However, the star was probably Nazuna the Vampire. She was zany and funny with a somewhat warped sense of unvampirelike humour. The character designs were odd in places and I could not really say she was gorgeous, although she was unique. Her VA was Sora Amamiya, who incidentally also voiced Chizuru from Kanojo, Okarishimasu. Her portrayal was husky and sarky and totally different from Chizuru who is sarky in a different way. Either way I found her voice very amusing because it just reminded me of Nanachi from Made in Abyss.
The show is 13 episodes long, and additional characters are brought in, and some have their own episodes which are quite surprising. Overall I found that the show flowed well and was very easy to binge. I was not a fan of the OP and Ed though, they are just not my type of music.
The last episode should be quite a cracker though, and it can either make or break the story. It will probably also be partly responsible for a 2nd season or not. Either way though, I really enjoyed the show, rating it a 9/10 and marking it down for a rewatch at some point. As for the older woman/young boy thang.... you can see it as exploitation or see it as part of the plot. Bear one thing in mind though: young boys of 14 are not exactly paragons of virtue. Ask any of their female classmates what they think of them. I am long past that heavy petting stage of life so I am willing to use the "It is anime, not real life" reason for watching.
A great watch and highly recommended.
Alas, like so many 2nd seasons I am less than chuffed. I expected more, and got a plot twist that makes no sense. It did get better, or should i say made more sense as we went along, and the irritating detective who could have been a very good character turned out to be damp squib. I did however enjoy her arc about how she became to be.
The ending was mundane though, no earth shattering explosions of light, if anything it really turned out to be the sort of ending that will result in either another series, or nothing.
Unfortunately it does get shot down in many of the reviews that I read. The main reason being "a grown up woman seducing an underage boy!" Sounds familiar? usually it is vice versa and that does not cause as much hatred as I was reading.
However, this season was less than brilliant and everything was finishing up so I decided to watch it. It was either that or the biscuit hammer thang or the arsenatoria mob. Ugh, who thinks these things up?
The first episode grabbed me quickly because the nighttime artwork was really beautiful. Those skylines were glorious and the story seemed promising. The plot seemed reasonably mundane; middle school dude sneaks out in the middle of the night and bumps into a sexy vampire. And that is what I thought it would be about.
The reality is that this was a cleverly crafted show, with much more to the plot than I expected. Our main characters (Kou and Nazuna) had a strange chemistry about them. Oddly enough Kou was not the usual delinquent type that I expected, if anything he was somewhat of a model student. His reason for going walkies however puzzled me because almost nothing was said about his home life, so insomnia was probably at fault.
The story really revolves around the 2 mains, with a classmate (Akira) being introduced quite early on, and her late night meanderings puzzled me too. She was a likeable character though, and I suspect that Kou was totally oblivious to what a gem she was.
However, the star was probably Nazuna the Vampire. She was zany and funny with a somewhat warped sense of unvampirelike humour. The character designs were odd in places and I could not really say she was gorgeous, although she was unique. Her VA was Sora Amamiya, who incidentally also voiced Chizuru from Kanojo, Okarishimasu. Her portrayal was husky and sarky and totally different from Chizuru who is sarky in a different way. Either way I found her voice very amusing because it just reminded me of Nanachi from Made in Abyss.
The show is 13 episodes long, and additional characters are brought in, and some have their own episodes which are quite surprising. Overall I found that the show flowed well and was very easy to binge. I was not a fan of the OP and Ed though, they are just not my type of music.
The last episode should be quite a cracker though, and it can either make or break the story. It will probably also be partly responsible for a 2nd season or not. Either way though, I really enjoyed the show, rating it a 9/10 and marking it down for a rewatch at some point. As for the older woman/young boy thang.... you can see it as exploitation or see it as part of the plot. Bear one thing in mind though: young boys of 14 are not exactly paragons of virtue. Ask any of their female classmates what they think of them. I am long past that heavy petting stage of life so I am willing to use the "It is anime, not real life" reason for watching.
A great watch and highly recommended.
Alas, like so many 2nd seasons I am less than chuffed. I expected more, and got a plot twist that makes no sense. It did get better, or should i say made more sense as we went along, and the irritating detective who could have been a very good character turned out to be damp squib. I did however enjoy her arc about how she became to be.
The ending was mundane though, no earth shattering explosions of light, if anything it really turned out to be the sort of ending that will result in either another series, or nothing.
Posted by nixops | Sep 25, 2022 11:01 AM | 0 comments