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At first glance, Ninja Shinobu-san no Junjou seems like your typical throwaway romcom. On the surface, it has a silly premise, average art, and a plot so simple that you might think you’ve seen this all before. I went into the first chapter expecting something painfully mid or even worthy of dropping after a few pages. Some of the early jokes didn’t land, and nothing really stood out.

But then something unexpected happened — I couldn’t stop reading.

Despite its simplicity and unremarkable start, this manga quickly evolves into a real page-turner. It hits just the right blend of slice-of-life, comedy, and romance, weaving these elements seamlessly ... together. What began as an average read transformed into a series that had me genuinely invested in the characters and their relationships. It went from “Just 1 more chapter” to “Wait, it’s over already?”

Much of that appeal lies in the manga’s pacing; it's packed with content without ever feeling rushed or dragged out. It manages to flesh out the characters, side characters, and setting in just 30 chapters. It’s seriously some impressive writing, especially for this being Yuzuchiri’s first serialization.

If I had to make a comparison, it’s kind of like Komi-san without the repetitive gags and stagnant character progression. Yes, we again have a clueless protagonist and a heroine who struggles with communication. However, unlike Komi-san, Ninja Shinobu-san no Junjou offers substantial and meaningful character development within a realistic and satisfying timeframe. In only 30 chapters, Shinobu grows emotionally, learns to express herself, and adapts to high school life, delivering a concise yet satisfying narrative that actually respects the reader’s time.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what makes this manga so good. Maybe it’s the excellent combination of slice-of-life and romance, or the comedic moments, or simply its sincerity. Whatever the reason, this manga stealthily (pun intended), transitions from being merely average to something truly exceptional. It embraces its simple premise without overreaching, and somehow, that’s exactly why it succeeds.

Mono started with tremendous promise, captivating me with its distinctive premise centred around a “cinephoto club” (cinema and photography) and exploring intriguing photographic techniques such as 360-degree cameras and timelapse photography. This fresh concept, combined with occasional slice-of-life and comedic moments, initially set it apart and offered a unique and engaging anime.

However, as the show progressed, it gradually shifted its focus away from this promising concept and instead leaned heavily into generic slice-of-life territory, using photography merely as a backdrop rather than the main theme. While the slice-of-life content still had its charm, it lacked the spark the show originally promised. It felt like there ... was a significant missed opportunity, considering how strongly the anime had initially established itself in the opening episodes. I found myself wishing they’d returned to the creativity of the early episodes, which felt genuinely inspired.

This shift also impacted character development. The five main characters had distinct, lovable personalities with potential for depth, yet the show didn't fully utilise this. Conversely, the supporting characters were disappointingly two-dimensional and forgettable, significantly detracting from the overall appeal.

Regarding its comedic aspects, Mono generally offered average humour while occasionally providing genuinely funny moments. Many of the slice-of-life scenarios were enjoyable, although certain segments, such as an overly drawn-out video call in episode 7, felt unnecessarily tedious.

Despite these shortcomings, the anime did excel in its music. The opening song was nice, and the ending song was great, complementing the overall mood of the series. The animation and art are also excellent, especially for such a new studio.

Overall, Mono is a decent watch if you're looking for a casual slice-of-life anime, but it falls short of its initial promise. Perhaps my expectations influenced this disappointment, but it remains hard to shake off the feeling that Mono could have been something truly special; it teased greatness but ultimately played it safe.

Sometimes, an anime doesn’t need action, suspense, or elaborate plot twists to leave a lasting impression. Zatsu Tabi is one of those rare, cozy gems that quietly encourages you to notice the beauty in everyday life.

The story follows the protagonist Chika as she takes journeys across lesser-known towns in Japan, and what struck me most was how it made me appreciate the subtle quirks and local charms that we often overlook in our own surroundings. Watching the characters discover new places, try local food, and visit quirky roadside attractions reminded me that you don’t always need a passport and plane ticket to experience something special. ... As someone living in Australia who has always dreamed of travelling abroad, Zatsu Tabi reminded me that there’s so much to discover just a few hours from home if I simply look for it.

What also stood out to me was how grounded the show feels. You don’t need a big budget or a detailed itinerary to start exploring. All it takes is a day off, a train ticket, and a bit of curiosity. For those calling the show “boring”, you might be missing the point. Zatsu Tabi encourages you to find joy in the small things, whether it’s the unique texture of an old castle wall or a spontaneous visit to a local sake factory.

Its take on solo travel also left a lasting impression. Instead of framing solo travel as lonely or isolating, the show presents it as something freeing and healing. While most slice-of-life anime rely on tight-knit friend groups, Zatsu Tabi embraces both group and solo travel. I think this was an intentional decision to show that you don’t need a group of friends to explore new places and travel, which is especially highlighted in Episode 5.

Interestingly, the journeys in the later episodes also become more ambitious and expansive, showing a clear progression in Chika and her friend’s confidence and curiosity. This subtle escalation keeps the series engaging without ever losing its original purpose.

If there’s one area where the show falls short, it’s the soundtrack. While serviceable, the music isn’t particularly memorable and rarely enhances the emotional moments in the way great anime often does. Also, there was some slight yuri bait in the final episode which was just unexpected.

Ultimately, Zatsu Tabi is a comfort show. It’s not flashy or loud, but it lingers. It’s the kind of anime you slow down with, something to watch when the world feels too fast. While I could see how this show could get repetitive if it continued with the same formula in a second season, it worked well for 12 episodes.

If you’re in the mood for something calming, thoughtful, and quietly inspiring, Zatsu Tabi is well worth your time. It doesn’t demand your attention; it simply invites you to see the world in a slightly different light. And who knows, it might just be the start of your next journey.

It's not often a second season surpasses the first, but Shoushimin Series pulls it off, and then some, raising the bar significantly. While Season 1 offered enjoyable yet ordinary everyday mysteries, Season 2 shifts gears into a full-on psychological suspense, delivering an experience that's both gripping and deeply satisfying.

The slow-burn storytelling and detailed build-up of tension are executed incredibly well, especially during the second arc. I found myself completely locked in every episode, trying to piece together what on earth was going on. When everything finally clicked perfectly into place, it made the payoff all the more rewarding.

Just like Season 1, this season has an ... incredible opening and ending, featuring great songs and captivating visuals. It's genuinely surprising how overlooked these gems have been.

If you enjoyed the first season or simply love a compelling mystery, don't miss out on this. Shoushimin Series Season 2 is a bold and successful follow-up that actually does something different and pulls it off.

Blue Box may not reinvent the romance genre, but it executes its ideas so well that it hardly matters. While the anime relies on familiar tropes, they're handled so naturally and genuinely that they feel fresh and enjoyable. The story isn't overly complex, but its simplicity is part of its charm, making it incredibly easy to love. At its core, Blue Box is a wholesome, well-crafted romance that understands its strengths and delivers them exceptionally well.

The main defining aspect of Blue Box is that it blends romance with sports. Watching Taiki push himself to improve, not just for his own sake but because he wants ... to stand alongside the person he admires, gives the story and its main goal more weight. That said, while sports play an essential role in shaping the characters' motivations, the story ultimately prioritizes romance.

One of the standout aspects is the complete lack of fanservice, which is a refreshing choice for a high school romance anime. Many similar series rely on fanservice, particularly with high school characters, which can be off-putting for many. Blue Box, however, avoids cheap distractions and focuses on what actually matters: the characters and their relationships. As a result, every interaction feels so much more sincere.

And, of course, I have to mention the soundtrack. OP 1 and ED 2, in particular, perfectly captured the emotion of the series and arcs for me. OP 1 ("Same Blue" by Official HIGE DANdism) always had me hyped for the episode. ED 2 ("Contrast" by TOMOO) paired an emotional song with beautiful visuals, hitting hard every time it started playing after a great episode. They're the kind of songs that stay with you even after the episode ends, making the story's moments just a little more impactful.

If you're after something groundbreaking or genre-defining, Blue Box might not be the anime for you. But if you want a heartfelt romance with fantastic animation, a banger soundtrack and engaging drama, Blue Box is absolutely worth the watch. It's one of those rare anime that just feels right.

Steins;Gate: Aishin Meizu no Babel is an absolute hidden gem that caught me completely off guard in the best way possible.

What makes this manga stand out is its focus on Kurisu. Told from her perspective, it reveals layers of her character that the original series barely scratched. You get to see her relationships evolve, uncover her past, and sympathise with her on a deeper level. Honestly, it changed the way I see her as a character. And the best part? It's all canon.

This manga is a must-read if you're a Steins;Gate enjoyer. It may surprise you, as it did me.

I'm one of those rare people who watched the Shoushimin Series without having watched Hyouka. So, I came into the Shoushimin Series not knowing what to expect, and I'm happy with how it turned out. In short, Shoushimin Series is a show about "ordinary people" spending their days trying to do ordinary things while solving the small mysteries in everyday life. While it may not be a thrill ride from start to finish, it offers something gentle and charming in its own way.

The Shoushimin Series excels in balancing light detective elements with slice-of-life moments. I personally found this perfect to watch when winding down after ... a long day or right before going to sleep. The mysteries may be small, but they add a nice layer of intrigue without being too intense. Heck, they had a full 10-minute breakdown of how a guy makes his hot chocolate. And they somehow managed to keep it engaging the whole way through.

The art style and animation are visually beautiful, and the character designs and settings are perfect. As I previously stated, I haven't watched Hyouka, but I've heard that the art in Hyouka was also one of its strong points, and the Shoushimin Series follows this. One thing that stood out to me was the random changes of settings mid-conversation, which seemed to happen often. While I don't know if there was any deeper meaning behind it, it made the scenes more dynamic and fun to watch.

Another highlight is the opening and ending themes. The stunning music and visuals complement the show's overall tone. I especially love how they blended anime characters with real-life scenes and backgrounds in the ending theme.

The final episode of the Shoushimin Series left me with mixed feelings. Introducing two specific new characters left me a bit conflicted, although it was probably necessary for the main characters to develop. Although I am not entirely sold on this shift in tone, it definitely has me looking forward to season two, where I hope to see how these new dynamics unfold.

Overall, Shoushimin Series is a solid. While nothing blew me away or had me super hooked throughout the show, excluding the final episodes, it's an enjoyable watch that offers a nice mix of mystery, slice-of-life, and light drama. I can't justify giving it more than a 7/10 for these reasons, but I recommend it if you're looking for something relaxing yet engaging with a bit of unexpected drama.

The skating isn't realistic at all. It feels like the studio didn't research skateboarding and the culture and created a story about what they thought skateboarders were like. The plot was lacklustre. The anime did nothing terrible, but it did nothing great either. The only decent things were the art and animation.

Nothing was interesting about the characters. The MC is the generic, overly energetic protagonist. The deuteragonist is the stereotypical emotionless and "cooler" character and probably the most interesting character in the show, which says a lot about the rest. And the villain is basically just Hisoka from Walmart. Also, this one's more of ... a personal preference, but as a Christian, I was not fond of the Adam and Eve comparisons in the later episodes. Even objectively, the Adam and Eve metaphors were pointless, didn't make much sense and failed to add extra substance to the characters and the overarching story.

If you were like me and wanted to watch this anime because you are into skateboarding, you should save your time and not watch it. If you wish to watch it for the story and don't care about how realistic the skateboarding is, it would probably be more bearable... but you should also save your time and find something with a more intriguing plot.