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Here’s my second list of recommendations. All are very recent, released within the last 2 years or less. I arranged them in order of priority, starting with the one I believe you need to watch ASAP. I also noted what streaming service they’re available on. You’re welcome to use my Amazon Prime account whenever you feel like checking out their catalog.

A Place Further than the Universe
https://myanimelist.net/anime/35839/Sora_yori_mo_Tooi_Basho
Four girls meet, become friends, and prepare for an expedition to Antarctica. This is, quite simply, my favorite anime of all time. Yes, I know it’s only a few months old. But it only took me a couple episodes to realize this is something special. This show is profound, absorbing, and undeniably CATHARTIC. You need to experience it. (Crunchyroll)

Laid-Back Camp
https://myanimelist.net/anime/34798/Yuru_Camp△
An anime devoted to the joy, perils, and therapeutic wonders of outdoor camping. You were born to get this show, Sof. It’s the perfect way to cap a long, hard day. (Crunchyroll)

Violet Evergarden
https://myanimelist.net/anime/33352/Violet_Evergarden
An emotionless, PTSD-burdened military vet attempts to find a life, career, and new purpose in post-war civilization. It’s definitely a slow burn, but trust me, it’s worth your patience. From the very start, this is one of the most gorgeous anime series ever produced. And when it finally hits its stride, it tells some of the most emotionally overwhelming drama in any medium. (Netflix)

Made in Abyss
https://myanimelist.net/anime/34599/Made_in_Abyss
Spectacular fantasy about the mysteries that lurk in a ginormous crater, and one girl’s mission to reach its bottom. A master class in world building. This show takes its time creating a dense world and introducing the rules that go along with it. When the plot finally puts all the pieces into action, it is shockingly harrowing stuff. I was not prepared for how intense it gets. (Amazon Prime Video)

Finally finished Amaama to Inazuma. Definitely thought it was super cute and sweet, but also a tad repetitive. Other than Inazuma himself, it didn’t seem like any of the other characters got much development. Also, I was shipping him with Kotori HARD, but alas. All in all, it was really pleasant, and it got me jonesing to try some new recipes.

Wrapped up Ore Monogatari!! Where do I even start? Gouda Takeo may be the most lovable character I’ve ever rooted for. Every “SUKI DA!!!” just won me over with increasing intensity. Sometimes I felt like he was me. Other times, I just wished I had a friend like him. Which brings me to Suna. EVERYTHING that mofo did cracked me up on another level. I do love deadpan humor, and he is a shining example of that.

I loved how the show was unabashedly sweet and charming. I got a kick out of its occasional forays into superhero territory. I do question the weird decision to set up a possible romantic threat in the final 2 eps. Since there was no way the show would end with Yamato choosing someone else, it all just felt pointless and manipulative. But it all worked out, and I left the show feeling pretty damn good about myself and the world. Bravo.

Romeo no Aoi Sora may have restored my faith in long form anime. Following Romeo through such an epic journey was immensely rewarding and gratifying. The first couple eps could’ve been tightened, and we really didn’t need that weird diversion with Grampa Theo and his wayward doctor son who are never heard from again. But despite those exceptions, there were very few wasted notes.

I wish Angeletta made a reappearance towards the end. Dante is awesome. Michaelo is worthless. Marchelo Rossi is adorable. I love Nikita. And the friendship between Romeo and Alfredo is something I won’t forget for a long time.

Sounds like a super thoughtful and considerate friend! Yeah, Crichton had this weird habit of devoting entire chapters to scientific essays, sometimes only tangentially related to tbe actual storyline. Some found it off putting. Not me.

For some reason, I kept expecting a big reveal that Satoru was evil the whole time. I dunno, something about him just rubbed me the wrong way. And I’m not even talking about the time he full-on molested Saki.

Wrapped up Shinsekai yori just now. Hmm, where to begin. I really liked it... but I didn't love it. The story was complex and imaginative, and I applaud the scope of world building on display. However, the characters just left me too cold when all was said and done. There were moments when I actually sympathized with Saki's plight, or Squeara's angst. But I felt like those moments were too far and few between. The rest of time, I felt like everybody was too formal, monotone, and... scientific, for lack of a better word. In the end, I didn't have a whole lot of emotional investment in Group 1 and the characters that surrounded them. I also thought it was odd how the final act of the series was basically one long horror thriller. Nothing wrong with that, but it was kind of a weird segue after all the politics and debates that led up to it.

That said, I can't deny that the series as a whole was extremely well-made. I don't know if you've ever read any Michael Crichton, but the writing here reminded me of his work on more than one occasion. I asked earlier if there was gonna be a test after one of the episodes. That wasn't entirely a joke. I really did I feel like my brain was firing on all cylinders on several occasions, and that's something I don't get enough from any form of media.

I just pictured you singing that warning on a green-lit cliff, surrounded by goose-stepping hyenas.

Enjoy your Skype date! What show are you on now?

Yeah, it did seem like there was a whole episode or two skipped over, where Yuri jumped from sloppy and nervous to suddenly cool, calm, and cocky. Also, this is totally a review you just wrote.

I’ll let you know when Romeo starts bringing out the tears. If it made you reach for tissues twice, then I’ll be a slobbering mess at least 10 times more.

Even though it’s not one of the anime you recommended to me, I’m curious to know what you thought of Yuri!!! on ICE. I just finished the last ep, and I was FLOORED by it. Made me break my rule against binge-watching anime, and I ended up watching the last 8 eps without jumping to another show. My only gripe was some of the later eps had too much skating performance, not enough real world drama.

Definitely enjoying the Romeo vibe, which I just started. The quaint quality soothes me, and I particularly get a kick out of seeing commercial break fade-outs for the first time in forever.

If MAL didn’t enforce this weird minimum length rule for reviews, I would urge you to write ‘em up anyways. But they do, and I’m not gonna suggest you go to those lengths. That said, I strongly disagree your reviews would be “lame”, by any stretch of the imagination. Your little descriptions in that first list of recommendations tell me a lot about what I’m getting into, and they definitely help me pick out which shows to dive into next, in what order. That’s literally *all* any review needs to do, IMHO.

All done with Samurai Flamenco! You can read my review here (https://myanimelist.net/profile/JediNut/reviews), but I'll add one thing to that. "I'm going to flip your crazy switch" is disturbing, messed up, and one of the GREATEST lines of dialogue I've ever heard in any form of media. I truly LOVED the final story arc, even though Goto never actually confessed his love for Hazama. He truly is a baka. Baka baka baka baka baka!!!

Do you ever write reviews on MAL?

“too sweet” = your favorite snack that you’re too ashamed to admit.

My only experience of any similarity was helping to slaughter a goat, during my first visit to the Philippines. All I did was hold its rear legs while the grown-ups did the deed, but I’ll never forget it.

Thank you for comparing me to a donut, yet again. ;^D Although, it just occurred to me that these comments are public. If you wish, I’ll gladly edit or delete the earlier comment. Sorry if that was inappropriate to post on here.

Just finished 1st season of Silver Spoon. I will be starting S2 immediately, but first I wanted to touch base with you. THANK YOU - not just for turning me onto this wonderful show, but also for sharing how personal this was for you. It breaks my heart to know there was a time when you weren’t the brightest star of joy in the room. Watching this show, I couldn’t stop thinking about how you related to Hachiken’s acceptance of eggs (“Damn you, anus”), cleaning his first deer, and the emotionally-draining, beautiful saga of Pork Bowl. I’m grateful this show helped you heal, and it means a lot that you chose to share that with me.

As for my experience, I just had a good old time. The crop circle quest and Pork Bowl’s farewell were my highlights in a season full of gems. Can’t wait to start S2!

Ah, if Cowboy Bebop didn’t grab you by the 3rd or 4th ep, it’s probably not for you. Bummer, but I get it. I do hope you dig Planetes. I just rewatched the first ep (via kissanime.ac) to see if maybe I was glamorizing it through rose-tinted glasses. Nope, still amazing.