Episode Review — Anime
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Wind Breaker ‒ Episode 6
It’s not that Hiragi and Sako’s story is bad, but it’s a very thin and simple one that can’t hold up the heft of its own presentation.
The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio ‒ Episode 5
As Voice Actor Radio moves into its second "volume" of story, its approach to showbiz storytelling starts coming off just that much more fictionalized, nicer, more orchestrated.
Spice & Wolf: merchant meets the wise wolf ‒ Episode 6
Lawrence and Holo's first adventure in the wild world of medieval economics ends on shaky ground, both narratively and visually.
Mysterious Disappearances ‒ Episode 5
The main problem is that the underwear storyline doesn't appear to have anything to do with the second half of the episode, which plunges us back into the supernatural mystery element.
Train to the End of the World ‒ Episode 6
This was an unusually normal episode of Train to the End of the World until a flock of migratory zombies kidnapped Shizuru.
Unnamed Memory ‒ Episode 5
I don't think even dragon spit would leave as sour an aftertaste in your mouth as parts of this episode do.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation II ‒ Episodes 16-17
Make no mistake, despite his quirks and perversions, Rudeus is healing and growing. He may never end up becoming a hero, but he just might end up being a decent guy to those around him.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 ‒ Episodes 52-53
Hey, would you like to see an anime where people sit around large tables for two episodes straight doing nothing but talking? Cuz, boy do I have the show for you.
Kaiju No. 8 ‒ Episode 4
This speaks to the immense burden on her shoulders and serves as one of those classic anime parenting warnings: maybe don't tell your child they have to be perfect all the time.
One Piece ‒ Episode 1103
The visual of all the crystal-like shapes falling out of his body as he turns back into a child is precisely the kind of cartoonish strangeness I’ve come to love about the series.
Sound! Euphonium 3 ‒ Episode 5
It turns out the biggest classic Euphonium plot point back in the spotlight this week is the gosh-darned Kumiko/Reina relationship.
Black Butler: Public School Arc ‒ Episode 4
Of course, the question is why the Head Master stepped in, and what about Violet Wolf Hall makes it a good place to stash someone?
Whisper Me a Love Song ‒ Episode 4
No matter what kind of “like” you’re referring to, “liking” someone doesn’t guarantee that you’ll always be on the same page. That’s where Himari and Yori are right now.
Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night ‒ Episode 5
There’s really not a way to interpret Kano’s kiss as anything other than blatantly romantic.
Mission: Yozakura Family ‒ Episode 5
As usual, M:YF makes up for its fumbles by being aggressively cute and charming.
Tonari no Yōkai-san ‒ Episode 5
I never imagined that this show would commit so much to these surprise science-fiction elements.
Laid-Back Camp Season 3 ‒ Episode 5
With the gang finally united, Laid-Back Camp switches gears from sightseeing to a food-filled fiesta extolling the virtues of both meat and sensible cookware.
Ninja Kamui ‒ SERIES FINALE
All in all, I didn’t hate my time with Ninja Kamui, but I’d be lying if I said it’s a show I’d be thinking much about later down the line, since it never quite lived up to all its potential.
Delicious in Dungeon ‒ Episode 18
The setup is a perfect excuse to have the characters reveal their thoughts and feelings about one another in creative ways.
My Hero Academia Season 7 ‒ SEASON PREMIERE
We turn our attention to everything outside of UA, then outside of Japan. Hell, we even dip our toes outside of what was or wasn’t previously considered “canon” at one point.
A Condition Called Love ‒ Episode 5
I’m sorry if this review is upsetting manga readers but I can only judge these episodes based on what I see at the moment and at the moment, I’m not particularly pleased with what I’m watching.
KonoSuba – God's blessing on this wonderful world! 3 ‒ Episode 4
This felt like a lot of setup and a whole lot of yelling, but not much else. While that certainly fits Konosuba to a T, this episode left me wanting more.
The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio ‒ Episode 4
Forget about the imminent end of the radio show alluded to last week; now Yuhi herself is the one who's wound up canceled!
Wind Breaker ‒ Episode 5
Suo could have simply humiliated Kanuma and called it a day, but he keeps the utter ass-whooping going until he’s sure the message has landed.
SAND LAND: THE SERIES ‒ SEASON FINALE
So here we are at the end of Akira Toriyama's final non-Dragon Ball series—and what a ride it has been.
Mysterious Disappearances ‒ Episode 4
Who are Oto and Adashino? Where did they come from? Why are they living in the abandoned station? Oto doesn't want to answer those questions, but we get some clues nevertheless this week.
Spice & Wolf: merchant meets the wise wolf ‒ Episode 5
Big things go down in this week's Spice and Wolf, and by that, I mean that Holo does an adorable little dance by wiggling her ears.
Unnamed Memory ‒ Episode 4
The sword fights are probably the most frustrating element of this episode.
Train to the End of the World ‒ Episode 5
Watching this episode feels like watching a normal anime episode at 1.5x speed.
One Piece ‒ Episode 1102
This week's episode bridges a few conversations and prepares us for the next evolution of the battle for Egghead Island.
Kaiju No. 8 ‒ Episode 3
Kafka whining about his lack of power from being in his 30s is pretty relatable - I promise you kids, you will notice a few more slowdowns and aches as time catches up with you.
Black Butler: Public School Arc ‒ Episode 3
Isn’t it nice to have Prince Soma attending Weston?
Whisper Me a Love Song ‒ Episode 3
Although most of this episode features both girls mulling things over and stuck in their respective quagmires, it also is the episode that starts things moving forward.
Tonari no Yōkai-san ‒ Episode 4
I'm starting to wonder if this cartoon needs to be reported as a threat to domestic and international security on account of how irresponsibly adorable it is.
Go! Go! Loser Ranger! ‒ Episode 4
We didn't know enough about Hibiki to properly clock whether he was as unhinged as all the other Dragon Keepers, but now I have no problem declaring the guy to be just a teensy bit "Cuckoo for Coco-Puffs...
Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night ‒ Episode 4
There are some leaps of fantasy for the sake of the narrative, but Jellyfish really does capture something that more fantastical music anime tend to lack.
Sound! Euphonium 3 ‒ Episode 4
Will the primary vector Sound! Euphonium's third season's primary story objective be Kumiko just talking with the new band members about their problems?
Ninja Kamui ‒ Episode 12
Mike and his old partner scramble to find Joseph before the FBI's higher-ups can assassinate him, while Higan heads off to his showdown with Yamaji as he prepares for whatever his ninja revolution involves.
Delicious in Dungeon ‒ Episode 17
She is terrifying and haunting to behold, and she bounds beastily into the fray to cries of terror from the characters and cheers of jubilation from the audience.
Mission: Yozakura Family ‒ Episode 4
It should be clear to both Taiyo and the audience that the boy has done married himself into a family of dang-ass freaks.
Laid-Back Camp Season 3 ‒ Episode 4
The featured stations, forests, restaurants, roads, mountains, rivers, dams, and bridges are all as lively as any of the girls—and that goes double for the bridges on a windy day.
A Condition Called Love ‒ Episode 4
Who is the character of Hananoi, and why should I care about him based strictly on what the show has highlighted in these first four episodes?
Wind Breaker ‒ Episode 4
The Shishitoren roll up with all the grace of a fighting game roster.
KonoSuba – God's blessing on this wonderful world! 3 ‒ SEASON PREMIERE
Our favorite adventuring party is back together again after a few years and they continue to bring the stability and charisma of a sleep-deprived DND campaign.
The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio ‒ Episode 3
This shared-bath session between Yuhi and Yasumi is, I think, meant to be endearingly awkward, but instead just comes off as regular awkward.
SAND LAND: THE SERIES ‒ Episode 12
This entire episode is one giant action set piece as Beelzebub deals with Muniel while the others fight Mecha-Bred with the tank. One of these fights is excellent. The other… not so much.
Mysterious Disappearances ‒ Episode 3
It shows the idea of her going too far and becoming what she hates most – the signs that marked where she inflicted pain are now weapons used against her.
Train to the End of the World ‒ Episode 4
The first three were great, but this fourth episode is where Train to the End of the World takes off the kid gloves and puts on the weird fiction brass knuckles.
Spice & Wolf: merchant meets the wise wolf ‒ Episode 4
Despite the age and divinity gap between them, Holo and Lawrence have a lot in common, and that includes their insecurities.
Kaiju No. 8 ‒ SERIES PREMIERE
I think the two halves work well in conjunction with one another, and it helps the series occupy a rather unique place in the greater swath of kaiju media.
Unnamed Memory ‒ Episode 3
Was it traumatic for Oscar to have to snap her neck in his dreams? Absolutely. Does anything explain what appears to be Tinasha's romantic feelings for him? Not really.
One Piece ‒ Episode 1101
The fight is thrilling, full of so many wonderful moments with the usual flair and comedy the Toei team has put out with astonishing regularity.
A Condition Called Love ‒ Episode 3
What makes this episode stronger than the previous two is how I finally understand what story A Condition Called Love is trying to tell. It's not perfect but it has won me over on a few things.
Sound! Euphonium 3 ‒ Episode 3
After all, it's important that a band has everyone capable of working in concert.
Go! Go! Loser Ranger! ‒ SERIES PREMIERE
This show scratches the primal itch that has existed at the deepest recesses of my consciousness ever since Tiny James first discovered Power Rangers.
Mission: Yozakura Family ‒ SERIES PREMIERE
I'm happy to enjoy this toon as nothing more than an exciting spy adventure with just a dash of cheesy romance thrown in to keep things interesting.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation II ‒ SEASON PREMIERE
If there is a running theme for these three episodes, it's the fact that Rudeus is no longer alone.
Ninja Kamui ‒ Episode 11
While this episode has many moving parts, none connect the way they need to, and the results feel pretty messy.
Tonari no Yōkai-san ‒ SEASON PREMIERE
Watching this show every week is like taking a vacation to visit the worlds of your favorite childhood storybooks, all combined into one.
Delicious in Dungeon ‒ Episode 16
This episode brings a number of long-simmering tensions to a full boil and the pot nearly bubbles over.
Whisper Me a Love Song ‒ SEASON PREMIERE
If it were strictly up to Yori, she and Himari would be dating and doing all the “normal” girlfriend things…but Himari’s definition of “love” isn’t in line with that.
Black Butler: Public School Arc ‒ SEASON PREMIERE
In Ciel's day-to-day life, he's the master of demon butler Sebastian and his own earldom. But no one cares about all of that at Weston.
Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night ‒ Episode 3
The most important lesson that an artist of any discipline must learn is that you cannot fear the cringe.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 ‒ SEASON PREMIERE
These first three episodes showcase what I love most about this series and how too much of a good thing can hurt your story.
Laid-Back Camp Season 3 ‒ SEASON PREMIERE
Although this third season arrives bearing change behind and in front of the scenes, these girls and their camping escapades still entice the audience to touch the grass.
SAND LAND: THE SERIES ‒ Episode 11
This whole episode is a showcase of the trust the entire cast has for Rao—as a friend, general, or former enemy.
Wind Breaker ‒ SERIES PREMIERE
So here's hoping that the third time's the charm when it comes to anime boys beating the ever-loving hell out of each other.
Mysterious Disappearances ‒ SERIES PREMIERE
Both Ren and Oto can see the warning signs that a Curiosity has taken a victim, but they don't appear to be hunting Curiosities because that's their job.
The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio ‒ SEASON PREMIERE
For as enjoyable as the premise and the leads powering it are, the fact is that the production of Voice Actor Radio is letting it down thus far.
Unnamed Memory ‒ SERIES PREMIERE
Both Oscar and Tinasha have to learn to let go a little in order to move forward, and I don't think either of them are particularly good at it
Spice & Wolf: merchant meets the wise wolf ‒ SERIES PREMIERE
While I'm not fully convinced this project was necessary, Holo and Lawrence's chemistry and banter still draw me inexorably into the world of Spice & Wolf.
Train to the End of the World ‒ SERIES PREMIERE
With its blend of various elements, this trip to Ikebukuro is a collection of demented parables bearing cute facades and sheathed claws.
Urusei Yatsura ‒ Episode 36
This episode felt like a catharsis for me because Shutaro's suffering is pretty much the punchline for every single joke and I love it!
A Condition Called Love ‒ SERIES PREMIERE
At best, Hananoi comes off as incredibly codependent and unable to recognize someone setting a clear set of boundaries. At worst, this guy has all the charisma of a potential serial killer.
Sound! Euphonium 3 ‒ SEASON PREMIERE
Of course, the anime's tenor of interaction sings any time we see Kumiko and Reina together with their co-conspirator chemistry.
Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night ‒ SEASON PREMIERE
Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night is especially focused on artists defining themselves, and how the persona of performance can be both transformative and restrictive.
Ninja Kamui ‒ Episode 10
As far as motivations go, it’s far from terrible but Zai’s story felt pretty predictable, and the execution wasn't strong enough since he ultimately comes off as more edgy than sympathetic.
Delicious in Dungeon ‒ Episode 15
The larger macro-plot fades into the background as we get back to the meat and potatoes of adventuring and eating monsters.
SAND LAND: THE SERIES ‒ Episode 10
This week's episode of Sand Land has one main purpose: backstory.
One Piece ‒ Episode 1100
Vegapunk reveals the origin of Devil Fruit's powers.
Ninja Kamui ‒ Episode 9
We learn that Mike has started to view Emma as a surrogate daughter after he lost his own, but as solid as these emotional gut punches are, her death still feels pretty unnecessary.
Delicious in Dungeon ‒ Episode 14
Kabru and his crew don't leave the most lasting impact either as individuals or as a crew, but they aren't offputting to watch.
Bucchigiri?! ‒ SERIES FINALE
Suffice it to say, Bucchigiri?! did not justify the exclamation point in its title, but it earned that question mark pretty well.
The Witch and the Beast ‒ SEASON FINALE
Although Guideau would never openly admit it, they like experiencing humanity.
Metallic Rouge ‒ SERIES FINALE
A wholly realized version of Naomi and Rouge's arc would have been wonderful, with this desperate act of soul-binding providing the tart yet tantalizing cherry on top.
The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic ‒ SEASON FINALE
This episode is as cute and cuddly as the series has always been and wraps things up nicely.
SAND LAND: THE SERIES ‒ Episode 9
The big revelation for this episode is that our heroes walked into a perfect trap.
Sengoku Youko ‒ SEASON FINALE
His final, lung-tearing scream is both terrifying and heartbreaking, signaling that Jinka – or at least the part of him that can still reason – realizes just how much he's lost and hurt in his pursuit of power.
One Piece ‒ Episode 1099
Episode 1099 does a good job reviving the audience's fear of Rob Lucci and co while also raising the stakes enough to keep things interesting.
Urusei Yatsura ‒ Episode 35
I would like to see more episodes focusing on Lum's perspective or seeing her go on adventures with the crazy gadgets that she develops.
Shangri-La Frontier ‒ SEASON FINALE
My favorite part of the finale of this anime was when Bilac was explaining to Sunraku that he needs to be more conscious that he is the main character and that his actions have consequences.
The Dangers in My Heart Season 2 ‒ SEASON FINALE
If I haven't made it abundantly clear already, The Dangers in My Heart is now one of my favorite anime of all time.
Solo Leveling ‒ Episode 12 (SEASON FINALE)
Do we ever really change? That's the question at the core of this, the final episode of season one
Ninja Kamui ‒ Episode 8
It leads to Mike drunkenly serenading Emma at karaoke about the importance of trust which is probably the single funniest thing the show has done and is the biggest highlight of the episode.
The Witch and the Beast ‒ Episode 11
Even without Guideau as his official companion, Ashaf is an engaging protagonist.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles Season 2 ‒ SEASON FINALE
Mash has to succeed at classwork and tests if he wants to avoid expulsion.
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