Week 11 has come and gone and left in its wake some bitter feelings (Kokkoku) and some more promising moments (DamePri). That said, some shows maintain their solid quality (March Comes in Like a Lion) whereas other titles maintain their general lack of anything all that praise worthy (Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody). Below I share my thoughts on the shows I am watching this season and I’d love to know your thoughts at the moment as we approach the final week for many shows. If you haven’t voted in the poll yet, I’ve attached them at the bottom so you can vote for your favourite anime and the worst anime of the season (you can actually pick up to three and if you want full details check out this post).

Okay, and no audio practice this week as this weekend has become incredibly work heavy. Next week also will be a pass because of Easter. So next one will probably be my thoughts on the new season of anime. I’m also looking to reformat these overviews (we’ll see if I figure out something new to do with them or if I end up continuing the same format).

Must Watch

March Comes in Like a Lion Season 2 (Episode 41)

The sisters return bringing a breath of sparkling fresh air to the series, and yet there’s a lot going on beneath the surface of sweet selling and seemingly casual conversations. I love that this show can give us a break from emotional intensity but still not feel frivolous. Really enjoyable watch this week.

Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens (Episode 10)

A very solid episode as we turn into the final arc and this show continues to impress with the cohesiveness of its narrative. While there are some small complaints to be made here and there, and I will address these in my overall season review, basically this show is great fun to watch and the narrative is solid enough that the few complaints I have are easily forgiven. Looking forward to seeing how this show ends over the next two weeks.

Usually Entertaining

The Ancient Magus’ Bride (Episode 23)

The second last episode and things are definitely feeling rushed now. It isn’t that this is a bad thing as the pace did drag a little earlier in the season, however I really would have liked to have seen some of the developments this week given a longer time to process and for characters to really feel like they had been given their due time to overcome certain issues. Still, really looking forward to the end as this has been a fun viewing experience even if it didn’t manage to win me over every step of the way. There’s certainly been a lot to like about it.

Spiritpact Season 2 (Episode 4)

Another fine episode from this anime and with the focus very much on You Keika’s and Tanmoku Ki’s relationship as well as delving into Tanmoku’s back story there was a lot to enjoy this week. While the intrigue is interesting, it is more how the characters react to new information and how it draws them together or breaks them apart that makes this a very enjoyable watch at this point.

Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card (Episode 11)

That grind through the slice of life seems to be becoming more common place and this episode was no exception. We did get an interesting Syaoran/Eriol conversation to break things up but otherwise we were 16 minutes through this episode before anything particularly interesting happened on screen (unless you really like Sakura hanging out with friends because if that’s what you are after you will definitely be happy).

Okay, I Guess

DARLING in the FRANXX (Episode 10 – reviewed for patrons)

I wouldn’t have thought an episode focused on Zorome would be that entertaining, but Darling in the Franxx was surprisingly adept this week and weaving in world building, foreshadowing and intrigue while developing Zorome’s naive and boisterous character. Throw in a few flags for Zero Two’s future and other than some dips in the art and animation this week we had a pretty strong episode.

DamePri Anime Caravan (Episode 11)

This has actually shaped up surprisingly well. One episode from the conclusion and I must confess to be having a lot of fun with Ani and her princes as they tip-toe into the realm of conflict and politics. This show has managed to really build up some decent drama despite the craziness of some of the characters and I’m having a lot of fun with it at the moment.

How to Keep A Mummy (Episode 10)

And message received, put Mii-Kun front and centre and this show instantly improves nearly 100-fold (and that’s a totally quantifiable measurement I’m sure). This week a new package arrives from the father and the crew gain another new friend, but that’s almost over-shadowed by a frantic bid to cure Sora of the hiccups.

Kokkoku (Episode 11)

Definitely a case where the potential isn’t going to be reached. As more twists and turns appear in this story it makes even less sense, I still don’t really have a reason to care about the characters, and no explanations seem forthcoming. This is a watch to the end because I’ve made it this far and that is about it.

School Babysitters (Episode 11)

Not as bad an episode as last week and some genuinely cute moments returned to this show. That said, the water works were turned on by all the kids at one point and the sound nearly drove me to mute the episode. Basically, if you’ve watched this far, this won’t make you drop it one episode from the end, but it doesn’t do a lot to promote it as an unsung hero of the season (given it isn’t).

Record of Grancrest War (Episode 11)

It is the ploy of any story that is kind of failing to make an emotional connection. Build up a dramatic fight and kill off someone the audience possibly cares about. Not the main character, mind you. Nor the main character’s love interest. Just someone we introduce who probably would have made a better main character. Now, killing off a character can serve a valuable purpose when done right. When done like this, you know they just realised there were no real stakes in this fight and wanted to wake the audience up.

Sanrio Boys (Episode 11)

I said last week the show wasn’t bad but it wasn’t good. This week I’m going to review that statement. This show does not get characterisation and the downward spiral this show has been on since the midway point continues with a truly painful penultimate episode. That really doesn’t leave me waiting for the final.

Junji Ito Collection (Episode 11)

This wasn’t a season saving episode of this anime, but episode 11 was relatively decent and a throwback to earlier episodes that seemed to just take creepy concepts and under-develop them (as opposed to the gross out efforts of the last two weeks). Still, more entertaining than it had been so we’ll just go with it.

They Made This?

Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody (Episode 10)

I don’t know how they did it, but they managed to make a dull show seem even less alive and less purposeful leaving me wondering if I drifted off to sleep mid-episode. Now, if you happen to like watching gaming vistas with still images of girls eating painted on them I guess this could work for you.

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)

Thanks for reading.

Karandi James

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