Hello and welcome to Anime Rants! I’m sorry my post for week 3 is a few days late, but let’s dive right into episode reviews! Please enjoy my notes on these ten anime series.
Previous posts:
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Train to the End of the World
Episode 3: Short, Happy, and Easy
Episode Rating: 7/10
This episode was fine, but the concept was a little overused. I’ve seen stuff like this before in different shows – a fungus that eats the minds of humans and convinces them to die. Every step of the story was very predictable, from Akira being watched by the mushroom people to the attack on the train at the end of the episode. But I’m not watching this show to have my mind blown by unique plot points. I’m just watching for a fun and absurd adventure. In that respect, episode 3 was satisfactory.
Also, Akira is really adorable. I loved all her reactions. Unfortunately, it looks like she might be growing a tail at the end of the episode. I guess the transformation into an animal starts earlier than expected for some people. Poor Akira cannot catch a break.
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Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf
Episode 3: Port Town and Sweet Temptation
Episode Rating: 7/10
This may sound nitpicky, but the biggest issue for me in this episode was the appearance of the marten furs. They are pale gold and very small, which is not realistic. Martens are much larger than stoats and weasels, and their fur is shiny reddish-brown to dark brown. The marten pelts in Spice and Wolf (2008) looked much more realistic. This is a small thing, but it points to the larger issue that the visuals in this new version are often worse than they were in the 2000s.
Despite my complaints about the cheap visuals, I still had a pretty good time watching this episode. I’m glad they haven’t changed the structure of the series or its focus on Lawrence’s trading career. All the talk about economics and currencies is probably boring for some, but I’ve come to love it in the context of this anime.
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Bartender: Glass of God
Episode 3: The Perfect Taste
Episode Rating: 6/10
Ryuu Sasakura, bartender at Eden Hall, still refuses to come work for Miwa and her grandpa, Kurushima. The hotel company must look for another candidate. One possibility is a famous bartender named Ryuuichi Kuzuhara. He is a middle-aged fellow known as “Mr. Perfect” for his ability to mix flawless cocktails. Furthermore, he beats Sasakura in a contest to make the perfect Manhattan.
This episode also introduced a female bartender named Kyoko Kawakami. She is still far below the level of Sasakura, but she seems like a mildly interesting character. Despite the new characters and the cocktail competition, I felt bored for most of this episode. Additionally, I don’t really like the art style in this anime. Maybe next week will be better.
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That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Season 3
Episode 3: Peaceful Days
Episode Rating: 5/10
To be honest, this episode nearly bored me to tears. It’s about as bad as the start of season 2, where it was all talking for several episodes and absolutely no action. I’m also lowkey annoyed about Shion. The writers made her dumb and aggravating compared to almost every other servant of Rimuru. She really is just there to be a pair of flashy boobs. I don’t like that. They should have written her to be an interesting and competent character. This show could use more female characters who fit that description.
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The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master
Episode 3: A True Golden Raven
Episode Rating: 8/10
Yukiya started his new life serving the Crown Prince, who has an avoidant, socially aloof personality. He’s demanding, self-centered, and sometimes harsh. More than that, he’s mysterious. Even after two weeks together, Yukiya can’t get a good read on the Prince’s habits or true interests. It was infuriating when the Prince made Yukiya take the fall for him after they were caught spying on the four ladies. If Hamayu and Asebi hadn’t spoken up, the guards might have killed Yukiya.
The most interesting thing about this episode was the information we learned about the world of the Yatagarasu. First, we learned that the Prince is supposedly a “real Kin’u” or a Golden Raven who is set apart from normal Yatagarasu people. History shows that when a real Kin’u is in power, political strife and wars are common.
This episode also taught us about the “horses,” or the Yatagarasu who are forced to enter labor contracts, during which they are prevented from ever reverting to human form. This is obviously a highly unjust system, and Asebi is correct to be bothered by it. To me, this makes the world of Yatagarasu much more interesting. I can’t wait to see how things develop – especially since the Empress is now plotting against the Prince.
Note: You can read my notes on the first two episodes by clicking the link below.
(The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master: Episodes 1 and 2)
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Tadaima, Okaeri
Episode 2: Friend
Episode Rating: 8/10
It was very weird to me that Yuki’s mother told him to go play with a baby. Also, if the neighborhood shut-in suddenly wanted to play with my (nonexistent) child, there would be a lot more questioning going on than what we saw with Yuki and Hikari. Despite the bizarre and awkward set-up, it was wholesome to see Yuki befriend Hikari and come out of his shell a little. Just like in the first episode, this anime is sweet and adorable.
So far, my favorite character is the husband, Hiromu. He handles things really well at home and brings a cheerful but wise energy. In the second half of the episode, Masaki went into heat, a painful phenomenon that befalls Omegas. Hikari had to leave Masaki alone so he could rest and recover. But it’s hard for a baby to be reasonable when all they want is their parent. Hiromu handled this very well, convincing Hikari to be patient. I liked his lines during that little talk.
“When your favorite person is suffering, and you want to be with them, but can’t … Well, I know exactly how hard that is. But if anything were to happen, he’d blame himself. So, we just have to wait. I’m going to welcome him back with a smile. What will you do?” ~Hiromu Fujiyoshi
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Mysterious Disappearances
Episode 2: Schoolhouse, Drool, and an Apartment Wife
Episode Rating: 6/10
There were definitely some moments that I enjoyed – like the reference to Maria-sama ga Miteru at the all-girls school – but overall, I wasn’t impressed with this episode. I’m very much over the sexualization aspect for the female characters. The youngest girl, Oto, was not sexualized, which is good. But like, even if they’re adults, I can’t take this anime seriously if every other girl is just being used for panty shots.
As for the mystery, it’s not very interesting to me either. The teacher is obviously the one cursing students who she suspects are bullies. I don’t really care about her or the other students. I don’t even care about Oto yet. There hasn’t been enough time to develop any attachment to the characters who are involved in this (boring) mystery. That being said, I still like the art-style of this anime, and I’m good to keep watching for another week.
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Black Butler: Public School Arc
Episode 2: His Butler, In Disguise
Episode Rating: 8/10
The visuals for this new arc are excellent. You can tell it’s studio Cloverworks in some shots, but the budget and art-style are much improved compared to what we saw several years ago in The Promised Neverland. So far, Weston College seems like the male equivalent of Lilian Girls Academy in Maria-sama ga Miteru, right down to the system of “little brothers” (drudges) who serve the “older brothers.” It’s also quite gay in terms of atmosphere.
Ciel and Sebastian continue to entertain me with their unforgettable personalities. The narrative has already made a few interesting insights, such as comparing Ciel to Maurice because they both use underhanded methods. Unfortunately, Sebastian is still a creepy demon. It was extremely uncomfortable to watch him flirt with that young boy in the library. The imagery of the two of them in a Catholic confession booth later was even worse. Yikes.
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Kaiju No. 8
Episode 2: The Kaiju Who Defeats Kaiju
Episode Rating: 9/10
The second episode of Kaiju No. 8 was as entertaining as the first. The comedy was great throughout the installment. My favorite part was probably when Kafka cried out, “Now nobody will take me as a bride!” Besides good comedy, this episode boasted excellent music – including instrumental OST and intro/outro songs. The visuals were fun and impressive. I loved when it rained blood on Kafka after he defeated the enemy kaiju.
On a final note, so far, the main characters are very likeable. However, it remains to be seen if the supporting cast will be tolerable. Although Kikoru Shinomiya has a cool character design, she didn’t leave a good first impression in terms of personality. She’s a spoiled brat. That type of character often goes through a whole anime without ever improving. I hope I’m wrong.
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Whisper Me A Love Song
Episode 2: Love, a Date, and…
Episode Rating: 9/10
In this absolutely adorable installment, Yori continues to fall for Himari. Although Himari loves her senpai, she feels it’s a different kind of love – not romantic. Regardless, she invites Yori to shop and hang out together for an afternoon. The two girls go on an unofficial date. Yori likes the experience immensely and wishes to be closer with Himari. She even works up the courage to reiterate her romantic feelings. Confused about the nature of love itself, Himari doesn’t know how to react.
I am thoroughly enjoying this anime already. The animation, characters, and romantic elements are so cute! Best of all, so far, this anime is not hypersexual in nature. We are not being forced to objectify these girls. Rather, we are only being invited to vicariously enjoy their sweet and innocent romance. I can’t wait for more next week. On a final note, Aki is apparently in love wirh Yori, or was at one point in the past. That should prove interesting.
~Thank you for reading~
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