We’re about halfway through the Spring 2024 anime season, and though I’m several weeks behind, I’m enjoying what I’m watching. This article contains my episode reviews for the ten shows I watched in the fifth week of the season (April 29th to May 5th). Sorry for the delay, and thank you for your continued readership.

Previous Posts:

Spring 2024 – Week 1

Spring 2024 – Week 2

Spring 2024 – Week 3

Spring 2024 – Week 4

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Train to the End of the World

Episode 5: I’ll Be Reduced to Bones

Episode Rating: 8/10

As usual, I enjoyed the humor and absurdity in this episode of Train to the End of the World. “The Doctor,” Makoto-sensei, has a very attractive character design and is obviously a highly intelligent lady. I wish we got more time with her, but I’m glad she regained control of the town. As for “The Boss,” who was just a bully, it serves him right to be stranded on an island somewhere. Akira was cured thanks mostly to Reimi. Speaking of the “Idiot Gal” (Aho Gyaru), she went HAM on the town and the military forces. It was highly entertaining.

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Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf

Episode 5: Wolf Incarnate and Obedient Lamb

Episode Rating: 7/10

This episode was good but not great, in my opinion. The long talk between Lawrence and the trader dude was difficult for me to get through. It was boring and needlessly complicated. When Lawrence finally got Holo back, I felt relieved. I can understand why she was cranky after feeling so vulnerable and embarrassed. Despite Holo’s complaints that Lawrence should have been more ferocious and “manly,” I appreciated his brains in engineering the situation and ensuring the safety of his partner.

The episode title is interesting to me. The “Wolf Incarnate” obviously refers to Holo in a literal sense, but I think it also means that, metaphorically, she is like a wolf to the Christian Church. As the trader said, he and his company are but obedient lambs to the new ruling religion. Holo, on the other hand, refuses to surrender. On a related note, Yarei’s words to Holo were odd. He suggested that serving Holo was no longer necessary, as if he was now “free.” But obviously, he’s a slave to the Christian Church now. All that happened was that he jumped ship. It was interesting indeed.

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Bartender: Glass of God

Episode 5: The First Drop

Episode Rating: 7/10

The episode began with our main bartender Ryuu going on a trip to a famous whiskey distillery with Miwa, Yuri, Kyoko, and one surprise guest. Kelvin Chen, the quiet but handsome bartender from Bar K, was invited by Ryuu. Aside from the portion of touring the whiskey facility, most of the episode focused on Kelvin. (Note: the VA for Kelvin is Makoto Furukawa, who also played “President” Shirogane in Kaguya-sama, among other roles. His deep voice can be surprisingly soothing when he’s not in a comedic role.)

To make a long story short, he needed to work through an old regret in his life, when he disappointed a certain girl he cared about. Ryuu helped reassure Kelvin and served him a divine glass of whiskey with a few drops of pure spring water. The experience of drinking that and talking to Ryuu put Kelvin’s mind at ease. He will probably be a better bartender than before after such a healing experience.

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That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Season 3

Episode 5: A Meeting of Both Sides

Episode Rating: 7/10

This installment, like most of them, was low in action and high in dialogue and confusing details. However, rather than getting too bored or overwhelmed, I was able to pay attention to most of it and appreciate the screentime for Hinata. She’s still my favorite character so far. (Look at her handsome smile!) As expected, she’s starting to come around to Rimuru’s way of thinking, and even feels like she wronged him.

Unfotunately, somebody is plotting something sinister. Rayhiem was killed, and holy knights everywhere are outraged. Due to a corruption in the message carried by Rayhiem, Hinata now thinks Rimuru wants to fight her. The message showed Rimuru asking to duel her one-on-one. So, Hinata headed out to fight Rimuru, carrying with her a magical hero’s sword capable of killing even a Storm Dragon. To be continued.

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The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master

Episode 5: A Purge

Episode Rating: 7/10

Though I felt this episode was entertaining, it couldn’t top the previous installment in terms of action, humor, and good visuals. It was cruel of the Prince to leave Yukiya in the ravine town, but I’m not surprised that it was all part of a secret scheme. Thanks to being left there, Yukiya was able to spy on Rokon and witness the murder of Kazumichi. Rokon is quite intimidating. Yukiya did well to maintain his courage.

As for Asebi and her memory of meeting the Prince long ago, I don’t really care. Though Asebi is sweet and cute, I have nothing in common with her and can’t empathize with her little royal romance. I hope she gets more character development instead of staying stagnant forever like many “Princess” types in anime.

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Tadaima, Okaeri

Episode 4: Shining Days

Episode Rating: 8/10

Another adorable episode of Tadaima, Okaeri! I was feeling frustrated, so it was nice to calm down to a cute, fluffy anime about a happy family. The Fujiyoshi family now has a second child, a girl named Hinata. I’m confused as to why they skipped over a major event like her birth. Suddenly, it’s been six months, and the new baby is there like nothing happened. I’m also confused about her type. It wasn’t clear if she’s actually an Omega or if that was just the fear Masaki had. Hopefully, it will become clear later.

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Mysterious Disappearances

Episode 4: Bath, Cleaning, and a Surprise

Episode Rating: 6/10

Sumireko took care of Oto for a few days while Ren was exploring some kind of occult alternate dimension with a middle-aged man. Ren’s goal seems to be healing after the use of his cursed eyes. Now, this episode had enjoyable elements, but was it also weird and uncomfortable on several counts. The sexualization of Oto is mild compared to the sexualization of Sumireko, but regardless, it’s extremely creepy to me. On top of that, there’s apparently a pervert girl who wants Oto’s underwear. Great…

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Black Butler: Public School Arc

Episode 4: His Butler, Colluding

Episode Rating: 8/10

Quick Correction: I mistakenly thought that Ciel had become Bluewer’s drudge, but that would not make sense. In reality, Ciel is the drudge of Bluewer’s drudge, whose name is Clayton (I think). Sorry for the misinformation last time.

Moving on, this episode was quite enjoyable, showing Ciel and Sebastian investigating a relative of the Queen, a boy named Derrick Arden. He mysteriously stopped contact with everyone outside of Weston after a sudden transfer from Scarlet Fox to Violet Wolf. Unable to get answers by asking the prefects and other students, Ciel takes more desperate measures to locate Derrick. He and Sebastian set fire to the dormitory of Violet Wolf House. This will mean everyone will evacuate – even the elusive Derrick Arden. On another note, my favorite prefect so far is Violet, the introverted eccentric.

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Kaiju No. 8

Episode 4: Fortitude 9.8

Episode Rating: 10/10

Kaiju No. 8 just got even more exciting and interesting! It was an action-packed episode with a surprise: the emergence of a potential main antagonist. This Kaiju can bring other monsters back to life as well as morph himself into a human form. He nearly killed Kikoru before vanishing off the battlefield. Kafka saved Kikoru, revealing his Kaiju body in the process – but for now, Kikoru is protecting his secret.

Besides the intriguing potential of the new villain, there were several other enjoyable elements. Two things especially stood out to me that I loved in this episode. 1) The humor was refreshing – like when Kafka rode on Ichikawa’s shoulders. I love Kafka’s goofiness. 2) I felt deeply for Kikoru after learning about her stern, perfectionistic father who is never there for her emotionally. It was extremely significant that Kafka saved her in that intense moment. I hope he becomes a fatherly figure for Kikoru. Good stuff.

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Whisper Me A Love Song

Episode 4: Progress, Impatience, and a Quiet Resolve

Episode Rating: 7/10

After hearing that Yori joined the light music club, Himari realized she had extra time on her hands. She looked around at some various clubs and settled on joining the cooking club, which has only one active member. Said member is a sweet and extraverted girl named Momoka. When Yori heard about this, she couldn’t help feeling jealous and upset. Aki helped cheer her up.

The ending was unexpectedly tense, with Himari visiting Aki’s house to spend time with Miki. As soon as she registers who Miki’s friend is, Aki takes an aggressive stance. She tells Himari that she’s in love with Yori, and that Himari should consider backing off. It was a surprisingly sticky ending for an otherwise very wholesome episode. However, as long as it’s not too overdone, I think I’ll enjoy the drama. I have a lot of sympathy for Aki and her position, but I’m still rooting for Himari.

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~Thanks for reading~

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