Greetings. I have a quick update regarding Summer 2024 anime now that we’re about halfway through the season. There are three items to address, outlined below.

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Kimi No Todoke (From Me To You) Season 3

On an earlier blog post, I mentioned that I might watch and write about Kimi ni Todoke season 3, which just hit Netflix a few days ago. However, I have decided not to cover this show at the present time. The main reason is that I already have my hands full with too many other shows. (For me, 10 or 12 series per season is a huge amount!)

The secondary reason was that I never completely finished the second season, having gotten bored of the absurdly slow progress of the main romance. I would like to give the series another try, ideally starting at the beginning again. But that will have to wait until a less busy time.

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Delico’s Nursery

On August 7th, the first episode of Delico’s Nursery premiered. I don’t know what to expect from this series, but I loved the pilot episode. The vampire nobles are attractive and their interactions are entertaining. I think it will be a lot of fun to ship these characters in my head, as well as watching them grow into a cohesive group in canon. The artwork is also beautiful, in my humble opinion.

You should definitely consider checking out Delico’s Nursery if you like anime about hot men put into humorous situations (like chaotic child-rearing). If you already saw the pilot episode, please let me know what you thought of it. I have yet to see much discussion of this anime despite its apparent charm.

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Other Summer Anime So Far

Summer 2024 has been enjoyable for me so far. I wrote up some prileminary ratings and notes for the series I’m covering.

Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf: 8/10. Despite some less than amazing visuals, this new adaptation of a beloved franchise has been highly enjoyable as well as more faithful to the source material. I would rate it 8/10 so far. If you like wolves, medieval settings, historical elements, and good character banter, then you’re sure to enjoy Spice and Wolf. The economics can be a little boring, though.

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Twilight out of Focus: 7/10. This is a great BL anime, featuring genuinely interesting characters and a relative lack of toxicity and overused tropes. Normally, an anime like this would get a very high rating from me. However, its emphasis on sensual scenes between teenage characters is not comfortable for me as an older viewer. If you can handle the discomfort, however, there are many other elements to enjoy, such as the wholesome moments, the catchy ending song, and the mature art style.

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Senpai is an Otokonoko: 8/10. Makoto is an AMAB individual who dresses as a girl at school. This is Makoto’s story as they learn to understand and accept their own identity, as well as make long-lasting relationships. I feared this series would be transphobic, but so far, this has not been the case. I love the adorable trio of main characters and their funny interactions.

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Bye Bye, Earth: 6/10. Although this fantasy adventure anime has several elements that appeal to me – including a strong female protagonist – it has so far failed to meet my expectations. The story is a chaotic mess, full of unanswered questions, and the characters are not succeeding in holding my attention very well. It’s undeniable that the OST is beautiful, and that the visuals are quite impressive. However, for me, story is what matters most. Since there are only five episodes so far, this anime has the potential to improve. For now, though, this lower rating is only fair.

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That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime 3rd Season: 7/10. The first half of the season aired in Spring, and we are now seeing the less exciting second half in Summer. The thing about TenSura is that it’s never been the most thrilling anime. You either like watching Rimuru slowly build his kingdom in a fantasy world, or you don’t. I love Rimuru and several other characters. Watching them develop their nation is fine, but I do wish there was more action. I’m hoping there might be some big events at the festival. We still have about 5 or 6 episodes left to see.

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My Deer Friend Nokotan: 7/10. An absurd comedy, this anime is about a weird girl with deer antlers who begins attending highschool in Hino City. She ropes another girl – Torako Koshi – into creating the Deer Club, where absurd shenanigans ensue. This show is too weird for some people, so don’t bother with it if you are not a fan of asburdity. Nothing will be properly explained, and the fourth wall is constantly torn down. Although I love My Deer Friend for the most part, there are a few negative elements – like the yandere sister – which prevent me from rating it any higher.

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Suicide Squad Isekai: 8/10. I’m impressed with this series, which has only one episode left to be released. The visuals are outstanding on most episodes, though there are some subpar scenes during less eventful episodes. The music is good, the characters each have some relatable sides, and the story is surprisingly engaging. This is a good choice if you want an action show this summer that’s more interesting than say, MHA (in my opinion).

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Yatagarasu: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master: 8/10. Another show that began in Spring, it has suffered from constant delays due to production issues and the scheduling for the 2024 Olympics. This show isn’t for everyone, since it’s not very action-oriented. It focuses on court intrigue and character drama of the Yatagarasu, people who can morph into enormous three-legged ravens. I’m thoroughly enjoying this show for the characters, unique art, and occasional brilliance in storytelling.

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Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin: 7/10. In terms of personal enjoyment, I would easily give this one a higher rating. But looking at it more objectively, 7/10 feels fair. Protagonist and Harvest Goddess Sakuna is banished from the palace of the gods until she learns humility. She must grow rice on a distant island inhabited by demons. I think Sakuna and the other characters are cute and entertaining, but if you don’t like them, there’s nothing much this show has to offer. The nature and farm scenery is relaxing and beautiful to me, but it won’t appeal to everyone. I also think the music is gorgeous.

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Tower of God Second Season: 7/10. The second season of Tower of God got off to a slow start, but has proved highly engaging (at least to me) during the last couple of episodes (mostly episodes 4-6). The action and stakes are increasing, the group of Regulars are becoming a better team, and we are finally learning more about why Bam is now a slayer called Viole. Though it’s mostly an action anime with cool characters and some drama, I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by the story themes and slow world-building.

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~Thanks for reading~