Hello, and welcome to Anime Rants. The Summer 2024 anime season continues as August fades and gives way to September. The following reviews and responses are for episodes that aired between Aug 26th and September 1st, 2024. Thank you to anyone who has been reading, and special thanks to those who have commented lately even though I haven’t been good about responding. Your participation in my blog is greatly appreciated! Now then, let’s get into the episode reviews.

Article Contents

1. Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf
2. Delico’s Nursery
3. Twilight Out Of Focus
4. Senpai is an Otokonoko
5. Bye Bye, Earth
6. That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season 3
7. My Deer Friend Nokotan
8. Yatagarasu: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master
9. Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin
10. Tower of God Season 2

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Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf

Episode 21: Pagan Village and Priest’s Contract

Episode Rating: 7/10

Lawrence and Holo spent much of the night eating and drinking at the local tavern, which was owned by a cheerful and strong woman. During the merriment, Lawrence learned that this was a Pagan village. The people worshipped the snake god Truyeo, who gave them bountiful harvests. There was ongoing friction between the Christian Church and the Pagan villagers. Holo got extremely drunk and had to be supported by Lawrence on their way back to the inn.

The next day, Lawrence continued learning more about the small Pagan village. In the past, the villagers were forced to pay taxes to the Church as reparations for worshipping a Pagan god. But the kind local priest, Father Franz, put an end to that policy. He also negotiated a beneficial trade contract with the neighboring town of Enberch. Father Franz was loved and respected even by the Pagan villagers who disagreed with his religion. Now that he’s passed on, Elsa wants to take over as town priest.

The town leader and Elsa denied the existence of the Abbey and refused to talk about the priest who collected Pagan tales. This made Lawrence want to give up on finding those stories. Holo agreed that it would be dangerous to keep trying to pry into Pagan stories with the Church in this town. However, she proposed her own idea to Lawrence. I don’t know what it is yet, but knowing Holo, it’s something a little crazy.

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Delico’s Nursery

Episode 4: A Curse Called Love

Episode Rating: 7/10

Lord Maurice is the third-in-command of the Vlad Agency and one of only a handful of individuals who know the current location of the True of Vamp (Trump). Due to Lord Johannes’ Initiative power, Maurice cannot be made to tell this secret. However, he was still taken control of by one of the five members of Pendulum. That member – a male named Keith – ordered Maurice to steal documents about the Vlad Agency and give them to Pendulum.

Maurice had no choice but to obey. When he was taken in for questioning, he followed the order of the Initiative in ending his own life. Thanks to the document leak, every member of the Vlad Agency is now in danger. Meanwhile, Dali continues trying to raise the children to the best of his ability. Raphael is going through a rebellious phrase where he keeps shouting “No!” and saying he hates baby Ul. In addition, Theodore is struggling under the pressure exerted by his father. He’s a troubled kid.

So far, I’m enjoying this anime, even though the vampire lore is unusual in some ways. (For example, vampires can easily kill themselves with a number of methods, not just a stake through the heart.) This is a bit random, but I was mildly irritated to see that the flamboyantly queer character of this anime is, of course, a murderous villain. I’m so sick of that trope. On a final note, I am keenly interested in “Trump” and why he is so mentally unstable. Hopefully, we’ll learn more about him soon.

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Twilight Out Of Focus

Episode 9: You Should Want to See Me More

Episode Rating: 8/10

Yoshino kept dating Rei despite feeling like it was all just a façade. Jin and the third-years made a list of things for Rei to do in order to be a good boyfriend, and he made an effort. Yoshino found out that his roommate, Kirito, wants to film music videos, but wasn’t selected for a spot in helping the second-year’s music video project.

Trying to be kind, Yoshino offered his own place to Kirito. The other boy angrily refused. He wants Yoshino to take the film club seriously and actually try to care. Anyone who would give away their position must not really be invested. After getting snapped at by Kirito, Yoshino didn’t want to go back to the bedroom that night. Rei allowed the younger boy to sleep in his room instead.

Yoshino and Rei talked about things and flirted, but did not have sex. I think they bonded a little more. The next day, Yoshino decided to give his all at the film club and win back Kirito’s respect. To his surprise and delight, he had fun and felt fulfilled by the time the movie shoot was over. It was a wholesome episode.

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Senpai is an Otokonoko

Episode 8: Wound

Episode Rating: 8/10

Saki’s grandma collapsed due to dizziness. She seems to be alright, but the hospital wants to keep her for a few days to make sure there are no other issues. There couldn’t have been a worse time for this to happen – because a “suspicious person” was seen in the neighborhood earlier that day. Saki’s father called and said he would be there in the morning. However, while bathing that night, Saki saw a shady figure outside the window.

Feeling unsafe, Saki called Ryuuji. He came over to keep her company. However, Saki’s dad arrived early, so Ryuuji went home. He is still dating Makoto, but he’s worried about the fact that Makoto doesn’t seem to fully “get” what dating means. It isn’t clear if Makoto even has any romantic feelings for Ryuuji. I think they might have the beginnings of such feelings, but mostly, they just don’t want to lose Ryuuji as a friend.

Despite saying that he would stay with her through Christmas, Saki’s dad had to leave on business several days prior to the holiday. Saki pretended not to be upset, but she’s clearly lonely. Makoto and Ryuuji will be spending Christmas together, so I hope they invite Saki as well. This episode also showed us that Saki’s mother left the family when Saki was only a toddler. She left the tiny child all alone and never came back. Talk about trauma! I love Saki and I hope she gets the support she needs soon.

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Bye Bye, Earth

Episode 8: A Ball Shaking Before the Fiend Flower

Episode Rating: 6/10

Belle was invited to a ball to hear Sherry give a beautiful singing performance. However, during the event, Tir showed up and started attacking people. He has been possessed and turned into a Nidhogg. The God of Schwert Land commands Belle to fight Tir and destroy him. The battle is difficult, but Belle succeeds. While fighting, she had a revelation, realizing it was the Divine Tree – not the sword of Tiziano – that was eating solist souls.

Despite knowing the evil of the Divine Tree, Belle continues serving it for just a little longer. After one more final trial, she will finally be granted the right to become a nomad. Belle would normally be excited, but she wants to start her journey with Adonis, who is depressed and won’t commit to going with her. He feels like what happened to Tir was his fault. As a result, Belle is upset too.

I don’t have much to say about this episode besides the usual: the dialogue and story make very little sense, and I don’t understand a big chunk of whatever is happening at any given time. It’s aggravating how an anime with such amazing music and stunning visuals manages to fail miserably at telling a coherent story. The characters are also very hit-or-miss and underdeveloped. It’s frustrating because I truly wanted this anime to be better.

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That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season 3

Episode 20: Nation’s Opening Festival

Episode Rating: 7/10

The Festival has finally begun! There was a performance of classical music by an orchestra comprised of humans, elves, and all manner of monsters. Shion and Shuna also performed some music with the former on violin and the latter on piano. Impressed by the display of fine arts, Luminous met with Rimuru and asked that he allowed their countries to have “cultural exchange.” Rimuru agreed.

Also, in return for accepting some technology researchers from Lubelius, Rimuru was given a new power by Luminous. It allows your followers to use small amounts of one’s powers as long as they believe in you as their leader. Speaking of technology, there was also a fascinating presentation about magicules and healing herbs given by Rimuru’s researchers. I was keenly interested in hearing about their experiments and discoveries.

Hinata watched over the five kids during the festival because Miss Tiss was feeling under the weather. The children and Hinata had a lot of fun. Meanwhile, Mjomille called for a meeting and told Rimuru that a bunch of merchants were demanding their pay all at once. The problem is that Rimuru’s country doesn’t have much in the way of Dwarven currency, which is the global standard. Rimuru decided that two day was enough time to raise the money. It will be paid out on the day after the festival ends.

The first day of the National Festival drew to a close. The next day, it was time for the martial arts tournament to begin! That’s where the episode ends. So far, I’m enjoying the festival arc immensely. I hope it doesn’t get ruined by enemies or disasters. On a final note, Hinata is strikingly beautiful in that blue gown!

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My Deer Friend Nokotan

Episode 9: Get the Sports Festival Done!

Episode Rating: 6/10

As the title suggests, this episode was about the annual sports festival. Koshitan is partially responsible for making sure everything goes smoothly since she is the president of the student council. Naturally, Nokotan and a herd of deer arrived to make things chaotic and absurd. Several other characters appeared as well, such as the old lady who believes in the deer god (Granny Inukai).

There were a lot of ridiculous and funny shenanigans as the sporting events went on. I admit that this episode made me chuckle and laugh at several moments. However, I’m sick of sports festivals as a school anime trope, so this episode was slightly less enjoyable for me. I also feel disgusted whenever there’s a part focused on Anko. I don’t find her character funny at all. This may not have been the best episode, but I’m still entertained enough to keep watching.

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Yatagarasu: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master

Episode 17: King of the Underground

Episode Rating: 9/10

Natsuka and Rokon forced the Prince to stay behind in the care of Sumio. They also pressured Yukiya into accompanying them. The boy agreed to go because he wanted to do whatever he could to protect Taruhi, and there had been another monkey attack in the North. Together, Natsuka, Rokon, and Yukiya entered the Ravine and came face-to-face with Lord Tobi of the Underground.

Things did not go well. Tobi tried to cancel the meeting, saying that the Prince broke his trust and the peace agreement was officially over. Yukiya threw himself on the ground and begged for information about the monkeys, offering his life if needed. Just then, King Saku – previous lord of the underground – arrived. Though he’s retired now, he still commands a lot of power and respect in the underworld. He asked Tobi to let him handle the situation.

Rokon carried Natsuka away, leaving Yukiya behind. King Saku then sent Yukiya into a dark underground cave to fetch “white shards.” If he can bring back the shards in four hours, he will be rewarded with information about the monkeys. Yukiya bravely went into the cave and eventually stumbled upon a small mountain of humanoid bones. So, these were the “white shards.”

As Yukiya grabbed some bones, two children suddenly came into view. They had strange eyes that made it clear they were not the species as Yukiya. They were monkey-people. The two children turned into their beast forms and attacked Yukiya. He would have been killed if the Prince didn’t suddenly show up and save him. The Prince told Yukiya to run back the way he came. Meanwhile, he would stay and fight the monkeys. To be continued.

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Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin

Episode 9: The One Who Controls the Demons

Episode Rating: 8/10

This exciting episode showed us who has been leading the demons on the island for many years: it’s a joint effort by the human Ishimaru and the demon god Omizuchi. When Sakuna kicked Ishimaru off the heavenly bridge, he fell into a time vortex and was brought back to the island in the distant past. He found the wounded Omizuchi and healed his wounds in exchange for demonic power. Ever since then, the two evil beings have been planning to destroy the Lofty Realm and invade the Lowly Realm.

Sakuna, Kokorowa, and the humans were led into a huge demon ambush. Long story short, it was because they helped an injured demon rabbit. The Ashigumo warrior and Kokorowa’s automaton helped Sakuna fight until she was face to face with Ishimaru. At that moment, there was a volcanic eruption. The island began to burn. Ishimaru announced that it was the return of Omizuchi. He then escaped from Sakuna.

As if things couldn’t get any worse, Tamaji reminded Sakuna that their home in the pass could also be under attack. The rice, the houses, and the humans could be in danger. Kokorowa went back there alone while Sakuna was fighting Ishimaru. But when Sakuna arrived back at the pass, there was no sign of the other goddess or the humans. The houses and fields were all burned down. To be continued.

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Tower of God Season 2

Episode 9: One-Winged Devil

Episode Rating: 8/10

For reasons I don’t yet know, Khun’s group is hunting down a powerful individual known as the Devil of the Right Hand. That person – whose real name is Cassano – was seen in the background of someone’s social media post. Khun and his followers aren’t the only ones looking for Cassano. Kang Horyang is also determined to find him.

Kang and Cassano were sold off to the Workshop as babies and used as human test subjects. They were eventually put through a terrible experiment that forced half of a devil into each of them. The right side of Kang was possessed by half the evil power, while the left side of Cassano received the other half. Eventually, the boys were separated, and Kang was sent to the Tower.

Now that Cassano is also climbing the Tower, Kang leaves Viole’s group to look for him. However, before he leaves, he questions Viole about whether he was a test subject. It seems like Viole has demonic power – a red, bony monster appears and heals him at key moments. Viole explains that FUG gave him the red monster power, but he wasn’t part of the Workshop experiments. Satisfied, Kang leaves the group to find Cassano.

This was my favorite episode in the second season so far. I loved learning about Kang’s tragic past. When they were kids, Kang and Cassano were given a basic education by a research assistant named Sophia. She was the only person who treated them like humans, but she disappeared after they were fused with that devil. I want to know what happened to Sophia. I also have a lot of unanswered questions about the Tower itself. This series continues to interest me.

~Thanks for reading~

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