Konnichiwa! Thanks for visiting Anime Rants. I was expecting most or all of the shows to wrap up this week, but there are still several that have yet to conclude. So, there will probably be a 13th week in this series after all. As for this week, the ones that ended were: Twilight Out of Focus, My Deer Friend Nokotan, and Yatagarasu: The Raven Doesn’t Choose Its Master. I’m not sure if Tower of God Season 2 is over or if it’s just the end of the first cour. These episodes were released in the week of September 16th to 22nd, 2024.

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 24: Path of the Snake God and Answer of the Wise Wolf

Episode Rating: 8/10

So far, I’ve loved this final arc of Spice and Wolf, which was never animated by the older version, since I assume it hadn’t come out yet in manga form. This episode was another excellent addition to the already exciting and thought-provoking final arc. I’m very impressed with the character of Elsa as well as the deepening bond between Lawrence and Holo. It was also great to see Holo’s wolf form again. Let’s go over what happened.

Lawrence, Holo, Elsa, and Evan used the secret passageway under the church to escape the town of Tereo. To their surprise, the tunnel led out to the cave near the entrance of town, which was used as a shrine area for people praying to Truyeo. According to the legends, Truyeo the snake god dug that tunnel himself. Holo confirmed that the passage was made by a giant creature, but she expressed doubt that Truyeo was still in the area.

Holo transformed into a giant wolf and everyone rode on her back as she galloped across the land for several miles. After a bit, they decided to rest. During that time, Lawrence spotted a large envoy of men from Enberch on their way to Tereo. They were there to forcibly return the wheat, and many had spears. Also with them was the head priest of Enberch, on his way to officially label Tereo as a pagan town. That would certainly lead to misery and ruin for the largely pagan villagers.

As the group continued, Elsa grew increasingly uneasy. Finally, she spoke up. She confirmed with Holo that she was a god and that many others like her – including Truyeo – mostly likely exist. Elsa is deeply saddened, because this means her faith as she knew it until now was broken. However, rather than wallowing, the strong girl announced that she was going back to Tereo to run the church and take care of the villagers, just like Father Franz.

Elsa left, and Evan decided to follow her. Lawrence and Holo lingered behind, with Holo becoming suddenly furious. Seeing Elsa fight for her village, Holo compares the girl to herself. She blames herself for her hometown’s destruction. Bitterness and regret flood her mind as she realizes that even if she had been there for the battle, she probably would have died fighting the bear god. Lawrence is able to help Holo calm down, and the two of them decide to join Elsa in saving Tereo.

Lawrence has a brilliant plan to save the town. Holo will use some harvest god magic to produce a miracle They need to make the priest acknowledge it was a godly miracle and not pagan devil magic. Then the Church wouldn’t oppress the town, leaving it alone with Elsa’s church in charge. She would be like Father Franz and not force her beliefs on the villagers. Holo has a miracle in mind. She shows it to Lawrence and he thinks it can work. Now reunited with Elsa and Evan, Lawrence and Holo begin their plan.

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Delico’s Nursery

Episode 7 was delayed until October 16th, 2024.

Episode Rating: N/A

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Twilight Out of Focus

Episode 12: A Red Thread

Episode Rating: 8/10

This episode was highly enjoyable and had great moments for the two main characters. I especially appreciated Mao and Hisashi’s talk about destiny and uncertainty. They’re aware that romantic notions like “happy ever after” aren’t real. Still, they long for certainty because they don’t want to lose each other as their lives change. That’s the danger of loving someone. The imagery of the red thread connecting the two boys was slightly forced, but romantic enough that I will excuse it in a BL anime.

After skipping classes and spending the day with Mao, Hisashi begins to feel more confident. He decides to take the lead role for the music video shoot after all. The film club then organizes a trip to a beach they rented for two hours. That’s where they will film two important takes for the video. Mao is the cameraman and does a great job filming Hisashi as he runs along the beach. The visuals are really beautiful for these golden sunset scenes.

In the after-credits scene, we see Ichikawa getting pumped about their next video shoot, which will again star Hisashi. A few others are in the room, including Hisashi and Mao. Ichikawa asks if the two are dating, and although Mao isn’t sure if he should answer, Hisashi confirms it. I think this was a good final scene because it shows that Hisashi trusts the film club now. It was also funny to see Ichikawa and the twins teasing Mao a little. That’s the end of the final episode. I’m going to miss this cute and romantic anime.

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Senpai is an Otokonoko

Episode 11: Used to Be Friends

Episode Rating: 7/10

For Makoto, Ryuji, and their classmates, it’s time for the big school trip to Kyoto. Saki will also be going on a trip soon, since her mother offered to take her on vacation. Ryuji’s friend Saotome has a huge crush on Hayase, a cute girl that used to be good friends with Makoto. After Makoto’s secret got out, Hayase was too timid to continue being their friend. She didn’t want to be bullied and insulted by being close to Makoto, who was frequently called a pervert by other students.

The trip to Kyoto is Hayase’s opportunity to make things right with Makoto. It’s also an opportunity for Saotome to confess his feelings to Hayase. I like Hayase and she has an adorable design. Saotome, the impulsive but sweet-natured loudmouth, is also a decent character. However, suddenly focusing on these two students in the second-to-last episode feels like an odd choice. There are still a lot of issues to settle within the main cast. Can they all be solved in one final episode?

Hayase, Saotome, Makoto, Ryuji, and one other girl (whose name I forgot) spent the free portion of the trip together. They went shopping for kimonos, and Makoto wore the female type with the other girls. They all looked beautiful in their traditional clothes. After they finished shopping, Hayase found some alone time with Makoto and apologized for not being stronger when needed. Makoto gladly forgave their old friend and the two are on the path to being besties again.

Saotome confessed to Hayase, but she was flustered and unsure if he was being serious. He tried again a few days later, at school. This time, Hayase said she’d be happy to be with him. With the trip over, and having the support of Ryuji and Saki, Makoto decided to have a serious talk with their mother. It was time to tell the truth. I’m not sure why Makoto thought this would work. Obviously, the old lady is unhinged.

Sure enough, when Makoto told the truth, the unstable woman started having a panic attack and had to be escorted away by her husband. I swear, I’ve never had such a lack of sympathy for anyone having a panic attack. In the final scene, Makoto’s father tells them to go meet their maternal grandfather for the first time. I suspect that the grandfather is also genderfluid or some flavor of queer. That’s why Mr. Hanaoka encouraged the meeting. But if the last episode somehow tries to make excuses for the mother’s queerphobia, I swear I am going to lose my shit. We’ll see next time.

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Bye Bye, Earth

Episode 11 Does Not Exist

Last week’s 10th installment was apparently the final episode.

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That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Season 3

Episode 23: The Labyrinth Is Opened

Episode Rating: 7/10

Much like the tournament episodes, this installment was very simple and enjoyable. On the third day of Tempest’s National Festival, the dungeon was opened to the public. Four teams of adventurers went in first as a promotion. If any of the teams can acquire a rare item from a gold chest within a certain time limit, they will “win” the competition for that day and of course keep the rare item.

The first team was a group of clumsy adventurers nobody had ever heard of. The second team was made up of Eren and her two companions. The third team was Masayuki’s group. As for the fourth “team,” it was only one person: Gaiye the warrior and A-Rank adventurer. This red-haired man clearly had a bad attitude and Rimuru wasn’t happy to see him again after the insults he threw last time. Still, Gaiye was allowed to participate.

In the end, two teams emerged victorious: Eren’s group and Masayuki’s group. (Eren technically cheated by getting dungeon information from Ramiris in exchange for cake.) The team of clumsy adventurers failed to acquire a rare item before the time limit. As for Gaiye, he broke the rules and attacked one of the dryad supervisors. The dryad proceeded to behead him. (Gaiye was, of course, wearing the resurrection bracelet. He respawned in one piece outside the dungeon entrance.)

After the dungeon event, everyone got free food from the shops in town and partied all night. With that, the festival was finally over. I was surprised nothing horrible happened. However, there is still the potential for trouble the next day. The cranky merchants will all be demanding their pay at once. Rimuru needs to handle things carefully. Next week is the last episode of the season.

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My Deer Friend Nokotan

Episode 12: Farewell Nokotan!? Long Live the Deer Club!

Episode Rating: 6/10

I’m not sure exactly what I was hoping for, but I definitely wanted something more than what I got. This final episode of Nokotan was underwhelming and had very few moments that tickled my sense of humor. The highlight of the episode for me was the song that Koshitan’s VA sung during the training montage, “You Are A Wild Deer.” That song was both funny and mildly impressive.

In a nutshell, the episode was about Deer’s Den – a secret organization of deer mascots – trying to bring Nokotan back into their fold after she ran away. If they catch her, the deer club will be disbanded. Nokotan had contests with several weird mascots, including a dance competition with a creature called Kyun. It all culminated in a boxing match with a famous mascot named Sento-kun. Maybe this would be funnier if I were Japanese and knew about this character.

Despite losing every single match – including the final round – Nokotan did not get deported back to the Deer’s Den. Sento-kun acknowledged her efforts in the battle. As a result, both contestants were declared the winners. The deer club can go on as usual. There was also a cute moment where Koshitan finally called her companion “Nokotan” instead of “Shikanoko.” And that’s the end of this unusual series.

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Yatagarasu: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master

Episode 20: The Golden Raven

Episode Rating: 8/10

Koume went to confront her mother about selling sagecap. Although she said she had no intention of turning her mother in, Koume was actually hoping that Yukiya would pursue her and back her up. It’s a good thing he did, because Koume’s mother tried to murder her. This psychopathic woman is worlds worse than I expected. She was also the mastermind manipulating Jihei and feeding innocent people to the monkeys.

There is a long and unrealistic scene of Koume being strangled. I’m not going to rant about that because it’s anime and I don’t care if it’s innaccurate. Just before Koume is killed, Yukiya and the Prince arrive to save her. Yukiya comforts Koume while the Prince takes the psychopath woman outside. Unfortunately, the woman’s boyfriend is out there, extremely high on sagecap. He transforms into a raven and begins a violent rampage.

Yukiya helps the Prince knock the insane raven unconscious. Then, taking advantage of the chaos, Koume’s mother stabs the Prince in the back. It’s a deep wound, and he almost immediately passes out. Sumio then arrives with backup and finishes off the rampaging bird. Koume’s mother gets arrested. The Prince is taken into the palace’s medical care, but he’s already lost a lot of blood. For several long hours, everyone wonders if the Prince will survive.

While waiting, Natsuka questions Koume’s mother. She’s such a psychopath that he can’t make any sense of her. She will definitely be executed, regardless. The next morning, the Prince regains consciousness. He’s weak, but he will be fine eventually. We then see a time skip of presumably a few weeks. The Prince, now fully healed, goes out at night with Yukiya. It’s time to fix the tears in the boundary.

While he fires the magic arrows and seals up the holes, the Prince explains that Yamauchi is shrinking due to the growth of civilization of humanity. The “ghost fire” lights are actually electric lights from human cities. The world of the Yatagarasu may be ending soon. Nobody knows this other than the Prince and Yukiya. Rather than leave the Prince without any support, Yukiya pledges his loyalty and decides to join the royal guard. Nazukihiko accepts the oath and says Yukiya will one day be his right-hand man.

That’s basically the end. Yukiya begins to attend the monastery that trains royal guards. Also, Koume is seen on the streets with a hood over her face, smiling menacingly. I’m not sure what that means. This was a decent ending, all things considered. But there is so much more I want to see and know. Hopefully, there will be a second season. I’m impressed with the series overall and I plan to write a review and/or other related articles as soon as soon as I can.

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Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin

Episode 12: The Blade of Hoshitama

Episode Rating: 8/10

Sakuna has made the decision to fight the evil god, Omizuchi. However, her Divine Raiment is torn, and none of her weapons are sharp enough to pierce the scales of the giant water serpent. The only sword sharp enough is the Blade of Hoshitama. After this magical blade broke, the remaining half took the form of Tama-Ji, a spirit companion to Sakuna’s father. After Sakuna’s parents disappeared, Tama helped raise the young goddess in the capital.

In order to be re-forge the Blade of Hoshitama, Kinta will need to melt down and destroy Tama’s body. His soul will reside in the weapon once it’s complete. At first, Sakuna adamantly opposes this idea. It’s like asking her to sacrifice the person who raised her. Eventually, however, Sakuna realizes that there’s no other choice if she wants to save her beloved island and the life that exists there. Thus, she decides to spend one last day with Tama, doing whatever he wants.

Tama is most comfortable spending the day at the farmhouse, relaxing on the porch and drinking tea. He watches Sakuna and the others plant a new crop of rice since it’s spring. At one point, Tama even joins in and plants a few seedlings with his tiny paws. Everyone sings the rice-planting song, and Tama marvels at how Sakuna has become a proper harvest goddess. He’s so proud of her.

That night, Tama-ji sneaks away from Sakuna and asks the others to melt him down. When Sakuna wakes up the next morning, Tama-ji is no more. There is now a beautiful jade-colored hoe waiting for her to wield it. Sakuna is distraught. She didn’t get to say a final goodbye, so I think she’s justifying in feeling hurt by the others. But it wasn’t easy for them, either. Kinta cried as he explained that he was fulfulling Tama’s last wish. Sakuna runs away, sobbing and remembering her third parent.

The episode ends there. I can’t believe such a cute little anime made me cry. This episode was legitimately so sad! All this time, I’ve been mildly annoyed with the character of Tama-ji, despite knowing how important he was for keeping Sakuna on track. He was always so fussy and bossy. I wasn’t expecting to literally shed tears when he died. Technically, Tama-ji is still alive; but his soul became a weapon, so he can’t communicate now. I will miss this fussy little spirit.

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Tower of God Season 2

Episode 12: A New Trial

Episode Rating: 7/10

This episode was important for Khun and for setting up the next major battle. At the start of the episode, Ran and Novick are seen on board a floating ship with Xia Xia and Viole. They snuck aboard the ship seconds before the explosion. Though Ran and Novick are eager to keep fighting, Viole wants to stop the violence. He convinces Ran and Novick to join him and Xia Xia in the upcoming workshop battle.

Meanwhile, Khun awakens with his wounds cared for, lying in a comfortable bed. He’s been saved by Wangnan and his group, who found his unconscious body in the rubble leftover from the Hand of Arlen. At first, Khun refuses to trust Wangnan and his people. He demands to be taken back home to check on his teammates. Wangnan and company agree to the demand. At Khun’s base, they discover the bodies of Gyetang and Dan.

Surprisingly, Dan is still alive but unconscious from blood loss. Instead of hitting any vital spots, Rachel repeatedly stabbed his legs. Assuming Dan wakes up again, he won’t be able to use his running ability anymore. Frustrated by all the bad news, Khun goes outside to clear his head. He wanted to be alone, but instead finds himself face to face with Ryun, the redhead woman who works for FUG.

Ryun proposes an idea. Khun should team up with Wangnan and his group and take part in the workshop battle. They are sure to see Viole there with his own group. To be honest, I don’t understand exactly why Ryun wants this to happen. Presumably, she wants Khun’s team to beat Viole’s team, but I don’t know why. Hopefully, I can figure out her motivations later when my head is clearer. Regardless, Khun agrees to the idea.

In the last few minutes of the episode, Dan wakes up. Despite losing the use of his legs, he wants to keep fighting. He’s determined to prove to Rachel that she didn’t break him. I’m pretty sure Khun will find a way to let Dan continue on the team. That’s a very encouraging ending.

~Thanks for reading~

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