Amagami-san Chi no Enmusubi

Kamihate Uryuu had a tough childhood, losing his parents at a young age and growing up in an orphanage. Despite these hardships, he remains determined and works hard to get into a prestigious medical school. He moves to a shrine at the invitation of the local priest. However, upon arrival, the priest is nowhere to be found. Instead, he meets three beautiful sisters with completely different personalities – Amagami Yae, Asahi, and Shion, who serve as miko (shrine maidens) at the shrine. After a series of unfortunate events, Uryuu quickly establishes a good rapport with them. The next day, the priest returns and reveals that he is actually the girls’ grandfather. Moreover, the reason Uryuu was invited to the shrine turns out to be quite different from what he initially thought.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – the opening episode exceeded my expectations. From the very first moments, I knew I’d stick with this series until the end. The visuals are stunning, with beautiful backgrounds and great character animation, especially when it comes to their emotions. I also really like the character designs. The lead voice actresses, Uesaka Sumire, Hondo Kaede, and Wakayama Shion, deliver excellent performances. The series has a nostalgic feel, drawing heavily from the best elements of the 2000s and the popular shows of that era, particularly those centered on young people living in some kind of estate. The setting isn’t the only nostalgic part – many familiar tropes that I haven’t seen in years make a return as well. I should also mention the soundtrack, which has some interesting compositions reminiscent of older series, and isn’t just background filler. Sadly, that’s something rare in today’s anime. In conclusion, the first episode left a very positive impression on me, and I eagerly await the upcoming episodes.

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Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu 3

Natsuki Subaru steps out of a convenience store, and the last thing he expects is to be transported to another world—yet that’s exactly what happens. Lost in a massive city, Subaru wanders around aimlessly. In a narrow alley, he is attacked by a group of petty thugs, but a beautiful silver-haired girl comes to his rescue. He soon learns that a precious item has been stolen from her. In gratitude, Natsuki offers to help her track down the thief. Later that day, they find a lead and decide to search an abandoned warehouse under the cover of night. Unfortunately, shortly after entering, Subaru and his companion are murdered. However, Subaru quickly regains consciousness in a familiar setting, with the events of the previous day mysteriously repeating themselves, leading once again to his death…

Season 3

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – this episode, over an hour and a half long (equivalent to about four regular episodes), was packed with content. It starts off unassumingly, only to hit viewers with a powerful and unexpected ending that leaves you glued to your seat. This is exactly what I had been waiting for, and I literally can’t wait for the next episodes.

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Ao no Hako

Inomata Taiki attends a sports program school because his mother had extraordinary achievements in basketball. After joining the badminton team in high school, Taiki actively participates in training. He always tries to be the first one in the gym. However, no matter how early he arrives, he’s always the second one there, right behind Kano Chinatsu, a first-year student in whom Taiki has a crush. Chinatsu is a rising star on the basketball team, much like her mother was in the past. While Taiki is a decent badminton player, his prospects are nowhere near as promising as Chinatsu’s. Nevertheless, he manages to establish an unique bond with her, which quickly deepens into a something stronger between them. Unfortunately, one day, Taiki finds out that Chinatsu is moving abroad with her family…

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – the first thing that immediately stands out is the visual design and animation. In most scenes, it is simply breathtaking. The amount of detail and the quality of shading are quite impressive. Unfortunately, for some reason, a few scenes were ruined by 3D animation, slightly spoiling the overall impression. However, this doesn’t change the fact that the first episode looked stunning. Other aspects also did not disappoint me. The characters are quickly likable, and the sports theme was well balanced with character interactions. And of course, the voice actors did an amazing job. We’re talking about big names here like Ueda Reina and Kitou Akari in the main roles. A very successful start, which left me eager for more.

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Kekkon suru tte, Hontou desu ka

Oohara Takuya and Honjouji Rika both work at a travel agency in Tokyo. They rarely speak to each other, and when they do, it usually leads to small misunderstandings. One day, their supervisors announce that they are opening a new branch in Alaska and are looking for employees willing to relocate. If no one volunteers, they will start sending selected people, beginning with singles. Neither Takuya nor Rika can imagine moving away. One day, while walking around the city on their day off, they unexpectedly run into each other. From one word to another, they begin their first normal conversation, clearing up all their previous misunderstandings. At one point, Rika reveals her plan to Takuya—a strategy that would ensure neither of them would be considered for relocation.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – it exceeded my expectations by far. I find the concept for this series very interesting. I’m not sure why the setting was changed from Siberia (as in the source material) to Alaska—it feels like a rather pointless change, but for now, it doesn’t seem to affect the plot. The main couple is incredibly charming, and there’s a lot of potential in the supporting characters as well. Hayami Saori shines in the lead role, and she’s not the only big name in the cast. With talents like Touyama Nao, Koshimizu Ami, Fairouz Ai, Nakata Jouji, and Genda Tesshou on board, it’s worth giving this series a chance for the voice cast alone. I’m definitely looking forward to the next episodes!

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Kimi wa Meido-sama

Yokoya Hitoyoshi is a young high school student living alone, as his family is almost constantly away from home. With little motivation to maintain cleanliness, he often struggles with loneliness. One day, a beautiful maid appears at his doorstep, asking to be hired. Through their conversation, she reveals that she has been working as a contract assassin since childhood. Her employer recently retired and recommended she seek out the Yokoya estate, supposedly owned by distant relatives of his.

Upon hearing her story, Hitoyoshi is horrified and politely refuses her offer of employment. The woman leaves his home but forgets to take a small bell she uses as a hair ornament. Rushing to return it, Hitoyoshi chases her into the street but fails to notice a speeding truck heading straight toward him. To his surprise, the maid saves him in the nick of time. Grateful and moved by her actions, Hitoyoshi decides to give her a chance and welcomes her into his home.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – the moment I saw the series poster, I had a feeling something truly intriguing was on the horizon. The debut episode promises not only an engaging comedy about the everyday life of a former contract assassin adjusting to an entirely new environment but also hints at a touch of drama. Additionally, the character design is simply outstanding. Yuki, the main protagonist, is an absolute visual delight. On top of that, Ueda Reina’s performance in the lead role is in a class of its own.

I recommend the improved subtitles by Chihiro.

Ranma ½

Tendou Soun announces to his three daughters—Akane, Nabiki, and Kasumi—that he has found a suitable candidate for a husband. To unite the two families and secure the future of the Tendou martial arts legacy, Saotome Ranma, the son of his old friend, is to be engaged to one of them. Akane, a skilled martial artist who isn’t fond of boys, is chosen as Ranma’s fiancée.

Shortly after, the aforementioned Ranma arrives at their estate. However, the family quickly notices something peculiar—Ranma is a girl. It’s soon revealed that the Saotome family has a unique problem. During a training session at ancient Chinese cursed springs, they fell into enchanted pools that cause them to transform when splashed with water. Cold water turns Ranma into a girl, while hot water reverts him to a boy. Similarly, his father transforms into a panda under the same conditions.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – mimo wszechobecnej cenzury (niestety miałem rację) w porównaniu to do – zarówno mangi, jak i starej adaptacji, oglądało się całość całkiem dobrze. Dam tej serii szansę, jednak naprawdę boli mnie fakt, że żyjemy w takich chorych czasach, że dla garstki chorych ludzi sztuka musi być cenzurowana. Animacja jest naprawdę ładna. Podobnie jak projekty postaci. Wciąż wolę to, jak wygląda oryginalna adaptacja, jednak studio MAPPA wykonało tutaj od strony wizualnej naprawdę dobrą robotę. The animation is truly beautiful, as are the character designs. While I still prefer the original adaptation’s aesthetic, MAPPA has done an impressive job on the visual front.

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Tsuma, Shougakusei ni Naru

Niijima Keisuke meets a woman named Takae at work, and they quickly hit it off. Before long, the two marry and begin a happy, loving life together, soon blessed with a daughter, Mai. Unfortunately, their happiness is short-lived as Takae tragically passes away at a young age. Despite the loss, Keisuke maintains a strong bond with his daughter, though their lives are irrevocably changed. Keisuke loses his sense of purpose, and his mental health deteriorates.

Ten years later, a miracle occurs. A ten-year-old girl appears at their home, claiming to be Keisuke’s wife and saying that she has returned to her family. As proof of her identity, she recounts private memories from their past that no one else could possibly know.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – this series had a fantastic start. While the visuals aren’t groundbreaking, they’re pleasant enough to watch. Although the premise might suggest a comedic tone, this is shaping up to be a heavy, multi-layered drama.By the second episode (the first two premiered together), the story took a dark turn. On one hand, there’s joy as Mai and Keisuke relish the chance to be a family again. On the other hand, the circumstances surrounding Takae—now named Marika in her new life—are fraught with difficulty.I’m deeply intrigued to see how all the plot threads will develop. This is definitely one of the strongest starts of the season.

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It’s similar to the year-end recaps, namely – I recommend what I consider awesome in my opinion. Below is a list of my favorite songs from the openings and endings (all of them I consider noteworthy, but the ones I particularly love are marked in bold, while the ones I consider as even more outstanding are marked in green, bold font). The scheme is clear, but I will clarify it:
Artist – Title (Artist in romaji – Title in romaji) | Anime Title