Haite Kudasai, Takamine-san

Takamine Takane is a high school student who achieves perfection in every field. Excellent grades, impressive athletic abilities, and the position of student council president obtained in her first year of high school make her the object of widespread admiration and envy. However, behind her successes lies a certain secret – Takamine possesses a supernatural ability called Eternal Virgin Road, allowing her to rewind her actions and change their results. This unique ability comes with a price – to use it, Takamine must remove a piece of her underwear.

During one lesson, dissatisfied with her test result, Takamine decides to use her power. This is accidentally noticed by her average, not very confident classmate – Shirota Koushi. Before the boy could understand what he actually saw, reality changed, and Takamine’s test result achieved the maximum grade. When the intrigued Shirota decides to ask the girl about her previous result, Takamine reveals her secret to him. Then, taking advantage of the situation, she blackmails him into serving as her portable wardrobe. All this so she can use her ability without limitations and maintain her position as the most popular person at school. Shirota, seeing no other way out, agrees, which leads to an unusual, intimate relationship between him and the most admired student in school.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – the first episode might suggest that this title has nothing to offer beyond fanservice, however, as a manga reader, I know that’s not the case. The adaptation itself was done really well, without toning down or censorship. In the West, we even got a version completely free of any censorship in the form of light flashes or black bars (meaning the best of the three versions in which the series airs on Japanese TV). I hope this level of adaptation is maintained throughout the entire season.

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Rock wa Lady no Tashinami deshite

At the prestigious Oushin Academy for girls, where elite families send their daughters, Suzunomiya Ririsa finds herself in a difficult position. After her mother remarried a real estate tycoon, Ririsa was forced to give up her beloved guitar and rock music to fit in with her new high-society environment. Each day, she puts on the act of being the perfect lady, while secretly longing for her musical passion.

Everything changes when she stumbles upon an old, abandoned school building and hears the sound of drums. Following the music, she discovers Kurogane Otoha – the daughter of a powerful politician and the most admired first-year student – skillfully playing the drums. When Ririsa returns a guitar pick Otoha dropped, the two end up in an impromptu musical face-off. To Ririsa’s amazement, beneath Otoha’s perfect, elegant exterior lies an incredibly talented and passionate drummer.

This chance encounter sparks the beginning of their musical journey together. Despite their different personalities and backgrounds, the girls bond over their hidden love for rock music. As they secretly explore their rock star dreams, they must still navigate the strict expectations of their elite academy, where the ultimate achievement is being named a Noble Maiden – an honor reserved for only the most exemplary students.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – all my concerns that I expressed in the season overview have been dispelled. A very good start, and I’m satisfied with the music as well. The only downside that slightly diminished my viewing pleasure was the use of 3D graphics during scenes where the girls were playing instruments. Although they didn’t look terrible, it still disrupted the flow. In any case – the series stays on my list.

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Danjo no Yuujou wa Seiritsu suru? (Iya, Shinai!!)

Natsume Yuu dreams of owning his own accessories shop. His parents agree to let him pursue this dream if he manages to sell 100 accessories at the school festival, while knowing this would be impossible for him. However, the boy receives unexpected help from a popular girl, Inuzuki Himari, who persuades other female students to buy everything he has to offer.
Two years later, now a high school student, Yuu regularly sells his accessories through his parents’ shop. Interestingly, Himari continues to support him, allowing her to observe the excitement in his eyes while he works. She also started wearing a necklace he made from anemone flaccida, symbolizing eternal friendship and inseparability. She often jokes that she’ll have to marry him if he doesn’t open his own shop before his thirtieth birthday.
In her private thoughts, Himari can’t determine if she’s in love with him, because the thought of Yuu dating other girls doesn’t make her feel jealous at all. One day, Yuu notices a girl wearing a bracelet he sold at a festival at his previous school, but he runs away when she gets angry after he offers to fix the broken chain. Yuu’s friend, Shinji, known as the school’s ladies’ man, turns out to be this girl Enomoto Rion’s childhood friend. Together they arrange a situation where Yuu can fix the bracelet, which he actually sold to Rion’s older sister, now a model. Rion is impressed by the level of focus Yuu puts into his work and is surprised that he and Himari are not a couple.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – I can see which direction this series is heading and I’m already genuinely rooting for Himari. The show definitely stays on my list of what I’m watching.

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Kowloon Generic Romance

In a distant future, people who value the old way of life inhabit Kowloon – a slum district serving as a refuge for those who long for the old Hong Kong. Real estate agent Kujirai Reiko, however, desires to discover new, exciting places in the area. Meanwhile, her only coworker, Kudou Hajime, savors the nostalgia that the city evokes in him and is repelled by anything modern that penetrates through its walls. Despite their differing views and constant arguments over the smallest things, they often enjoy spending time together. One day, a failed joke leads Hajime to unexpectedly get closer to Reiko, for which he quickly apologizes. Surprised by his behavior, Reiko begins looking for possible explanations, only to discover a past she doesn’t remember at all. She herself feels as if she’s living simultaneously in two parallel realities, sometimes seeing places and shops that shouldn’t be there.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – an even better start than I expected. Wonderful visuals and character design. Quite nice fanservice and a plot that intrigues right from the beginning. I’m eagerly waiting for the next episodes.

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Summer Pockets

Takahara Hairi, a young man struggling with an emotional wound, arrives at the remote island of Torishirojima during summer vacation to help his aunt Katou Kyouko sort through the belongings of his recently deceased grandmother – an eccentric woman who collected treasures from around the world. Upon arrival, Hairi experiences an inexplicable sense of nostalgia, despite never having visited this island before. During his stay, he meets a colorful group of characters: the energetic Umi, who also lives in his aunt’s house, the mysterious Shiroha who practices alone by the water at night, the habitually late worker Ao with her pet called Inari, and various other island residents.

Torishirojima operates according to its peculiar customs, including the hunt for people without shirts, where those caught without proper attire in public places are chased by self-appointed local enforcement services. Hairi gradually becomes entangled in the lives of the island’s inhabitants and the mysteries they harbor. He slowly discovers that Torishirojima holds more than just his grandmother’s belongings – it contains secrets, connections, and perhaps the healing he unconsciously seeks for his wounded heart.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – a deeply nostalgic start. From the very first shot with seagulls and the sea, it takes you back to the 2000s. Right from the beginning, you can feel that this is an adaptation of a good visual novel. The atmosphere of this type of story is simply impossible to replicate, and studio feel has perfectly translated the source material into an anime adaptation. Wonderful beginning, excellent visuals, great soundtrack, and the mentioned atmosphere that transports the viewer back two decades (which for me is a huge advantage). This is definitely one of the titles whose episodes I’ll be looking forward to the most.

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Zatsu Tabi – That’s Journey

Suzugamori Chika, an eighteen-year-old aspiring manga artist, finds herself in a creative slump. After her editor Yoshimoto rejects three of her projects, she returns home dejected, wondering if her earlier success was just a fluke. In a moment of impulse, Chika posts a poll on social media asking which direction she should travel. When the poll unexpectedly receives thousands of votes, Chika decides to honor the results and embarks on a spontaneous journey north to Aizuwakamatsu in Fukushima Prefecture.

The next day, she boards a shinkansen and after transferring to a local railway line, eventually arrives at Higashiyama onsen. Without a prior reservation, she manages to secure a room at one of the ryoukans, where she immerses herself in hot water and contemplates her future. After spending the night at the ryoukan, she visits Mount Haguro shrine, where she takes up the challenge of climbing 1,225 stone steps, experiencing a roller coaster of emotions during the climb – from excitement to frustration, almost to tears, and finally a sense of fulfillment. Despite being disappointed by the lack of a spectacular view at the summit, she returns with renewed creative inspiration.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – The promotional videos had already suggested to me that I wouldn’t be disappointed. My first impressions were confirmed while watching the premiere episode. I love these types of series. Everything shown in this anime reflects real places in Japan. Some shots mix reality with animation almost too much, as they present very slightly modified photographs of these locations with the character superimposed on them. This is the only thing I can nitpick about, as I would prefer to see these locations drawn from scratch, as was the case in many other series. However, this doesn’t negatively impact the overall experience.

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Shiunji-ke no Kodomotachi

In the wealthy Seijo district of Tokyo’s Setagawa, rumors circulate about a luxurious estate inhabited by seven stunningly beautiful siblings. The Shiunji family appears perfect from the outside – five beautiful sisters and two handsome brothers, all living under one roof as seemingly ideal siblings. Sixteen-year-old Arata, the family heir, struggles with his passive nature around girls and laments his position as one of only two boys in a home dominated by five strong-personality sisters. Despite others’ envy of his living situation, Arata sees nothing positive about it – after all, they’re his siblings, with whom he constantly must clash in his own way.

The sisters are unique in their own ways. Eighteen-year-old Banri is a gentle nursing student, Seiha is a brilliant-minded seventeen-year-old, Ouka is a sixteen-year-old sports star, fifteen-year-old Minami is a tennis champion, and fourteen-year-old Kotono is beloved and spoiled by everyone, but also charming and shy as the youngest of the siblings. Together with their fifteen-year-old brother Shion, they form a close-knit, though sometimes quarrelsome, family circle. However, on Kotono’s fifteenth birthday, their father Kaname reveals a secret that shatters their understanding of family. This announcement, which their deceased mother Chihiro wanted revealed specifically on this day, leaves the siblings in shock.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – the first episode turned out to be even more interesting than I expected. I like the portrayal of the relationships between the Shiunji family siblings. The visuals are also pleasing to the eye. I’m curious to see how the situation develops. Meanwhile, I’m waiting for the next episodes.

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Kakushite! Makina-san!!

In the ordinary hallways of a Japanese high school, robotics enthusiast Akutsu Eita leads a solitary existence as the only member of the Robotics Club. A textbook introvert, he secretly admires his popular classmate, Agatsuma Makina, while realizing they belong to completely different social circles. After an unexplained explosion that shakes the neighborhood, Eita returns home to find Makina waiting at his apartment door. The girl reveals her secret to him – beneath her perfect appearance lies cutting-edge technology. Makina is actually an advanced android, equipped with human-like artificial intelligence and a synthetic body indistinguishable from a real person.

Makina designates the shocked Eita as her first target. Using his robotics knowledge, the boy repairs her damaged components while trying to process the fact that the object of his attraction is actually a robot. Makina explains that she is an ultra-efficient android made with future technology, whose current mission involves blending into everyday student life.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – the series focuses primarily on (quite nicely executed) fanservice. However, I think the main plot about the android girl is still interesting, and I quite enjoyed my time watching the premiere episode. I just hope that the whole thing doesn’t become too repetitive and that the main storyline will be developed to some degree beyond just more scenes where the main character stares at Makina’s breasts.

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Ninja to Koroshiya no Futarigurashi

In an apparently ordinary suburb of a modern Japanese city, rumors circulate about a student who rarely attends classes due to “poor health.” In reality, Koga Konoha is a cold-blooded assassin ranked 210th in a secret assassin hierarchy. Despite her youthful appearance and student status, Konoha carries out her assignments with surgical precision, though her inability to properly cover her tracks at crime scenes prevents her from advancing in the rankings.
Konoha’s carefully maintained solitary lifestyle is disrupted when she meets Kusagakure Satoko, an unfortunate ninja from a hidden village who accidentally became a fugitive after being entangled in her companions’ escape plans. Unlike the agile, combat-ready ninjas of legend, Satoko’s main skills lie in housekeeping and her useless technique – transforming objects into innocent-looking leaves. When Satoko’s former village sends trackers to eliminate her according to their strict procedures for fugitives, Konoha makes a practical proposition. She will protect Satoko from the ninjas, and in return, Satoko will help her with her assassination work, particularly with covering tracks, which has been hindering her “professional” advancement. This mutual arrangement transforms Konoha’s empty apartment into a shared home for two professionals from age-old rival professions.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – even if I hadn’t looked beforehand at which studio was responsible for the adaptation, after just a few moments I would have guessed it was Shaft. Interestingly, the director in this case isn’t Shinbou Akiyuki, though the style and the way the dialogues are executed suggested exactly that. It’s Miyamoto Yukihiro took the helm, who also has considerable experience in this role. As for the visual layer – we’re dealing with Shaft in its best form here. The whole thing looks really beautiful. The animation is fluid, detailed, and very dynamic. I can’t fail to mention the fantastic opening. I’m waiting for more!

mono

The future of the Photography Club is uncertain. After club president Makinohara graduates, Amamiya Satsuki feels lost, having lost the main subject of her photographs and source of inspiration. Her friend, Kiriyama An, reminds her of the promise they made to their senpai to keep the club alive, while suggesting new club activities. Finding purpose, the girls decide to invest in better equipment instead of relying on phones. However, another problem arises – the equipment ordered by Satsuki doesn’t arrive. The girls decide to track down the seller, which leads them to an old candy store in Kofu.
There they meet Akiyama Haruno, a laid-back manga artist who strikingly resembles their former senpai. The girls accidentally discover that the store’s cat Taishou leads a double life – when they attach An’s sports camera to his head, it turns out that the seemingly innocent animal is a fierce territorial warrior.
Impressed by the girls’ enthusiasm for photography, Haruno invites them to help with her new project – a four-panel manga about high school students. Their collaboration leads to a night session at the local science museum, where they capture the transition from sunset to the night panorama of the city. It’s there that Satsuki discovers that photography can bring her joy even without taking pictures of her beloved senpai. Through friendship with Haruno and rediscovering their hometown in Yamanashi Prefecture, Satsuki and An find inspiration and give new meaning to their club’s activities.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – a slice of life series about a photography club? I’m definitely on board. Worth mentioning that the author of the source material is afro, the manga artist responsible for Yuru Camp. It’s not hard to guess – the character design and focus on exploration and fascination with nature make both series have a similarly carefree atmosphere. I’m looking forward to the next episodes.

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Hibi wa Sugiredo Meshi Umashi

Kawai Mako is a shy first-year student who has just started living on her own. Despite her love for cooking and eating, Mako struggles with social anxiety and fears trying new things, preferring to live quietly so as not to cause trouble for others. Although she was sociable in elementary school, she gradually withdrew with age, becoming reluctant to step outside her comfort zone.
When Mako meets her energetic childhood friend, Ogawa Shinon (whom she used to call Oshinko), she is surprised to discover they’ve ended up at the same university. Shinon, along with her friends – Higa Tsutsuji and Furutachi Kurea, is trying to establish a club called the Food Culture Research Club, but needs a fourth member to get approval for their activities. After initial hesitation, Mako finally decides to join following a visit to the family restaurant where Kurea serves her their famous katsudon.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – I was worried that the series would focus primarily on cooking. Fortunately, I was very wrong. This is another great CGDCT anime this season. I’m extremely pleased about this, as the last few seasons had an extreme shortage of these types of series.

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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