Tokidoki Bosotto Russia-go de Dereru Tonari no Alya-san

Kujou Alisa is a beautiful silver-haired girl with blue eyes and a flawless white skin, half-Russian. Everyone at school treats her like an idol. She has stolen the hearts of many boys, whose love confessions she rejects without hesitation. She is considered unattainable even among most of her peers. One of the few people with whom she maintains a constant and friendly relationship is her deskmate, Kuze Masachika. He is a relatively average guy who spends most of his time watching anime and playing games. Alisa often shares her thoughts with him, complimenting him and even expressing her feelings, but she does so in Russian, convinced that Masachika doesn’t understand her. However, the reality is quite different. Masachika understands Russian, as he learned it in his childhood, but he doesn’t let this show.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – The first episode turned out to be even better than I expected. The animation was superbly executed, which, to put it mildly, surprised me. After all, this season also marks the premiere of Oshi no Ko, which was also animated by Doga Kobo, so it was logical to assume that most of the budget went to that adaptation. Uesaka Sumire in the lead role was flawless as usual. The opening and ending songs were excellent. And, finally, the chemistry between the characters was perfect. What more could you ask for? I eagerly await the next episodes!

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Oshi no Ko Season 2

Sixteen-year-old Hoshino Ai is a talented and beautiful idol adored by her fans. She moves the hearts of large masses. She is the epitome of an innocent young girl possessing a personality that attracts like a magnet. Amemiya Gorou is a doctor at a hospital in the province and a big fan of Ai. So when the pregnant idol shows up at his hospital, he gets quite shocked. Gorou promises her a safe delivery. What he doesn’t know yet is that an encounter with an enigmatic person like Ai will result in his early death.

Season 2

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – In this case, there’s no surprise. Everything I liked about the first season is present here as well. Brilliant direction and voice acting (I didn’t even realize when the 25 minutes had passed), phenomenal visuals, and great character design. The only thing I can criticize is the terrible song used in the opening. I rarely skip openings, but unfortunately, this will be one of those rare cases.

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Gimai Seikatsu

Seventeen-year-old Asamura Yuuta is a talented young man. He lives alone with his father and often works evenings to save money for his future studies. One day, he learns that he will have a stepsister because his father recently met a woman with whom he feels happy, and they will soon move in together. Yuuta shows full understanding, though he’s not quite sure how to approach the topic of having a stepsister. At the introductory meeting, Yuuta meets Ayase Saki and her mother. They exchange a few words and quickly find mutual understanding. They promise to maintain a friendly atmosphere while not interfering too much in each other’s daily lives. However, Saki doesn’t really know what it’s like to live with others under the same roof, especially with close family members. Due to her mother’s work, she rarely saw her. Coming home from school, she often found an empty apartment. Her life changes dramatically, and she gradually begins to realize that Yuuta is no longer just an acquaintance with whom she occasionally exchanges a few words.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – I am quite impressed. Studio Deen did an excellent job visually. The direction was also spot on, perfectly complementing the rest of the production. Nakamura Yuki was phenomenal in the lead role of Saki. The first episode far exceeded my initial (and already high) expectations. Watching the interactions between the characters was a real pleasure. I feel this will be one of the best shows of the season.

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Giji Harem

Nakamura Rin has just started at a new school and wants to join the drama club. While looking for the room where the club members meet, she encounters a boy named Kitahama Eiji, who is a member of the club. He leads her to the meeting place and introduces her to the other members. It turns out that Rin has incredible acting skills, and just a few lines from Romeo and Juliet were enough for the club president to welcome her with open arms.

From that day on, Rin often spends time with Eiji. She learns that he dreams of being popular with girls and creating his own harem. Rin comes up with the idea to help him achieve this dream by using her acting skills to create a harem of loving girls with different character types.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – just as I expected, it seems to be a very nice comedy series. Studio Nomad has once again shown their quality. It’s nice to see that after so many years since I last saw their anime, they’ve managed to create something so good again. Additionally, the skills Hayami Saori showcased in her role as Rin are pure perfection. I also like the visual style and character design. The opening song also resonated with me. The humor is definitely a plus.

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2.5-jigen no Ririsa

Okumura Masamune becomes the only member of his school’s manga club after his senior colleagues graduate. The boy declares his complete dedication to 2D girls and expresses a total lack of interest in their 3D versions from the real world. He starts to miss the shared moments with people who understood his hobby and passion. These memories are interrupted by a knock on the door. Upon opening it, he sees an attractive girl who introduces herself as Amano Ririsa and expresses her desire to join the club. Because of his convictions, Masamune is initially discouraged and plans to do everything to make her change her mind. Unfortunately, all the traps he sets for ‘normies’ fail. Ririsa not only speaks passionately about works appreciated by true otaku but also adores the same character he does. The girl asks him to help her with cosplay. Stunned by the whole situation, Masamune agrees to let her join and offers his help, despite the immense internal struggle with his life doctrine.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – as a manga reader, I have somewhat mixed feelings. On one hand, the dialogues were really well adapted, the first episode had a really good flow, and nothing happened too quickly. Additionally, Maeda Kaori sounded exactly as I imagined the main character’s voice. Absolute perfection. The visual presentation is also very pleasing to the eye. If I didn’t know the source material, I would probably be even more excited. Unfortunately, the visual side was censored a bit too much. I don’t mean visual censorship like God-rays. Many scenes are significantly toned down compared to the manga. After reading 10 volumes, I already know that the overall experience will likely suffer because of this. Nevertheless, knowing the source material, I quite enjoyed the first episode. It’s very enjoyable to hear the emotions of a character you really like, especially when the performance is this good. Naturally, I recommend reading the manga first.

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Monogatari Series: Off & Monster Season

Monogatari Series Off & Monster Season is the twelfth adaptation of the Monogatari light novel series by Studio Shaft. It serves as both a prequel and a sequel to the main events.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – unfortunately, I missed the anime when I was preparing my post. This happened because I had a filter set for TV series, while this Monogatari season premiered as an ONA. As soon as I saw that something from this universe was premiering, I immediately added it to my watchlist. Getting back to the topic – I dare say this was the best Monogatari episode since the premiere of the Second Season. It featured almost everything I love about this franchise. Additionally, the animation and level of detail are incredibly impressive. I only hope that the quality of the first episode will be maintained until the very end.

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Shoushimin Series

Kobato Jougorou and Osanai Yuki both got into their dream high school. Although they aren’t a couple and aren’t dependent on each other, they share a peculiar relationship. They decide to debut at their new school as modest, unremarkable students. Unfortunately, they have trouble with this from day one. They constantly find themselves facing strange mysteries that only they can solve. Despite not wanting to stand out, Jougorou somehow always ends up in situations that force him to solve these mysteries.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – an adaptation of a light novel by an author whose previous work was quite successful. I’m talking, of course, about Kyoto Animation’s adaptation of the light novel called Hyouka. The dynamic between the characters is quite similar, which is a big plus for me. Unfortunately, visually, Studio Lapin Track hasn’t come even close to what Kyoto Animation presented. They use a very strange animation technique. Some shots look really nice, while others appear artificial, like rotoscoped 3D animation. This is noticeable in many close-ups when characters’ faces move, as well as in shots capturing whole characters in motion. You can see this even in some of the screenshots below. The same goes for the backgrounds. Some are beautifully hand-drawn, while others are cheap, static 3D renders. However, the anime redeems itself with its direction and characterization. I really like the relationship between the main characters and how they spend time together. I’ll probably stick with this series until the end.

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Na Nare Hana Nare

Misora Kanata starts Takanosaki High School and plans to join the cheerleading club. At her previous school, she and her friends won the national championships, but after an unfortunate incident at a competition, she is now afraid of heights and jumps. In her first days at the new school, she quickly finds girls with whom she becomes friends. Together with Suzuha, Shion, Anna, Nodoka, and Megumi, they form the cheerleading group PoMPoMs.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – the characters seem pretty likeable. Unfortunately, the visual presentation didn’t impress me. I’m not talking about the color scheme chosen by the creators or the color changing edge lines depending on the scene. That aspect looks quite unique and fits well with the overall style. My eyes started to hurt in the first scene, which was done in 3D. Specifically, the cheerleading performance. It looked hideous, unnatural, and quite robotic (as you can even see in the static screenshots section). I’m worried that in future episodes, the frequency of these scenes will be much higher due to the series’ theme. All other scenes looked really good, but even brief glimpses of their performances were very jarring. The contrast between these scenes and the rest, which had very good animation, was just enormous. The direction is a bit over the top for my taste. It usually happens only in the first episode of P.A. Works anime. The whole series intrigued me enough that I’m looking forward to say with these characters until the very end.

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Mayonaka Punch

Masaki was a popular NewTuber from the channel Harikiri Sisters. After internal disputes with her co-creators, including a live-streamed incident where she slapped one of them, she finds herself unsure of what to do next. She tries to create a new solo channel, but the pervasive hate in the comments nearly drives her to depression. At the same time, after twelve years of slumber, the vampire Live awakens, torn from a delightful dream featuring Masaki and her unique blood. Her caretaker, Ichiko, shows her some information on a smartphone. Out of the corner of her eye, Live notices a video featuring a girl strikingly similar to the one from her dream. She decides to find her at all costs.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – an interesting start. The characters and the series’ theme are intriguing. The visual presentation also deserves praise, as everything looked really nice. The voice actresses are truly commendable. Hasegawa Ikumi sounded exceptional as Masaki. The opening song was very good. I am curious to see how the story will unfold..

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Koi wa Futago de Warikirenai

The Jinguuji sisters, Rumi and Naori, have been friends with a boy their age named Shirosaki Jun since they were little. Since he is their neighbor, they see each other every day and spend their free time together. Over the years, both sisters developed deeper feelings for their friend. Aware of their emotions, Rumi and Naori hesitated to deepen their relationship with Jun, not wanting to hurt each other. Years pass, and finally, Rumi decides to tell Jun how she feels about him. To her surprise, Jun reciprocates her feelings and agrees to a relationship. Her euphoria, however, is balanced by the bitterness of guilt that grows with each passing day.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – the direction is top-notch. The introduction to the entire story is well-presented, skillfully showing the sequence of events. It momentarily deviates from chronological order. The acting is excellent. I also liked the visuals, which I was curious about since the manga adaptation is handled by a new studio – ROLL2. The song used in the opening will definitely make it onto my playlists.

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Atri – My Dear Moments

In the near future, rising sea levels have submerged most of the land and human habitats. Ikaruga Natsuki lost his family and his leg a few years ago. He decides to find his old home in a small seaside town, which is now mostly underwater. All he has left is a small ship and a submarine inherited from his grandmother, a renowned oceanologist.

His hope for a normal life is spurred by a somewhat suspicious debt collector, Catherine. Natsuki’s task is to repair the submarine and prepare it for a journey to the ocean floor to retrieve valuable items left behind by his recently deceased grandmother. The day comes when he decides to carry out the plan. However, at the bottom of the sea, he finds something completely unexpected—a humanoid advanced robot named Atri in the form of a young girl. She differs from all the robots Natsuki and his friends have seen so far because her brain operates very similarly to a human’s, and she is also equipped with other human traits.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – my concerns about the adaptation by Studio TROYCA have been allayed. Although I noticed a few scenes realized in 3D (those underwater), they didn’t noticeably detract from the overall visual experience. Everything else looked great. The pacing was really good, and I’m starting to hope this will be a good adaptation. Additionally, it strongly felt like a visual novel, which is always a plus for me. And the atmosphere of a small seaside town has always been something I loved in anime.

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Make Heroine ga Oosugiru!

Nukumizu Kazuhiko is an observer by nature, considering himself a background character. He often watches situations people find themselves in and wonders what he would do if he were in similar scenarios. One day, while having a meal in a restaurant, he notices his classmate Yanami Anna with her childhood friend. He realizes he is witnessing her feelings being rejected in favor of another girl. After the incident, Anna notices she was being watched and decides to vent to her classmate while ordering a lot of food on his tab. The next day, she promises to repay him for all the expenses by preparing daily bento for him. From that moment on, Kazuhiko starts encountering other rejected girls, whom he dubs loser heroines.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – I could hardly believe what I was seeing. Studio A-1 Pictures spared no expense and fully utilized the skills of those responsible for the visual aspects. Everything looked incredibly good, including the animation itself. I really liked the animation style – very expressive and creative. Once a standard, it’s something you don’t see too often nowadays. Combined with brilliant voice acting, it left a powerful impression on me. The characters are also very likable. It was also nice to see the ending done in a similar style to some endings like Da Capo (ぴったんこ☆), Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou (夢の中へ), or Monogatari. These feature interspersed shots of the real world with the characters inserted into some scenes, creating a very nostalgic effect. I eagerly await the next episodes.

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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