Koukyuu no Karasu / 後宮の烏

Deep in the inner palace lives a special consort called Ryuu Jusetsu, who, despite her rank, does not serve the emperor. People who have seen her say she looks like an old woman, while others say she looks like a young girl. Stories tell of her using secret arts and being able to take on any task, from cursing mortals to finding lost things. Koushun, the current emperor, goes to visit her with just such an intention, not knowing that their meeting will become a point of contention that will turn history upside down.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – A truly unusual setting. Historical China wrapped in a fantasy environment. Sensational soundtrack and character design (especially the main character). On the animation and general visuals side, it is acceptable, but without revelation. A lot of the backgrounds are, unfortunately, cheap static CGI renders. The first episode flew by me like 5 minutes. The series definitely stays on my list.. 

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SPY x FAMILY

For the agent known by the nickname “Tasogare,” no assignment will be too risky if it is for the sake of peace. Acting as Westalis’ chief spy, Tasogare works tirelessly to prevent extremists from provoking a war with neighboring Ostania. In her latest mission, she must investigate Ostanian politician Donovan Desmond by infiltrating his son’s school – the prestigious Eden Academy. Here’s where a problem arises – the agent faces the most difficult task of his career: getting married, having a child and creating a semblance of a normal family.

Sezon 2.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – it may not have been the continuation and the series I was looking forward to the most of this season, but the first part that premiered in the spring I liked enough that I did not even think about whether to watch part two. The launch episode was very successful, I look forward to the rest.

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Yama no Susume Next Summit

As a child, Yukimura Aoi loved mountains and loved climbing. However, a playground accident caused Aoi to develop a fear of heights, which prompted her to take an interest in activities she could do quietly at home. Now a shy and shy first-year high school student, Aoi has found so many things consuming her time that she is almost unable to make contact with others, leaving her with virtually no friends. Things only begin to change when she meets an energetic childhood friend called Kuraue Hinata.

Season 2.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – The first 4 episodes are planned as recaps of previous seasons. It is possible that my full review of the series will appear soon. In any case, the essence of the most important events was squeezed out in episode one, and probably the next three episodes will look identical. The previous seasons are quick to watch because they are shorts and then episodes with half the normal running time, so the whole thing can be caught up fairly quickly (I recommend subtitles from Doki for the previous seasons). I look forward to watching more episodes.

I recommend the revised subtitles from Zafkiel.

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Do it Yourself

Yua Serufu is just starting high school. Unfortunately, she didn’t manage to get into the same institution as her childhood friend Suride Miku, but since she is a lightweight, this doesn’t bother her at all, unlike Miku, who takes offense at her. After a few days of commuting to class, her bike breaks down. She is helped by Yasaku Rei, a third-grade student. Serufu excitedly forgets to thank her, so he decides to find her. At school, he learns that she is staying in a wooden shed behind the school building during her free time and goes there. On the spot, he discovers that Rei loves to tinker and create useful things with her own hands. Sefuru decides to join her and help gather five people to make the Do It Yourself-themed club survive.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – I’m not a fan of such artstyle simplified to the extreme, especially when it comes to the characters (the backgrounds look beautiful). But on the other hand, the direction, the characters and the idea of the series seem interesting, so I’ll probably stay with this anime until the end. Plus, we have a lot of interesting names in the cast. Ichinose Kana, Sakura Ayane, Waki Azumi and in the role of the main character basically a new face – Inagaki Konomi, who plays her role of lightheartedness very well.

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Mushikaburi-hime / 虫かぶり姫

Elianna Bernstein has preferred the company of books to that of people since she could read. However, as an aristocrat, she is obliged to find a candidate for a husband. Fortunately for her, Prince Christopher Selkirk Asherald offers a deal: he will take care of her leisure time, and in return Elianna will be his bride in name only.

As the years go by, Elianna learns to open up to others. However, all good things must come to an end. For Elianna, who loves books more than people, ending their pretend relationship shouldn’t be a big deal. But when Christopher approaches another girl, Elianna begins to realize that he is not at all as indifferent to her as she once thought.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – I am not a shoujo romance connoisseur, especially those set in the atmosphere of princes and aristocrats. I was forcing myself a bit to watch the opening episode, at the same time knowing that this could be a worthwhile series. Once I finally decided to watch, the whole thing flew by really fast. A lot of things happened already in the first episode. I’m curious to see how the characters’ further fates will turn out, which is why Mushikaburi-hime is probably staying with me until the end of the season. Well, and Ueda Reina in the lead role. The design of the male characters is typical of shoujo titles. The women, on the other hand, look really nice, and the whole thing looks neat and aesthetically pleasing.

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Fuufu Ijou Koibito Miman. / 夫婦以上、恋人未満。

A third-year high school student, Yakuin Jirou, hoped to partner with Sakurazaka Shiori from the same class in the mandatory “Practice in a Relationship” course. In this course, students must demonstrate that they have the necessary skills to live with a partner of the opposite sex, presenting a certain range of fit to the system that evaluates them.

Bad luck would have it that he accidentally ended up in a class with a person who was his complete opposite, gyaru Watanabe Akari. Akari, on the other hand, was hoping to be paired with her object of sighs – Tenjin Minami. Their spirits weaken further when they learn that Shiori and Minami have been paired together. Therefore, they reluctantly decide to work together to achieve a place in the top ten of the best cooperating couples, which would give them the right to swap partners if both couples agree to do so.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – one of the best starts of the season. I initially assumed that it could be a really enjoyable series, but I did not expect it to be so good. From the visuals, the level of detail and animation – simply first class. It would be really hard to complain about anything. I also like a bit of subtle old-style fanservice. Both main characters are great. I look forward to watching more episodes.

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Bocchi The Rock! / ぼっち・ざ・ろっく！

Gotou Hitori is a high school student who started taking guitar lessons to fulfill her dream of playing in a band. Unfortunately, the girl is so shy that she doesn’t even have a single friend. However, one day she decides to take her guitar to school to get her attention, as it turns out – unsuccessfully. Completely depressed, she returns home, where she is accosted on the way by Ijichi Nijika, a stranger about her age who plays the drums and is looking for a new guitarist for her band.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes –phenomenal direction and presentation of the characters. Great animation, nice character design. A good musical series is being prepared. A lot of comments on the Internet suggest that it’s something similar to K-On, but I don’t see those similarities (except the obvious ones about playing in a band). The main character is the opposite of Yui. Nevertheless-as expected, the title did not disappoint me, and I look forward to the next episodes.

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Renai Flops / 恋愛フロップス

Kashiwagi Asahi leads the typical life of an average high school student – until the day when the predictions of a TV fortune teller come true one after another, culminating in a series of unfortunate events in the process. Destiny, as it were, pulls five beautiful girls into the boy’s path, with whom he lands in the same class.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – Although compared to the manga, the anime adaptation has removed quite a few interesting frames. On the other hand, what happens in the cast deserves a comment, because it is simply great. Takahashi Rie, Itou Miku, Taketatsu Ayana, Fukuyama Jun, Kanemoto Hisako. It is worth watching if only for these names. As for the opening episode – if anyone likes the atmosphere of To Love-Ru, Megami-ryou no Ryoubo-kun, Love Hina or Yuragi-sou no Yuuna-san will certainly not be disappointed.

I recommend the revised subtitles from Zafkiel.

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Urusei Yatsura (2022) / うる星やつら 2022

Moroboshi Ataru has an exceptionally bad luck in his life. When the Earth is threatened by an invasion of alien invaders known as Them, Ataru is chosen to represent humanity in a duel with one of them. This is one of the few situations in his life where he has been lucky, however. The duel will require his speed and agility, which are his only assets. His opponent is Lum, the daughter of the Oni leader.

However, his luck quickly runs out, as Lum confuses Ataru’s promise to marry his girlfriend, Miyake Shinobu, with his desire to marry Lum herself. Using her influence as a foreign princess, she moves in with him. Forced to deal with the consequences, Ataru must maintain his crumbling relationship with Shinobu while appearing to be a good partner to Lum, as the eyes of the whole world are on him.

Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – However, if I’m honest, I was convinced that the David Production studio, along with the entire team of people responsible for this re-adaptation, would not try make it excessively “polite.” Unfortunately, I was wrong. What made the title so popular was almost completely cut out. This does not mean that the whole thing was bad – on the contrary. The animation is sensational, the character designs are heavily inspired by the old school, they have a lot of detail and the shading is just beautiful, the characters are really nicely written.

On top of that, the cast is simply a world champion. Uesaka Sumire as Lum and Hiroshi Kamiya as Ataru have once again proven their talent. But it doesn’t stop there. Names such as Hanazawa Kana, Mizuki Nana, Miyano Mamoru, Hayami, Saori, Uchida Maaya, Sawashiro Miyuki, Inoue Marina, Miyake Kenta and finally Furukawa Toshio (i.e., the actor who played the role of Ataru in the original adaptation – now as his father) and Hirano Fumi (i.e., the actress who lent her voice to Lum in the original adaptation, now as Lum’s mother) still appear. You can see more in the conversation between the two here. Basic Japanese required.

I recommend the much improved subtitles from Zafkiel (and, by the way, the much better video quality).

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