July brings yet another new batch of anime. Here are the initial thoughts on the premier episodes of the titles that attracted my attention.
Detectives These Days are Crazy
Nagumo Keiichiro was a famous detective in his youth but has lost his touch as he ages. Tha is until he is forced to hire a perculair high scholl girl named Mashiro-chan. Mashiro wants to be a great detective herself and has traind hard to aquie various skill she belives will benefit her future career. Will this nw blood put some spark in Keichiro's life and work?
I am a fan of gag manga and this one is quite strange but nothing too out of the ordinary. Its an aburdist comedy that could be likended to...what would happen is Conan grew up (again) and started to be a terrible detective. Mashiro is perhaps the most interesting character so far but i do look forward to moe weird tales of stupidity from this show.
The series is being simulcast on Crunchyroll.
Nyaight of the Living Cat
One cat developed a mutation that would allow it to turn anyone who it touched into a cat as well as spread the ability to other cats...patient zero in the nyandemic. Now, humans have a much different reality in which they either do everything they can to avoid the worlds more prolific hunter or join their ranks.
This is a weird half serious entirely ridiculous post apocalyptic anime directed by the legendary Takashi Miike. I don't know if this is a story that can really carry its self through an entire season of episodes instead of an hour OAV or something...but we're about to find out either way.
The series is being simulcast on Crunchyroll.
With You and the Rain
On a rainy day an unnamed woman finds an abandoned...dog? It particularly agreeable aura leads her to bringing it home. Unsure if it really is a dog she goes with it and decides to let it live with her. Lucky for her it understands Japanese and can write to communicate ideas with her.
Its clearly a tanuki...but so far the world of the story is presented to us as if no one knows of the existence of tanuki. This may be one of the cutest iyashikei I have ever seen and I can't wait to see more of it!!
The series is being simulcast on Crunchyroll.
Hotel Inhumans
In the underground there is a hotel that specializes in assissting those who murder for their profession. The hotel provides all of the tools nessicary to assist their cliantel in their complicated wark environment. The first episode is a boy turned killer by the gang holding his sister hostage. Just as he is on the cusp of buying her freedom, the new head of the gang decides hes no longer needed. In a last ditch effort he arrives at the hotel, seeking their support in finding his sister.
So there is this great drama series called Death Parade about a limbo where the recently dead are judged based upon their deeds while alive. The limbo is an upscale coctail launge where the staff assist the dead in reaching their judgement. Hotel Inhumans felt similar to that fantsastic show, but instead of the recently dead its those that live shadow murderous lives gthat happen to be stuck it problematic situations. This show is no where near as compelling as the older one and there is just too high of a moe level to make it any better. I may give this one another two episodes before passing final judgement though....but its not looking good.
The series is being simulcast on Crunchyroll.
Watari-kun's *** is About to Collapse
Watari is a high school student who only cares about his 10 year old sister, especially after their parents died two years earlier. They are lucky enough to stay with a woman in her late 20's and live a relatively serene existence. That is until a girl from his past returns and turns his life upside down.
This is mash up of the old neighbor girl that you were close with returning and a dark secret story smashed into one. Not sure what to make of this. Watari absolutely dislikes the girl from his past, since the day she disappeared from his life she destroyed his families ample garden. Now the girl has returned and refuses to tell him why shes obsessed with him or what was up with the garden murder and her disappearance. Le sigh...we will give this one a few episodes but so far its not very engaging. It seems like the only reason you would want to continue this story is to find out the secret shes hiding. the characters are not very interesting and did I forget to mention there's a love triangle already established?
The series is being simulcast on Crunchyroll.
Rent a Girlfriend season 4
We dive right back into the story as Kazuya tries to get back into routine with the start of the new semester. The emotional damage and stress of making the movie for Chizuru's grandmother took a huge toll on both of them...especially after her grandmothers death. Ruka wants more attention from him after all the leeway she gave over the summer. He doesn't know how he will let her down easily while he has his eyes only on the girl hes not sure he can get.
Well, we are back here again. Interesting start to the fourth season with Kazuya masturbating. They did a half way decent job of refreshing that audience with a bunch of the main characters and the most recent/relevant plot points as we move into the continuing waltz of Kazuya being a weak bitch. At this point I'm in it until the end, but I'm not happy about it.
The series is being simulcast on Crunchyroll.
Dan Da Dan season 2
We pick up right were we left off in season 1 as Momo is about to have a bad time at the hot spring. Things get worse when relatives of the people attacking her are giving Jiji and Okarun the 3rd degree. All in the name of the giant serpent god.
Welcome back Dan Da Dan...but I do miss the Creepy Buts opening from season 1. Science Saru still comes with the high intensity animation and directing. Let's goooooo!!!!
The series is being simulcast on Crunchyroll.
Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus
Sakuta is in college now, same as Mai, but he still doesn't get to spend a lot of time with her. The campus keeps an eye on him as their relationship is well known. Even if he can't see the most beautiful woman on Earth as much as he wants, he's gathering more people around him. But even though they are young adults, they still can't outrun problems brought on by the final throws of puberty.
This is defiantly the series on the top of my anticipation list. The Rascal Doesn't Dream Series has been a favorite since the original series came out and I'm 1 volume off from being up to date with the English releases of the original light novels. I always say this, the story just improves on its self with each successive arc. Can't wait to see how much the second TV show covers.
The series is being simulcast on Crunchyroll.
The Summer Hikaru Died
Yoshiki's best friend Hikaru went missing on the mountain near their small town. When he returned a week later something was different. Months later, after continuing his life as normal, Yoshiki asks Hikaru if he's the real one. Hikaru then admits that his friend is dead and he has inhabited that body, experiencing life as a human for the time being. It retains all of the dead boys memories and experiences but every new thing brings wonder and emotion. The new Hikaru wants nothing more than to be with his best friend Yoshiki...threatening to kill him if that changes. Yoshiki doesn't understand whats going on and fears the thing puppeting his friend but goes along with it, because at least his friend is still there...even if its not the real Hikaru.
This is a highly anticipated adaptation of a well regarded horror manga. I have been picking it up since it launched but have only read the first volume, wanting to wait for the anime to come out instead. The production company has stated they want to enhance the terror in the story compared to what the manga elicited. We shall see...its really hard to make manga or anime scary by any stretch.
The series is being simulcast on Netflix.
City the Animation
Set in an average city in modern Japan we follow the mundane exploits of various semi interconnected characters as they go about their ordinary lives. But these eternally positive individuals are anything but ordinary and the way they approach life can sometimes be a bit...weird.
This is the second anime adaptation of a manga by the genius behind Nichijou. It could take place in the same universe? But we really don't know. All we are doing is sitting down and learning about the weird quirks and mundane adventures of our cast. My soul is ready!!!!!!!! Bring on the normal weird.
The series is being simulcast on Amazon.
My Dress Up Darling season 2
We jump right back into the lives of Marin and Gojo and their awkward relationship. he first episode sets us up for cosplay work that Gojo decides to do for her based on a ridiculous action comedy series where the main characters where bunny-girl suits. The episode ends when the series began, with Gojo in the depths of his self doubt when Marin invites him for a Halloween gathering. Gojo is still petrified by the rejection from his youth for being into dolls and accessories. But this group of peers seem to crack that shell when they don't see any issue with him doing Marin's makeup.
Aside from the obvious sexualization concerns over its 15 year female lead, this is a fantastic and beautiful show about growing up, building confidence and finding yourself. I am very happy for this to return and wonder what the road will look like as our lovable almost couple journey onward.
The series is being simulcast on Crunchyroll.
See You Tomorrow at the Food Court
This is an unformulated show about two girls from different schools that don't fit in. Aside from the obvious appearances saying they shouldn't click, they try to meet up each afternoon at a local mall food court to idly chat.
I enjoyed this first episode significantly more than I expected. The main characters and they banter remind me not only of how I was with my friends as a teenager...but honestly, how we still are. Its a fun and endearing look at two people who are conformable with each others company and don't put on a fake face. I hate to admit it...but I see way to much of my self in Wata,
The series is being simulcast on Crunchyroll.
Bad Girl
First year high school student Yuu has a crush on a third year who helps enforce the schools rules. In order to gain her attention she decides to start acting like a delinquent. Unfortunately she is too much of a unconscious and well behaved person that she's only pretending to be bad...and her definition of delinquency is rather...mundane.
This is a yonkoma comedy that doesn't work hard to hide being yuri bate. I'm not sure if its fun enough to keep watching though...ill give it a few more episodes but so far its not really that compelling.
The series is being simulcast on HiDive
April Showers Bring May Flowers
Hana is failing at making any friends in high school. She is painfully shy and has low self esteem. Her school life becomes...complicated, when the most popular boy in class discovers a secret. Or at least what she thinks is a secret.
This is yet another entry into the long line of ugly duckling becoming the object of affection of the model student. At least this one is goofy but these tend to be pretty painful for how self abusing the main characters are. We shall see how long this one lasts and if it can offer any merits other than the MC being voiced by the beloved Hayami Saori.
The series is not legally streaming anywhere that I am aware of.
The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity
Wataru has always been feared for his features. It has caused him to accept this as his disposition but he just wants to get through life with as little fuss as possible. A chance meeting with a girl at his families cake shop opens up his eyes to a different outlook when she doesn't see anything wrong with his looks or personality.
Yet another black sheep and a princess romance...except this first episode was really good and the characters, especially Rintaro are more compelling than you normally see in this type of story. I am not sure what about it has spoken to me....but I'm actually excited to watch this show, even though I've sene a dozen other titles exactly like it.
The series will be available on Netflix upon completion...sadly.
Solo Camping for Two
Gen finds his one escape from the pressures of life, solo camping, utterly ruined by a surprise companion in the energetic Shizuku. The younger woman forces herself into his life, joining him on his camping adventures, in order to become more adept at camping herself.
Iyashikei normally center around adolescent girls, but this one deals with a middle aged man and presumably a 20-something woman. Not sure if it will have enough innovation in its story telling to elicit any interest though...as Yuru Camp has pretty much set the bar for camping iyashikei.
The series is being simulcast on Crunchyroll.
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