Why is everyone always so presumptuous?
The Klutzy Class Monitor and the Girl with the Short Skirt Ep. 9
Wow, Togo and Poem actually start dating. Okay, okay, I’ll admit I’m wrong. I thought this would be the kind of show that would stick with the status quo for as long as possible. But hey, it’s not entirely gutless after all. I also like how open Togo was about his feelings at the park, which gave Poem the courage to also return her feelings. Maybe those two idiots playing their love game could take some notes. Just… tone it down on the bloom a bit. I can’t see shit with it dominating the scene.
If a confession happens, it’s usually a season finale thing, but recent anime series have flipped this idea on its head. So what now? What are we going to do with the last few episodes?
Also, it turns out Togo’s childhood friend is a girl. Um, okay…? Her character design is so plain, I can’t imagine her being a recurring character.
LIAR GAME Ep. 9
Man, just look at her. Look at her. Nao’s so pitiful. Knowing this, Fukunaga challenges Nao to yet another rigged game, and she immediately agrees. Naturally, she loses for like the umpteenth time. It’s just gratuitous. Y’know how kids learn not to touch the stove after being burned once? Not Nao! You probably have to tear the entire stovetop out of your home to keep her alive.
So of course, Akiyama literally shows up with the light behind him like some kinda savior from the heavens. Except he’s like a former felon or whatever, but it’s a good thing he has a soft spot for Nao. This time, however, we actually have some character development for once. This time, Akiyama actually teaches Nao how to lie and cheat. Under his guidance, she proceeds to not only beat Fukunaga at their own game, but also claw her way back to victory in the Revival Round. Wow. I never thought I’d see the day. Nao’s bad girl arc has finally begun. But before we jump for joy, this is still only happening because Akiyama is here. Nao still can’t survive on her own.
MARRIAGETOXIN Ep. 9
Hmm, I dunno, lady. I think you had some difficulties. Anyway, we meet the Beast King, and he’s a weirdo freak who likes to experiment with people’s blood. Basically, he can combine the powers of various masters. And of course, Hikaru’s blood is very special. That’s the conflict in a nutshell.
By bouncing from one pretty girl to the next, Hikaru never really forms a strong bond with any of them. And similarly, by bouncing from one villain to the next, none of these bad guys have been particularly memorable. It’s a mid ass romcom and a mid ass action anime mashed into one… kinda like the Beast King’s Frankensteinian experiments, I guess. I think the show has mostly been carried by its higher than expected production values. Some of these action scenes have no business looking as good as they do. But beneath the glitz and glam, I dunno, I’m not seeing any substance after nine episodes.
I Want to End This Love Game Ep. 8
This week, I saw the couple in The Klutzy Class Monitor and the Girl with the Short Skirt start dating. I also just finished watching Even a Replica Can Fall in Love‘s extremely downer episode. Basically, I don’t need this show’s bullshit right now. If Yukiya and Miku are just gonna fuck around with their dumb love game, I’m shutting the episode off.
So we meet the student council president, and she’s pretty much in the same exact predicament with her childhood friend. Aight, I’m out. I want to end I Want to End This Love Game.
Even a Replica Can Fall in Love Ep. 9
I hate the knife twist at the end with “Mori.” Sorry, I mean Ryo. Mori is the original’s name. The replica’s actual name is Ryo. Not only has she finally gained a sense of self, she also resolves to return home to where she used to live before her original had fallen into a coma. Then all of a sudden, the original dies, which immediately deletes Ryo onstage in front of the entire student body. I was bored last week, but now I feel like the story is being needlessly cruel. We already know that existence for these replicas are fleeting — that they depend wholly on their originals. Did we also really need this extremely sad and bleak conclusion to Ryo’s story? This doesn’t bode well for the series’ ending, which is looming on the horizon.
Which leads us right into the next big development: at the very end of the episode, Sunao tells Nao that she’ll start going to school everyday. She intends to live her own life and stop using her replica as a crutch. But where does that leave Nao? Well, there are several possibilities. The magical, happy solution is having the two girls exist at once, but how would that work? This ending has major logistical hurdles. You can’t just invent another person out of thin air (even though that’s literally how replicas come into being). The extremely sad and cruel possibility is that Nao simply goes poof like Ryo and we just move on like she never existed. Could the show do the same thing twice? Maybe. So then what’s left? I guess the two girls could merge… but is that really any better? Can we really say Nao gets to “live” on if her memories and experiences become a part of Sunao? I don’t think so, man. I’m not expecting a happy ending.
Always a Catch! Ep. 10
Now that both Maria and Aida’s engagements to their princes are officially recognized, they have to train hard for some well-to-do dance. Y’know, be lady-like and all that. We even see Maria find just the perfect perfume for the occasion. Yeah, I’m not gonna lie — this is pretty vapid.
The creep is also back, and he’s just as shameless as ever. Unfortunately, the show tries to give this sob story about how he was groomed to be the next crown prince. But of course, once Renato and his brother were born, everyone ditched Ireneo. Sure, that sucks, but that doesn’t remotely justify him trying to be grabby with Maria.
Right before the episode ends, Renato tells Maria to stay away from Ireneo. We then see a crazy woman scratch out a picture of the prince with Maria. Lemme guess, Ireneo’s not the real issue. Rather, it’s his mother? Meh.
Gals Can’t Be Kind to Otaku!? Ep. 9
This episode is actually all about the girlies and how they became friends. In other words, the bond between Kei and Kotoko is just as important as the ones they share with Takuya. So maybe romance isn’t the focus. Rather, it’s all about their wholesome friendship or whatever. Sure, but this show’s biggest problem is that it’s just boring. Nothing is memorable about it. Not the characters, not their friendships, not the situations they find themselves in. Take this episode as an example. Everyone thinks Kei is really cool, so they keep inviting her out. Eventually, she agrees to one of Kotoko’s invitations. Just karaoke with the gals! Well, Kotoko is a bit of a people pleaser, so when a bunch of boys asked if they could join as well, she agrees. The more the merrier, they say. But this actually annoys Kei, because she was just expecting to hang out with the girls. She tells Kotoko this directly. Seems fair enough. But this being Japan and all, being honest about your feelings might come across as too “mean” or whatever. Okay, maybe the “I am disappointed in you” part was a little unnecessary. Kei ends up feeling bad about the whole encounter, so she apologizes to Kotoko the next day. And that’s it. That’s how they first met. It’s just… boring. Small problem, small solution, nothing remotely memorable about the whole affair.
Eventually, Kei feels secure enough in their friendship to finally admit that she’s an otaku. Kotoko tells her she has always known. Again, just your bog standard plot development.
Haibara’s Teenage New Game+ Ep. 9
Great, now both Uta and Hikari likes Natsuki, and he likes both of them! Yay, wish fulfillment nonsense! I also love how we didn’t get to see how Hikari’s father reacted to her novel. The whole incident is resolved offscreen. Just goes to show you what’s truly important the grand scheme of things. Hikari being able to go on the vacation and spent time with Natsuki? Very crucial to the plot. Super, duper important. Hikari convincing her father to let up and allow her to live her own life? Eh, whatever. We can skip it.
By the way, who the hell is this girl? Well, she’s insistent on forming a band with Natsuki. I would say I hope this doesn’t turn into a harem, but I’ve already given up on this show. The best thing about it is that I can watch it at 4x speed and not miss a damn thing. That’s actually how I categorize shows nowadays. Shows I care about? Normal speed. Shows I’m only casually watching? 2x speed. Shows that are utter shit? 4x speed.
Petals of Reincarnation Ep. 9
So Einstein’s back, then we get some massive infodump about something called the Seed of Reincarnation. Rather than stopping Nightingale, destroying this thing is supposedly the true goal. But in order to do so, Returners have to die…? Or just go away? Well, in either case, this pisses Haito off, so she runs away. The girls all tell Touya to go after her. They make it seem like he has to confess his love in order to bring her back. I guess there’s a romantic subplot now…? I mean, you could argue that it was always there, especially ever since they made that pinky promise a while back. But like everything else in this show, the romance has been so underdeveloped that it has no real substance to it. But sure, Touya’s speak his heart or whatever. Well, he better do it quick, because… um… Slender Man might do something to Haito? Well, he calls himself Alan Smithee. I don’t recall an actual Alan Smithee in history. Also, there’s a child Albert Einstein hellbent on torturing Einstein? Yeah, this story is all over the place.
The Barbarian’s Bride Ep. 8
The only half-interesting things about this show are the fiends. So what do we get this episode? Veor’s mom tricks Serafina into trying to… seduce Veor? Is this seductive? Normally, I’d say yes, but she also splashes him with water beforehand, so fuck if I know what Veor’s mom is thinking. Anyway, the only reason Serafina is debasing herself like this is in order to put her engagement necklace back on. Yep, that’s it. That’s the whole episode. Yup, this is another 4x speed show.
Scenes from Awajima Ep. 8
As much as I like this show, I wish it wouldn’t do so much timeline hopping. Kinue and Ryouko are adults now? And the latter is getting married? I feel like I just literally saw Kinue perform onstage as a senior. I feel that way ’cause it was only two episodes ago. And just like that, we have a new generation at Awajima. They’re huge Kinue fans, too. Megafans, even. Hopefully, their time at Awajima will be a little less tumultuous than it was for the countless generations that came before them.
First girl didn’t really have much of a story. She’s just full of energy and makes friends easily. Hopefully, Awajima doesn’t ruin that part of her.
Second girl… I wasn’t sure exactly what was going on with her. She had a former classmate she liked, but said classmate hated her? She had a male friend who was actually dating the classmate she liked, but he shared his account with her? Something something complicated relationships? I dunno, man… as insensitive as this might sound, I just think the reality is that none of this really matters.
Third and final girl stands up to some bullies. Cool. It’s weird how people will always assume the worst in others, though. The bullies were being bullies simply because they assumed their victim was bragging. What causes this behavior? Is it really as simple as jealousy?
Killed again, Mr. Detective. Ep. 9
So you’re telling me an orca bit the photographer to death, flung his upper torso up this cliff — all the way up — and with enough force to impale him against the spikes on the side of the mansion? This show is so dumb.
Then some rich kid dies, Char arrives in a fucking submarine, orders Sakuya to solve this new mystery in roughly ten hours, or the entire island gets blown up. This show is so, so dumb.
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten S2 Ep. 9
More drama with Itsuki’s stubborn old man. Even Amane’s parents have to gang up on him. In the latter half of the episode, Itsuki even opens up about why his father refuses to accept Chitose. It’s not the most exciting subplot, but I’m just happy for the show to discuss anything other than Amane and Mahiru. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take up the whole episode, so we’re right back to cloying bullshit right on schedule.
Speaking of which, he still has this bizarre complex about his girlfriend. Even now, Amane refuses to acknowledge the possibility that his girlfriend — like any teen girl — might harbor less than pure thoughts about her partner.
Snowball Earth Ep. 9
Despite being outnumbered, Ao defeats the other kiddos pretty handily. But of course, Sagami shows up and kicks her ass. I don’t even know how. He and his kaiju can read her moves? I dunno, feels like the story is forcing her to become a damsel-in-distress. C’mon, she was so badass earlier. Why is Land of Men being skewered like a kabob all of a sudden? Naturally, Tetsuo soon shows up with both a freshly repaired Yukio and a new set of determination. Sure, it’s character development. I’m also slightly amused by the mall inhabitants hopping onto their bikes in order to generate enough energy to 3D print new parts for Yukio. But other than that, meh.
The Drops of God Ep. 8
Finally, we move onto identifying the second apostle, and how has Issei been training for it? By abstaining from drinking any wine over the past few weeks. Only by truly thirsting for wine can we unravel the mystery behind the second apostle, which apparently has something to do with the Mona Lisa. What is this, some no-fap bullshit strategy but for wine? He even ends up marching in a desert alongside camels. Eventually, bandits attack, which drives Issei deeper into the desert away from his personal effects. There’s no way the creator behind this show was just drunk on wine. They had to be high on something shrooms as well. C’mon, you can tell me. The problem, however, is that I’m not following the logic. To unravel the riddle of the Mona Lisa, I have to not drink wine, not eat, and also visit Northern China…? I’m sorry, but what?
Meanwhile, Shizuku and Miyabi have to solve the mystery behind a black label wine. It even comes with a death threat! If wine was truly this exciting in real life, it might actually justify the hefty price tag.
By the way, Miyabi looks disappointed when Shizuku corrects strangers on her being his girlfriend. Well, she’s going to keep being disappointed, because I bet he’s one of those dense protagonists who can’t focus on more than one thing at a time. And right now, it’s all about wine, baby!
Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring Ep. 10
We finally learn more about the bad guys, and they’re led by some psycho woman who wants Autumn to become her daughter. Also, she wants to change the rotten world but in an extremist sort of way. Nothing too wild here. Pretty standard villain tropes.
Meanwhile, the Agents and their Guards finally meet up to collaborate on this rescue, but guess who isn’t there? That’s right, Winter. It’s the tenth fucking episode, and Rosei and Hinagiku still haven’t met. All he ever does is ask other people how she’s doing. What a shitty love story. I’m not an NTR guy. I personally don’t understand the appeal. But it would be only fitting if Hinagiku moved on and fell in love with someone else. Too bad it won’t happen. The people who write these stories romanticize the fuck out of two lovers being apart then meeting again by pure chance years down the line. Like it proves that their love is true or whatever. How does that Tanabata story go again? Personally, I hate it. If I could, I’d dump a bunch of sugar on your average mono no aware romance. Then again, if I make it too sweet, I just end up with bullshit like The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten.
The strongest job is apparently not a hero or a sage, but an appraiser (provisional)! Ep. 10
Hibiki finds out his skills don’t work too well inside of a dungeon. Okay. Emalia finds out Ivel is up to no good, but even worse, they’re not even friends. Ah well. At least Emalia is still in this story? I still have no clue what her little side quest has to do with the main story. Oh yeah, the subtitles spell Ivel’s name with two L’s. Why? It’s no longer an anagram like that. Anyway, boring show is boring as usual.
Scum of the Brave Ep. 20
So Joe, Sara and Indo can just waltz right into enemy territory and save Yashiro simply because the latter had location sharing enabled? Seriously? Half Dragon didn’t even bother to take his phone away? More like Half Assed. The rest of the episode is pretty standard. Fight the bad guys, rescue Jougamine even though he doesn’t want to, comment on the girls’ growth (except Jougamine for obvious reasons), then fight more bad guys. I guess the Coffin Count of Storms is the ultimate big bad, but she’s been onscreen for a grand total of maybe 1% of the show’s running length. Just not an interesting villain. Neither is the other villainous girl — the one who killed Yashiro’s friend.
Akane-banashi Ep. 9
The show makes a really big deal about how Hikaru is an amazing voice actress with an amazing voice. So outta curiosity, I looked up Hikaru’s actual voice actress and it’s Rie Takahashi. Hm, yeah, I guess she’s had a pretty damn prolific career. No comment on the beautiful voice part. I don’t really know what makes a voice beautiful. No woman has ever captivated me with just her voice alone. Then I looked into Akane’s voice actress, and holy moly, she’s super young. She debuted back when she was just 16? Geez. Anyway… I guess I should talk about the actual episode.
I thought Hikaru’s performance and backstory would take up the whole episode like the ugly haircut guy, but no. The episode reserves a bit of time for Akane to get on stage. Even so, we find out what makes Hikaru tick. I guess she has a pretty face — all female anime characters are essentially the same in terms of attractiveness so it’s all meaningless to me — so her peers don’t take her seriously. They think she just gets lead roles because of her looks. So she’s basically trying to prove herself through rakugo. Not the most compelling story, but assuming that the old man isn’t biased, he seems legitimately impressed with Hikaru’s heartfelt performance. Hey, I don’t know what Issho is actually like. He could be a creep for all I know!
As for Akane, she’s significantly more subdued than she was in the first round, but apparently, this is her reading the room. After ugly haircut guy’s energetic performance and Hikaru’s emotionally charged acting, a chill, relaxing rakugo is just what the audience needs? I guess it makes sense. When I just get done beating an intense game (e.g. Elden Ring or whatever), I usually follow it up with some chill life sim game (e.g. Rune Factory). But Akane has to impress Issho, right? Does he need a relaxing, chill performance like the audience? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Ghost Concert – missing Songs Ep. 9
Well, this episode is almost coherent. After all, it’s all about defeating Nero and saving Seria. For once, we’re not constantly jumping around from one person’s perspective to the next. The problem, however, is that I still don’t really understand what’s going on. Like what was Nero even doing for the past couple of episodes? And what was he even trying to achieve?
Manpei then has to save himself to stop Nero. Afterwards, Akari is all sad and stuff, but I have to confess I have no idea why. Didn’t she just meet this guy? Yeah, I dunno, every new episode is a headscratcher. I really should throw in the towel on this show. I’m not sure why I’m being stubborn about this.
Mission: Yozakura Family S2 Ep. 8
Back to silly, light-hearted episodes? But we just had one last week. Well, the first 60% of the episode is all about Ai trying to be useful to the family and thus lift their spirits. Even when adults try to hide it, kids can tell if the vibes are off even slightly. As a result, she begs Taiyo to let her go on an errand to buy some pork cutlets on her own. He agrees, but the two wannabe parents tail her anyway. I mean, I wouldn’t let a little kid walk the streets on their own in the first place. Have you seen all the scary, child abduction videos lately? A new one pops up every week or so! Then again, Ai could probably beat any average adult up, so she’s probably fine in that regard. Anyway, the store runs out of pork somehow, so she literally goes into the forest to hunt a giant pig. Would a pork cutlet this big even be tasty? Plus, there’s no way you can cook it evenly…
In the other 40% of the episode, Mutsumi puts on some weight… like what? Five pounds? Ten at most? Pfft, I’m not even gonna cover it.
Wistoria: Wand and Sword S2 Ep. 8
Three primary developments:
- Imagine deliberately choosing to be unkind because your first love — a woman who was way too old for you — decided to get married. Fucking incel behavior. Not really a development, but it gives me another reason to keep disliking Julius.
- A beautiful witch comes to Will’s aid at Elfie’s behest. Nevertheless, Will feels as though he has known her for a long time. Shrug.
- Kreutz wants Will’s body and he wants it bad.
