Reviews – Battle of the School Clubs – March 7, 2023

Posted on March 8, 2023 by Michael Eh?

Tsurune Ippon Again!

We put to school club animes head to head in our double review.  Boys versus girls. Archery versus Judo. BUT which one comes out on top?

Tsurune

Minato Narumiya played Japanese archery in middle school, but after a certain incident, he ran away from the sport. In high school, Minato meets new friends, and together as part of their school’s archery club they aim to win the prefectural tournament.

We watched the first episode of the first season for this review.  So what did myself and Mr. G think of Tsurune?

As school dramas go, this one is pretty good. We missed reviewing this before the pandemic but the second season gave us a reason to watch his for first time. At least, the characters feel believable in this series. It’s pretty good.

… Michael Eh?

Not a bad looking show, animation level is good, and the characters have a more grounded look to them. Backgrounds are bright and populated with background people. Light use of 3d modeling for some dynamic camera movements. The last boys’ competitive sports anime I watched was Owamushi Pedal, and while I love cycling, the chuunibyo bullshit wore out it’s welcome by the end of season 2. This looks to be both more serious and chill at the same time. Interesting first episode with our protagonist being a reluctant participant.

… Mr. G

Mon Ippon!

After performing in their final middle school judo tournament, Michi and Sanae begin high school and walk in on Michi’s final opponent fighting to save their new high school’s judo club.

Being both a ‘save the club’ and ‘quitter giving it one more try’ plotline, this two for one combo really delivers a one two punch. So what did we think of Mon Ippon?

Haven’t seen a show on juijitsu before. Nice slice of life with competitive sport thrown in. The matches are well done, and fun to watch. The art style isn’t the current prevailing standard, but does a good job straddling the line of being cute and relatively modest, with more realistic hair styles/colors, and body types. First episode has a banger of a climax.

… Mr. G

Compared to similar shows on the same theme, this is not a winner but in it’s own way, it has a definite charm of it’s own. The tug of war over who would get Michi as club member. That sold me onto the series. Give it a watch.

… Michael Eh?

All in all. I say the Tsurune and Mon Ippon! are both winners in their own right.  Give both a shot.

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Meeting – February 28 2023 – Sugar Apple Fairy Tale

Posted on February 28, 2023 by Michael Eh?

Sugar Apple Fairy TaleOur second review under the theme of ODD COUPLES was a bitter sweet tale.  Once more the Beauty is an orphan girl.  Once more the Beast is an oppressed race. In this case, fairies.  Once humans found they could just easily enslave them it was game over.

In the Kingdom of Highland, a country where fairies are slaves of the humans, Ann Halford, a Candy Craftswoman, decides to purchase one in order to arrive the once-yearly Candy Fair to achieve the title of Silver Sugar Master.

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
Demographic/Démographique: Shoujo

What did our group think of this love-hate relationship in Sugar Apple Fairy Tale?

The premise of a “benevolent” slave owner has been done before, so this is not exactly new. The twist that she only needs him for a short time and then will free him is also fairly cliched. That having been said, this premise is executed fairly well, so it is worth a watch if you are okay with the slavery angle. There is some fun to be had with the characters and how they interact, particularly the “childhood friend” who serves as comic relief.

… Braden

Somewhat classic style fantasy romance, using fae and human relations to stand in for race relations and slavery. Upheld for their beauty, enslaved for human interests. Treated as servants and things, rather than as people. A world where crystalline sugar is used to make high art. A young woman must travel to attend a contest to become a master artisan, saves the life of a worker fairy from a man going overboard, and needing protection, purchases a (tsundere) warrior fairy to escort her, promising him his freedom in exchange. Characters are done with the cg being more noticeable than usual. Colors and backgrounds are quite good, animation is of a decent level.

… Mr. G

Surprising good first episode. The play of the two main characters together leaves a sweet taste in spite of bitter attitude of warrior fairy Shall Fen Shall. This show is now on my watch list.

… Michael Eh?

Check out the new shows of the Winter 2023 season!

Anime Shows - Winter 2023

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Meeting – February 28 2023 – The Tale of the Outcasts

Posted on February 28, 2023 by Michael Eh?

Nokemono-tachi no Yoru (The Tale of the Outcasts)This meeting’s theme was ODD COUPLES and odd it was. Both female leads were orphans paired with a fantasy character much in the way Beauty and the Beast fairy tale.  The difference is the beast in these two shows weren’t as much a beast.

Wisteria is an orphan girl living in a corner of the British Empire at the end of the 19th century. Her life is desolate and bleak–until she encounters Malbus, a powerful but equally lonely immortal being with a furry appearance, hounded by hunters. Together, Wisteria and Malbus roam the Empire–populated by humans and human-like beasts–in search of a place where they can live together in peace.

So what did our usual reviewers think of The Tale of the Outcasts or Nokemono-tachi no Yoru?

As for ‘Beauty and the Beast’ themed shows, the beast is more beautiful. It’s an okay first episode. Nothing stellar about anything but a good series all the same. In many ways, humans are more depraved than the demons that are among them. For furry fandom, this is pretty well the show to watch this season.

… Michael Eh?

This show set up a very warm relationship between an orphan girl and her would be adoptive father figure, with the twist that he is a demon with some form of a soul. All in all, a very interesting premise to start with.

… Braden

Really drives home what it’s like being poor and an orphan in a capitalist society. The church father is a proper scumbag POS. Our demon is an educated, long lived individual, curious about the poor waif that can see him. Why does he keep coming to see her? Loneliness, maybe? boredom? But it seems this demon is not one without a heart. a pact is made; a journey begins.

… Mr. G

Check out the new shows of the Winter 2023 season!

Anime Shows - Winter 2023

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Meeting – February 21, 2023 – Giant Beasts of Ars

Posted on February 21, 2023 by Michael Eh?

Ars no Kyojuu (Giant Beasts of Ars)The second show we watched for our worlds beyond was Giant Beasts of Ars or Ars no Kyojuu.  This show is more like the Japanese RPGs in cast and storyline.

The great beasts created the land, but humans stole it. Angered, the beasts began eating humans, who in turn called upon the gods to fight the beasts. In the age of the sword, heroes and mythology, giant beasts are hunted by humans for profit. Jiro, who makes his living hunting beasts, encounters Kumi, who is being chased by someone, and in that moment decides to save her. As rumors spread regarding humanity and a mysterious experiment, together they seek to discover the world’s secrets.

Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Demographic/Démographique: Seinen

With this show, it was more traditional animation but did Ars no Kyojuu impress our group?

The art is a bit plain, but the animation is at least decent. Backgrounds aren’t bad, and the budget is high enough to have extras moving in them. Honestly, the exposition is just bouncing off completely. Show is a bizarre combination of medieval, lost technology, magic, and early renaissance. Gets more interesting in the second half. Music is mostly forgettable aside from the last scene, and maybe the closer.

… Mr. G

An interesting mix of fantasy and technology. A really odd catgirl. Really REALLY odd cat (and) girl. Mysterious girl aka weapon and dead beat hero who is dead to feelings. Of course, your mix bag of giant monsters to fight. A pretty interesting mixture and an opening episode which gives you enough to chew on but wanting more at the end. A fairly good series, looking forward to following this on.

… Michael Eh?

This show set up a very interesting premise, leaving just enough unanswered to draw you in wanting to see where it goes. there was some fun action scenes, some interesting character moments, and some mystery all on display. All in all, its an interesting show.

… Braden

Check out the new shows of the Winter 2023 season!

Anime Shows - Winter 2023

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Meeting – February 21 2023 – Kaina of the Great Snow Sea

Posted on February 21, 2023 by Michael Eh?

Ooyuki Umi no Kaina (Kaina of the Great Snow Sea)The night’s theme was worlds beyond.  So we watched two series where the world building was exceptional. We didn’t have time for Hikari no Ou also known as The Fire Hunter but with a month left to this season, we might have time to visit it later.

A world blanketed in an endless and ever-growing ocean of snow. The people eke out a living, either huddled around the roots of enormous trees dotting the surface, or high in the canopy, which spreads over the planet’s atmosphere. A chance meeting between Kaina, a youth from the canopy, and Liliha, a young woman from the surface, sets off a chain of events that will change the fate of the world

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Science Fiction

So what did our small group think of Kaina of the Great Snow Sea?

A very interesting imagining of a future earth where most technology is gone, and even the old writings are nearly forgotten. A network of supermassive trees holding up a windowed canopy over the planet. A planetary ocean covered by a snow sea. Some wonderfully imaginative world building here. Character animation has a noticeable 3d graphics look to it up close. Kinda reminds me of Made in Abyss, but less horrifyingly gruesome, and more thought provoking.

… Mr. G

This show started off with some amazingly stunning visuals and interesting designs. It hints at an interesting post-apocalyptic world which is very different from our own. There is a strange duality, with there being a “sky world” versus a “ground world” that are shown to be different in nature. The adventure elements definitely make this an interesting watch.

… Braden

Great world building in this sci-fi fantasy. The 3D wasn’t as noticeable because of the great characters and settings. I’m following this one. It holds great promise.

… Michael Eh?

Check out the new shows of the Winter 2023 season!

Anime Shows - Winter 2023

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Meeting – February 14th 2023 – Don’t Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro

Posted on February 15, 2023 by Michael Eh?

Ijiranaide, Nagatoro-san (Don't Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro)The third and last RomCom we reviewed was Don’t Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro -or- Ijiranaide, Nagatoro-san. Being this is the second season now airing we went back to the very first episode of the first season, when we couldn’t meet due to COVID.

Nagatoro is a freshman in high school who loves teasing and torturing her older male classmate (Senpai). What is her motivation and why does Senpai put up with her? Does Nagatoro just want to create misery for Senpai? Or maybe she secretly likes him?

Genre: Comedy, Ecchi, Psychological, Romance, School Life
Demographic/Démographique: Shounen

As oppose to the two other RomCom shows we watched.  This series is Shounen (written for teenage boys) as oppose to Josei and Seinen which targets an older demographic.  Did this change our views on RomCom animes by watching Don’t Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro? You bet.

Forget Teasing Master. Enter in Psycho B! grade bullying. Nothing more destructive than a kid. Cruel yet is this suppose to be entertaining. Awkward at best. This got a second season…

… Michael Eh?

Yet another show where a rambunctious girl teases a shy guy. This one has a good pacing, due to how how energetic Nagatoro gets when teasing him. All in all, it makes for some fun and energetic comedy.

… Braden

Really good sound editing, art and animation isn’t bad. Eyes are very well done and expressive. Honestly not sure how to address the content of the episode. The young man is clearly out of his element with social interaction, and if the plot of the show is the girl teaching him to come out of his shell and be assertive, it’s a Hell of a questionable way to do it.

… Mr. G

Check out the new shows of the Winter 2023 season!

Anime Shows - Winter 2023

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Meeting – February 14th 2023 – Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible

Posted on February 15, 2023 by Michael Eh?

Kubo-san wa Mobu wo Yurusanai (Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible)Our second RomCom we watched was Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible -or- Kubo-san wa Mobu wo Yurusanai.

Shiraishi Junta is a plain boy who is two hairs short from being invisible to his classmates and peers; in other words a “mob” character. Cue Kubo Nagisa, his beautiful next-seat neighbor who always notices him and playfully experiments on him to gauge just how “invisible” he really is… and then she declares herself his “heroine”!!!

Genre: Comedy, Romance, School Life
Demographic/Démographique: Seinen

The main difference between this show and previous The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague is this show is Seisen. (Men writing for an older male demographic.) So what difference did that make to our reviews of Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible?

Goes for the extra wide-set eye style. Cute. This show really speaks to the individual that feels unnoticed at school or work to where they feel they’re invisible.

… Mr. G

This is a fun little slice of life. the main character is so devoid of characteristics, he is invisible to other people. That alone is an accomplishment, seeing as how there are many protagonists without much personality. Fortunately, he has a very pushy girl sitting next to him, ready to tease him into standing out. All in all, this is a fun show, if you don’t mind a fairly slow pace.

… Braden

Much in the same vein as ‘Teasing Master’ shows, this has it’s own charm. In fact, it’s superior to the genre because it doesn’t belittle the MC who sees himself as ‘invisible’ to those around him. Nice slice of life show. Might continue watching if I don’t get bogged down with the rest on my watch list.

… Michael Eh?

Check out the new shows of the Winter 2023 season!

Anime Shows - Winter 2023

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Meeting – February 14th 2023 – The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague

Posted on February 15, 2023 by Michael Eh?

Koori Zokusei Danshi to Cool na Douryou JoshiFor Valentine’s Day, we watched a trio of RomComs. The first being The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague -or- Koori Zokusei Danshi to Cool na Douryou Joshi.

Himuro-kun is a living descendant of the Snow Woman from Japanese folklore. But anytime he’s around his eccentric yet kind colleague, Fuyutsuki-san, he totally freezes up! Despite the snowstorm of love that rages on in his heart, and her complete cluelessness, will he take a step forward or stay frozen in place?

Genre: Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life, Supernatural
Demographic/Démographique: Josei

This show took the group for a loop since it’s Josei (writers are women writing for women) as oppose to slapstick romcoms of Shounen (written for target audience of teen boys). So what did we think of The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague?

Rom-com involving supernatural creatures in a contemporary setting. A young graduate starting her first job in the workforce at an office. Has a black cat with white whiskers. She meets an ice spirit coworker, and slowly a bond develops. The ice spirit outwardly exhibits his emotions with manifestations of snow weather for comedy purposes. I’d say it’s mainly targeted towards young women, but the show is quite charming and laid back for casual viewing too. I don’t think it’s as good as “The Princess Next Door Spoils Me Rotten” from this season, but it’s got its own style, and comes at romance from an older age bracket. The character designs are a bit plain in comparison to the backgrounds.

… Mr. G

This is a very slow paced show. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, if the world or characters are being established, but it felt like the show was going out of its way to put the viewer to sleep. Normally I’m okay with slice of life style shows, but this is slower than I normally see. There are some good points to the premise and story, but it would have to pick up a bit to keep my interest.

… Braden

Off beat comedy. Being Josei comedy as oppose to shounen, saves us from the hijinks typical of anime rom-coms. Didn’t expect the kitsune being thrown into the mix but Japanese yokai in a real world setting is an unexpected bonus to this series. If you’re looking for something different, give this series a go.

… Michael Eh?

Check out the new shows of the Winter 2023 season!

Anime Shows - Winter 2023

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Meeting – February 7th 2023 – The Legend of Heroes: Sen no Kiseki – Northern War

Posted on February 8, 2023 by Michael Eh?

The Legend of Heroes: Sen no Kiseki - Northern WarThe second show took Mr. G by surprised.  The show is based on long running TRAILS series by Nihon Falcom. Particularly the Erebonia arc (Trails of Cold Steel).

Lavi was born in North Ambria, the poorest region in the northwestern Zemuria. She enlists in the Northern Jaegers, the largest in the continent, to protect her hometown and distinguish herself from her grandfather Vlad, who was once a hero but betrayed North Ambria. Her devotion to her missions often earned her violations of regulations, and one day, she is ordered to assemble a platoon with Martin, Iseria, and Talion for an impossible spy mission to Erebonia to gather information on the “Imperial Hero” a mysterious threat to North Ambria.

Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Game, Military

So how does a turn based RPG, The Legend of Heroes: Sen no Kiseki – Northern War stack up to being made into an anime?

Anime based in the series of turn-based RPGs by Nihon Falcom and published by XSeed. Has your typical monster killing stuff and is a military and fantasy based story. I’m not really familiar with it, it has three titles to my knowledge, and is kind of under the radar. Our protagonist is a trooper in some army in the snow-covered lands of the north. Animation and art style is serviceable, though nothing special. I’m uncertain if this is an original story, or follows the plot of one of the games in the series.

… Mr. G

Interesting mix of modern style weaponry versus fantasy monsters. Hints of mecha. No doubt there’s a kitchen sink somewhere in here too. Getting a good vibe of the soldiers interactions. Fairly good characters of low ranking more than the over the top Over Powered heroes all too common to these type of shows. I’m liking it.

… Michael Eh?

Check out the new shows of the Winter 2023 season!

Anime Shows - Winter 2023

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Meeting – February 7th 2023 – Spy Room

Posted on February 8, 2023 by Michael Eh?

Spy Kyoushitsu, Spy Classroom, Spy RoomWith only myself and Mr. G in attendance, I didn’t want to do romance nor another set of shows better seen with more people.  It took an unexpected turn with pair of shows I previously didn’t see as a pairing.  The first being Spy Kyoushitsu or Spy Room.

Following a devastating military conflict, countries fight their wars in the shadows. One unusual spy, Klaus, has never failed on the job despite his quirks, and he is building a team to take on an Impossible Mission—one with over a 90 percent chance of failure. However, his chosen members are all washouts with no practical experience. They’ll have to use every trick in the book (and some that aren’t) to prove they’re up to the task!

Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Harem, School Life

What did we think of Spy Room?

Very nice looking show with an interesting world and main protagonist. First episode is a wonderful combination of philosophy and comedy of errors. If I have a complaint about the show, it’s that backgrounds tend to be too static. Quite charming first episode though. kinda has an Assassination Classroom vibe to it, but less slapstick.

… Mr. G

The story meanders but at the end it comes together to only be TO BE CONTINUED. Defeat the teacher and complete the impossible mission. This is more of a setup for the first episode than really a first episode.

… Michael Eh?

Check out the new shows of the Winter 2023 season!

Anime Shows - Winter 2023

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