I’m watching quite a few anime this season!
I swear, every season starts the same way. I look at the lineup and think, “Oh, there really aren’t that many anime I’m interested in this time around.”
Then my sister and I start browsing. I pick up a few shows here, she suggests another, something catches my eye that I definitely wasn’t planning to watch and, somehow, a few weeks later I check my watchlist and—
I’m watching 15 anime.
FIFTEEN.
So apparently, this season had a little more to offer than I originally thought.
Now that we’re about halfway through the season, I figured it was the perfect time to check in and share my thoughts. There have been some surprises, a few disappointments, and definitely some shows I’m enjoying way more than I expected.
So, with 15 anime and a questionable amount of free time later, here’s what I think of everything I’m watching so far!
A Livid Lady’s Guide to Getting Even: How I Crushed My Homeland with My Mighty Grimoires
Episode: 3 of 12
Status: Stalled
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
I’m sure it’s someone’s cup of tea but for me, it just felt flat. There was nothing special about it and although I do usually love a good revenge story I didn’t feel compelled to continue watching. I think a lot of my disappointment stems from the lack of romance in this story and as I can appreciate what it was trying to do it missed its mark. I think part of what makes these types of revenge stories so satisfying is that as the watcher we know they are going to get a happy ending and the people that wronged them are going to regret their actions so with out a little bit of romance it just feels less satisfying as if the heroine’s story is some how less because she didn’t level up in all aspects of her life. Granted I am a huge Romance fan but to me, I just want more. I don’t want a simple revenge story pfff, no way there has to be a happy ending too for me to be content.
Black Torch
Episode: 3 of 12
Status: Watching
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Disney +, Amazon Prime Video
It feels very similar to a lot of the shounen out there but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, in fact it works for that exact reason. It dose feel like a combination of a few anime we already have, if I had to say I’d say it’s a weird mix of Chainsaw Man and JJK which let’s be honest is such a fun watch. It doesn’t break any new ground and I’m not sure I find it to be particularly memorable besides the cat character, Rago, but it’s fun and worth a watch in my opinion. Maybe I’ll have more thoughts later in the series, for now I’ll continue watching.
From Overshadowed to Overpowered: Second Reincarnation of a Talentless Sage
Episode: 7 of 12
Status: Watching
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
I actually think this one is pretty basic as far as power fantasies go but there is just something about a good power fantasy the is so satisfying. I enjoy that It’s not too serious. I’m not on the edge of my seat or anything but it’s fun to see the ways in which the main character can completely obliterate his opponents. I think every season needs one of these as a pallet cleanser for the more high stakes and serious stuff.
Heroine? Saint? No, I’m an All-Works Maid (And Proud of It)!
Episode: 2 of 12
Status: Watching
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
I think it’s cute, but not too memorable as Maid anime seem to be an oversaturated genre and maybe I’m being overly critical of this light novel turned anime but she is just basically the female equivalent of Sebastian from Black Butler, with a lot more heart. I think maybe this anime isn’t for me because I’ve always preferred the saintess genre over this kind of story.
I Became a Legend after My 10 Year-Long Last Stand
Episode: 6 of 12
Status: Watching
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
I am actually really like the premise of this one, it’s so refreshing to watch an anime where you have a hero’s party and all the members care and respect each other. It’s not a revenge plot but rather the main character lock himself away to save his friends for 10 years because they have families and he doesn’t’. Additionally it’s funny! This is my brand humor, it’s equal parts ridiculous and well timed jokes, which makes for an entertaining watch. It also has enough plot building to an over arching story to keep you interested for future episodes. It’s a personal favorite of the season and not just because of the chicken, but the chicken dose help.
Please Excuse My Younger Brothers
Episode: 2 of 12
Status: Stalled
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
My sister did talk me into watching this one with her as I’m not usually a fan of either Reverse Harem or Harem anime in general. But, It was better than I anticipated, as I went into it thinking I’d get Brothers Conflict cringe and although it did share some similarities it wasn’t close enough for me to straight up drop it. I do plan on giving this one a few more episodes before officially deciding one way or the other.
The Duke’s Son Claims He Won’t Love Me Yet Showers Me with Adoration
Episode: 6 of 12
Status: Watching
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
Okay, I’m just like all the other girls give me an Anime with tropes I like and a good romance plot and I’ll stay sat. I adore this type of story, I’ve probably seen and read this story a good few hundred times over but it works every time. I love the cold and distant Duke type that falls for the less fortunate but kind country noble girl, who slowly goes about fixing his life by helping him open up and better understand the people around him. I think I like this anime for the same reason I liked Mr. Darcy from pride and prejudice as a teenager, now the duke isn’t nearly as bad and he is really only unpleasant to her in the first episode and after that is rather charming in his own way but it’s that same kind of story.
The Exiled Heavy Knight Knows How to Game the System
Episode: 4 of 12
Status: Stalled
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
Why is it whenever we have a male protagonist that is out for revenge it’s generally speaking, just better? Now, this anime doesn’t seem to have any romance either, but unlike A Livid Lady’s Guide to Getting Even, it doesn’t feel like it’s missing something because of it. And I think a lot can be said of why that is, but I won’t dwell on that here instead I’d rather just say these types of stories tend to be more fast paced action. And with so many pros it’s a shame they went so hard on the animation. Because oh man this one is painful to watch, I really would have appreciated it if the animation team had toned it down a little, even 30% would be better than this. It gives me a headache to watch but I do like the story. I do plan on finishing this one at some point but I can only watch one episode at a time.
The Frontier Lord Begins with Zero Subjects
Episode: 7 of 12
Status: Watching
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
Well this one certainly wasn’t on my bingo card but I adore The Frontier Lord Begins with Zero Subjects. it’s an anime I didn’t know anything about going into it, so it came as a surprise when I fell in love with it and it’s characters. I was not expecting it to be such a well developed anime with interesting characters that touch on such deep topics especially for a mostly light hearted show. There is this dept to the characters that we do not get in a lot of shows now, even from as early as the first episode where Alna becomes interested in Dias because he is manly and can provide for her. It’s just so realistic for a group of people whom were displaced from their homeland to value putting food on the table above superficial things like looks. I think initially at least the realism of each character is what drew me into the show.
The Oblivious Saint Can’t Contain Her Power
Episode: 7 of 12
Status: Watching
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
Okay I do like the neglected saintess trope from time to time, it’s kind of nice to see how they are more frequently getting made into anime now. They used to just be a little sub genre of a sub genre but seeing this gives me hope they will one day animate, With Vengeance, Sincerely, Your Broken Saintess someday. This genre has a lot more to offer and although this one was sweet, it’s not my favourite.
The Ogre’s Bride
Episode: 7 of 12
Status: Watching
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
I am a big fan of this, first of all we have Fated Mates Yokai but it’s not normal fated mates no because only the male lead Reiya feels the bond. the writing seriously reminded me a little of Black Bird and Kamisama Kiss and while I will admit it is a little trope-y I love it. This is the kind of trash I eat up. There is just something that reminds me of all the damsel in destress shoujo type manga I read in the early 2000’s.
Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court
Episode: 3 of 12
Status: Watching
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
Initially I was watching this one subbed like I watch all my anime now but after episode 2 I switched to dubbed as Alex Lee voices one of the characters and as a BIG solo levelling fan, I was here for it. That aside the anime its self is 100% up my alley. It hits all the right notes at the correct time and although I am a bit behind on this one It may be my favourite of the season. I love the way this one is playing out, the grass is always greener on the other side until you body swap and find out that’s not the case.
Tomb Raider King
Episode: 3 of 12
Status: Watching
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
This is one of those shows I came into excited for primarily since the art style looks so similar to Solo Leveling and they are produced by the same studio. But Sen Joo-Hean makes Sung Jin-Woo look like a saint. Sen Joe-Hean lacks the conscience that Sung Jin-Woo has and that dose draw back from the enjoyment of the series a little I tend to prefer characters that show a certain degree of compassion and maybe Sen Joo-Hean isn’t completely heartless but I still find him lacking as a main character.
Victoria of Many Faces
Episode: 3 of 12
Status: Watching
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
Victoria of Many Faces is such a cute anime, I know, I’ve said that about a lot of the anime this season but I think it is particularly justified with this one because of the family like dynamic. This anime reminds me a lot of Spy Family because of that dynamic, yet still different enough to be memorable and unlike Spy Family, Victoria of Many Faces leans more heavily into Drama, than comedy.
Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games
Episode: 2 of 12
Status: Watching
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
So me and my friends do joke about this one being Lesbian Street Fighter, but can you honestly tell me it isn’t? The title really juste tells you all you need to know about this one and you either like it or you don’t . I do personally like it but I did see the first episode in theatres for the Crunchyroll sneak peeks so my opinion of the Anime may be positively coloured by that experience. Also I didn’t know this originally but they use actually Street Fighter game play in the anime so it’s kind of a big deal if you are big into Street Fighter, I am not but I think it’s nice they continue to do things like this for the fans.
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Of course, we’re only halfway through, so there’s still plenty of time for my opinions to change. Some of my favorites could completely lose me by the finale, while a few of the shows I’m unsure about might end up surprising me. I’m curious to see where everything lands by the end of the season—and whether I’ll still agree with any of what I just wrote.
