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There are some anime that should not be as good as they were: Uma Musume is a golden example of that instance. Uma Musume is an anime derived from a mobile game about Horse Girls racing. If you happen to beat your opponents, you get to set up and start fulfilling your dream of becoming an idol.

If someone were to tell me that premise, half of me would think that it would sell extremely well and the other half would believe that person is out of their mind. Yet, this anime works so well.

The foundation of this anime is in its great storytelling about ... a girl by the name of Special Week going from, essentially, inferiority to idealism. The story is by no means original, but that doesn't matter when it is executed as well as it is. There is plenty of foreshadowed plot points that are complemented by quick resolutions, which keeps the pacing of this series upbeat. The storytelling of this anime is very textbook, and I think its through that rigidity that viewers get offered a substantive story, instead of an anime studio taking the low-ground with CGDCT fluff.

The art design and sound of Uma Musume doesn't really give much to be desired. The biggest problem that I can see people having is that the CGI racing girls don't really blend well into the colored backgrounds. Having that drastic switch between digital art into CGI is not really a harsh criticism, but it can be a little jarring to see clean digitial art movement that gets quickly shifted into CGI. I think that could have been cleaned up a bit more.

However, I don't think anyone can talk about this series without talking about how cute the girls are and how their outfits are fantastic to look at. I sincerely hope the costume designers had fun creating those outfits. The racing outfits were all the same, but when it came to individual stuff, I think it was really good looking.

Uma Musume is one of those once in a few years anime that was made to break expectations. It is by no means the best anime of its season. However, to call it less than a top 10 anime for that year, I think would be a great disservice to how well executed it was. Please give this series a watch. I don't think you'll regret it.

In the most basic American High School English class students learn that progressive plot has four natural parts: Start - Rising Action - Climax - Ending. Most people would assume that the Climax would be the most exciting part of the progressive plot, but really that couldn't be farther from the truth, unless that writer is literally a generational talent. Most of the excitement tends to fall in the Rising Action because when someone puts together all the evidence given in that phase everything becomes clear, therefore the Climax and Ending are fairly boring, in comparison.

So, for something called The Rising of the Shield Hero ... why is it so damn boring? Well, let me tell you that is completely the fault of the author's inability to construct a narrative that highlights the best parts of leveling up a character, and the ongoing politics surrounding the vilification of Naofumi.

Instead of having a streamline of events, this source material's beginnings were nothing more than a handful of quests designed to make Naofumi and his crew look strong. While this can be done well, there was no bite, no excitement, NOTHING. The animation studio literally did Point-A to Point-B to Point-C. That's boring as hell, and explains why the last 10 episodes were so slow.

BUT! BUT! Myne was renamed to Bitch! It's like redemption for the viewers! Yeah? So, give me something else. A great anime isn't built on a couple of great moments. A great anime is built on consistently great moments. Shield Hero doesn't have many.

This anime had a great start, but like Darling in the Franxx the ending is so bad that an argument can be made that this could be a HARD SKIP. Up to you, I would never recommend this show to anyone. Read the material though, that's good.

Before I get into the review, I will say that I LOVE ISEKAI anime. I don't really care for the concept of transportation into another world, I just really like seeing the limits of another world. After seeing the first episode of Wise Man's Grandchild, I was easily hooked because this story doesn't foot around the issue that the MC is NUTS OP, and the plot revolves around that entire idea.

However, when we get into his teenage life, then the series really drags on and contradicts itself. A big plot point of the beginning was to make sure that our MC doesn't get militarized because ... his power level is akin to literal god status. Yet, we get 6 episodes in, and he's literally made a focus group that can be militarized into battle. Wait? What?!

So, Earlshide (the setting's country) metaphorically has multiple students who are walking NUCLEAR BOMBS to help fend against Humanoids who can also be created, never gets explained well, and are similar to walking NUCLEAR BOMBS.

Now, that sounds exciting, but the fights don't even last longer than 10 seconds a pop. The only things viewers get are a few moments where some of the cast are squaring off with Humanoids, but cast a couple of spells and they're all dead. The longest fight is about 1/2 an episode long, but most of it is filled with exposition like, "I DON'T WANNA HURT HIM... but... I have to hurt him! But, he's not a bad guy. What happened to him?"

Dribble that shouldn't get praise because it's nothing, but empty calories on a diet consisting of sugar and CGI magic particles.

If I haven't made it clear, I don't think this show is good. I'm not going to call it bad because it's pretty consistent with everything else. It's an average Isekai with an OP MC, and the art style doesn't really dip or exceed expectations. If you have nothing better to watch hit the MAL randomizer again. If you land on this twice, then give it a shot. Don't give this show the 3 episode rule, give it 2.

Some times the best pieces of art aren't the one's which wow with extreme elegance, or an overwhelming showcase of skill. Sometimes they are the ones who are true to their nature, and give us a sense of fulfillment that is rare to see.

Senko-san has beautifully filled that sense of fulfillment niche with a grace and ease that I believe hasn't been done since the Aria franchise. The sense of nurturing and calmness that viewers get to experience is akin to a breezy, spring day with a warm cup of oolong tea. The complete environment that can whisk you away into a different place through ... a portal of serenity takes extreme care and effort.

Every single moment of Senko-san never loses its way with trying to be more than a fluffy-SOL that is meant to make you smile through personable, relatable interactions. This may not be a show that will entice everyone, and I can see for a crowd who want copious amounts of action that this would be far removed.

However, if you ever feel like you need an anime that is going to give you a loving-motherly hold, I cannot think of many better options than Senko-san. It won't blow you away with its art, sound, or character development. It is not that type of anime. It's a finessed 10/10 through its execution and niche.

Please give this anime a try. You won't need more than episode 1 to know whether you'll love it or hate it. Senko-San is the 1b to Attack on Titan's 1a for Anime of the Season.

Have you ever wanted to watch an anime that was the mediocre parts of both Anohana and Sword Art Online combined? Or how about the lower-tier Isekai version of Log Horizon? I bet both of those sound enticing to the ears!

All facetious commentary aside, Shichisei no Subaru is well... Mediocre for an anime. With every single season comes a new Isekai anime (within this era). Sometimes the Isekai anime are really good, sometimes they're really bad, and sometimes they end up like this anime.

I don't feel like wasting much more of your time reading my preliminary review, but just know that this is an ... anime that isn't worth following Week-By-Week. It's fairly slow with paper-thin characters that I find unlikable. When this show ends, if MAL gives this show a 7.2 or above, then something happened that is definitely worth looking at. If it stays anywhere below that, there are better things to watch than this anime.

Overall: 9; Tzuredure Children showcases fluff can indeed carry a manga all the way to the end of its life.

When I think back to my high school years, I remember a lot of the hit and miss moments. I remember the good and bad times. I remember the love gained and love lost. I can still remember that fateful day behind the auditorium when I first confessed to my 10th grade crush. Tzuredure Children is a whirlwind of emotions and stories intertwined together, but still separated enough to be individualized. This manga is not perfect. However, Troubled Children is still a manga that deserves ... its time in the spotlight.

Story: 7

Tsurezure Children takes place in a pretty normal high-school centered around an ever growing cast of characters. The stories from each pairing (with 1 trio) tend to be very isolated from each other, depending on the relationship statuses between various group-members. Each story basically is dependent on what dynamic is needed to be crossed: Old vs Young, Timid vs Extraverted, Cautious vs Normal, etc. There are a ton of small fluffy stories in here, and each story plays out like this: Meeting => Love => Happy/Mildly Happy Ending. That progression shouldn't be a surprise to anyone reading this series, but if it is I'm sorry that you had to figure it out from me.

Art: 8

The artwork on this manga is highly dependent on taste. I think the colors (when there are colored panels) make for a very fluffy, moe look that is appealing to the eyes. I have shown this manga to other people, and some of them have agreed while others have not. I think this something that people can look over eventually because I think the character stories are worth overlooking the art-style if you dislike it. Also, I do think the art does get far better as the manga progresses.

Characters: 7

With a cast of characters this wide and diverse, and Tzuredure Children being a 4-koma styled manga, I think it's safe to assume there are going to be hits and misses. I don't like all of the pairings. But, there are some pairings I couldn't wait to read when their week came around. I don't see any real flaws with most of the character groups. There are some snags in some character motivations and awkward lacks-of-progression within romantic plotlines that should have been address. It's not a huge problem when it comes to characters. I think it would have been addition by subtraction if Tzuredure Children would have culled a few couples out of the mix.

Enjoyment 10; Overall: 9

Tzuredure Children has been a manga that I have followed for quite a while now. I knew about 2 weeks before the anime was announced to hear it getting its adaptation. I am very happy to have followed this manga to end of its life, and still feel teary-eyed looking at Wakabayashi's page with all the couples on it. I do believe that Tzuredure Children could have developed its characters more, and could have done so for about 20-30 more chapters without feeling bloated. That doesn't mean it ended in a bad spot. I look forward to seeing what is upcoming for Wakabayashi, and if anyone is need of a fluffy manga to read that is quick with a good anime adaptation Tzuredure Children is one that I would highly recommend.

I might not be the only one, but... I still have no idea what this "Absolute Duo" thing is. For a show that repeatedly uses that tagline and dozens of exposition. One would imagine that I would know what the most important aspect of the anime is. However, Absolute Duo is absolutely garbage.

I'm someone who is very keen on Romantic-Comedy, Battle-Harems because I grew up around the harem genre, and love how cliche it can be. Absolute Duo literally checks all the boxes: Beach Episode, Battling Girlfriends, Non-Dense MC, Mall Episode. There literally is nothing more that I could want, but the anime is horrendous.

The ... story takes place in an unknown universe where people get injected with various "serums" (?) chemicals (?)... I don't even know. Nevertheless, they gain superhuman capabilities to crystallize their soul into equipment called "Blazes". It's nearly as bad as Hundred's naming for various pieces of equipment.

Nothing really happens in this beyond the first couple of episodes. There is a bad guy that appears way too much after the 4 episode, and isn't given a proper backstory until he's unfortunately gutted. The story lacks any sort of build up or character motivations. The writers seem to have forgotten that motivations aren't only created through memories. The MCs get their melancholic, deeply rooted motivations from traumatizing events as a child. This would be a common vehicle to build motivations, but it doesn't work because IT'S ONLY A FLASHBACK. No explanations beyond what can be seen in the flashback because that would make too much sense.

From the lack of storytelling, it severely degrades the characters and world-building (just kidding there is no world-building) within the show. Everything about the world and its people are just cookie-cutter afterthoughts. The only love and care that was put into this show was lillith, but that's only because she showed some fire and tenacity to try to acheive things that she wanted. She was reactive. She felt like a human being I could meet. Unfortunate that she wasn't given a lot of screen.

The sound and art are nothing to write home about either. The piano interludes while cutesy aren't special. It's the basic A-B-A movements that can be heard in every single anime created in the 2014-2016 of the same genre. It can be very repetitive and disheartening. The OPs and EDs aren't stellar either. The animation quality is interesting to say the least, but get old after the 2nd and 3rd watch. The only thing I cannot dismiss in this anime art-wise is K's character in the last episode of the show. That CG was mindblowingly horrific. It was only there for 6 seconds, but it looks like a clay monster that was painted with watercolors was in the frames. NOPE. Not good enough.

Absolute Duo is a shallow, mixed bag of emotions. Most of those emotions being quite negative. There really isn't much to say. It started off like almost every battle harem between 2012-2016, and it ended very poorly like many of them did as well. Shallow characters. Poor writing. Middling execution make for a show that is absolute garbage. SKIP please.

Tada-kun is like that store bought bagel for breakfast with barely not enough cream cheese (sorry, if you don't get the idea. But, stay with me). The first couple of bites are delightfully sweet and savory. It makes you feel like you're being over satisfied with your decision to grab this bagel. However, after finishing one side, and taking the bite of the 2nd half you realize, there's nothing new to experience. The taste in your mouth is no longer of delight, but middling satisfaction. And, that experience is the essence of what Tada-kun during my runthrough of it.

The opening episodes were a whirlwind of ... comedic poise and interesting character chemistries. I wanted to know more about every character, especially Alec. I understood that each character was created with a VERY FIRM caricature of stereotypes, but I believed the screenwriters could mold them into something dynamic. Tada-kun seemed like the generic despondent MC (similar to Decim from Death Parade) whose nature would slowly develop from being around an energetic foil (Teresa). Every other character had their own pairings to develop chemistry with and bring their own unique personalities to form a fun group to be around.

BUT NO.

THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

Tada-kun after episode 5 this anime becomes the 2nd half of the bagel. It slows down into a snails pace of a romantic-comedy that doesn't really understand its own potential. It focuses too much on the idea of trying to create this forced narrative between Tada and Teresa that pays little homage to other potential romances like Sugimoto and Hasegawa or Alec and Charles (even though it seems written on the wall.)

It keeps petering along with the Slice of Life aspects making all the romance come to a halt to allow for its comedy bits to shine. While I didn't find those shorts skits funny, I did find them to be enjoyable fluff.

I do share various sentiments with other reviews of this anime being invariably disappointed with how this show turned out. But, that doesn't mean I think it should be rated lower than a 6.

It's an above-average anime that was only helped with Wotakoi airing at the same time. I don't hope for a second season because the ending that was given to us was fairly closed-ended, unless Doga Kobo decides to go forward with less Slice of Life and more Romantic progression.

TL;DR It's a 7/10 show that is not meant for everyone. If romcoms are not your genre or want a romance that heavily focuses on development like Tsuki ga Kirei, then I wouldn't recommend it. The humor is good. The Opening is probably the best this season. However, I don't think the 3 episode rule applies here, if you don't like Romantic-Comedies.

Wotakoi is a romantic-comedy that steps into the light of adulthood, and basks in the glory of being an Otaku? I'm just kidding. Being an otaku in society is still seen as a overall negative from all the weird things like Hentai and Cosplay ... making people seem deranged for dressing as weird fantasy characters...

BUT THAT'S GETTING OFF TOPIC. Anyways, Wotakoi is a light-hearted anime that really brings out what makes the romcom scene enjoyable. The character dynamics between all three of the couples: Narumi x Hirotaka ; Kabakura x Koyanagi ; Naoya x Kou, add a level of chemistry and flavor that never steps into disturbing or overbearing with its amount of fluff.

Those who are expecting a fully-developed story with lots of romantic progression or character development are going to be sadly disappointed though. Neither of those elements get pushed forward. But, that isn't mean they aren't nurtured. Throughout the entire 11 episodes, the emotions and affection that we see nurtured throughout the entire series, while small, are noticeably different from episode 1 to the ending.

Is this a show that everyone should watch? No. I don't think everyone is going to enjoy Wotakoi. It's an anime that feels like it was produced and developed for people like myself who grew up with Romantic-Comedies, and understand that speed is an aspect that rarely happens within these shows.

TL;DR Dagashi Kashi Final Rating: 6.5/10
An above average show, especially considering its first season. Its 12 minute episode length makes it a far easier because its quick, sporadic humor finally feels fast in its pacing. Except, it still has its problems from its lack of awareness pertaining to its depth and emotional cues. Dagashi Kashi's second season tries to stymie this problem with the introduction of two new characters. But, the introduction of those characters and the improved pacing doesn't offset the fact it is a pretty bland show when Hotaru and Kokonotsu aren't interacting. There is not a reason to ... watch this show when there are better options like "Bokura wa Minna Kawaisou" ; "Haiyore Naryuko-San" ; "Barakamon" to name a few, that focus of character interactions between a singular or few eccentric characters that foil the MC. Dagashi Kashi is not a bad show, persay. That does not mean it's a good one either.

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The first season of Dagashi Kashi was... well boring. It was repetitive, and its 24 minute episode length was far too long for a show that is mainly character interaction and exposition about Japanese sweets/candy. It may sound interesting to hear Hotaru or Kokonotsu talk about the history of various Dagashi, it can get overbearing when it lasts for over 20 minutes.

LUCKILY~~~ The producers cut the screen time for Dagashi Kashi in half, literally. Moving from a 24 minute format into a 12 minute format. This actually helps the viewing experience of this anime tremendously. The exposition is shortened by a noticeable amount. The character interactions are fun and quick. Dagashi Kashi's 12-minute run-time finally allows for its pace to match its quick, sporadic humor. Every episode might seem to go by in a blink.

Except, the show isn't still what I would call "good" in an overall sense. It's an anime that you have, for lack of words, 'turn your brain off to enjoy'. There is little to not plot development that occurs over this show, and the romantic interests also go nowhere either. The introduction of Hajime and Beniyutaka might seem like a foot in the right direction, but their influence on this anime's plot is little to nothing because of the pace of this anime. I haven't read any of the source material, so they may have a larger role, but their own specific arcs within the show are punitive at best. They are interesting additions to the current cast of characters, but this anime is still very much carried by the antics of Hotaru and Kokonotsu. When that pairing is not seeing screen-time, the jokes and everything fall flat, to me.

Dagashi Kashi S2 is a step in the right direction for this series, and I mean a major step in the right direction. I would not be surprised if there is a third season because I believe that its funded by major Dagashi Companies in Japan, not mention it got simulcasted during its airing. However, its not something you should go out of your way to watch. There are better anime out there that kinda fill the same niche, "Bokura wa Minna Kawaisou" ; "Haiyore Naryuko-San" ; "Barakamon" to name a few, that focus of character interaction and day-to-day living with its focus on improvement surrounding either a singular or few eccentric characters foiling the MC.