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Before diving into Botsuraku, you should set your expectations clearly: it's a low-stakes harem popcorn power fantasy—nothing more, nothing less. If you're looking for depth, gripping storytelling, or profound character arcs, you'll be disappointed. But if you enter ready for easygoing entertainment and a casual magic spectacle, you're in for a surprisingly enjoyable ride. I saw the poor ratings before mostly binging it, so my expectations were set appropriately - which allowed me to enjoy it.

The anime itself is unabashedly shallow in narrative complexity, yet it shines in one particular area: its commitment to magic. Unlike many fantasy series that skim over their magical systems, ... Botsuraku indulges fully in its magical elements. The main character's pure, almost obsessive pursuit of magic for magic’s sake provides consistent enjoyment, especially if you're a fan of detailed spellcraft and imaginative magical systems.

Conflict does arise, but it's never high-stakes or particularly tense. Characters rarely face genuine loss, and the cast continuously expands, contributing to a relaxed atmosphere rather than meaningful drama. Think comfort food anime - nothing groundbreaking, but deeply satisfying if you know exactly what you're getting into.

While objectively not a standout (it currently holds a 5.94 rating on MAL), for magic enthusiasts who want something undemanding yet engaging in its portrayal of spellcraft, it genuinely delivers. Personally, I'd rate it a 9, fully recognizing that this reflects subjective enjoyment rather than overall quality. Objectively, it's worse. But, I enjoyed it.

TLDR: Go into Botsuraku expecting a laid-back harem fantasy brimming with magical indulgence. If that aligns with your tastes, it’s certainly worth watching - and even rewatching - in the future.

As the latest entry in the series, Immortality Season 4 is by far the most disappointing chapter, plagued by glaring inconsistencies and poor writing decisions. While prior seasons had their moments of brilliance, this one falters under the weight of its own flaws, leaving viewers frustrated and unsatisfied.

The writing undermines its characters at every turn. The "MC vs. the world" dynamic, which was once a compelling underdog narrative, has spiraled into absurdity. Nearly every character is irredeemable, offering no nuance or complexity, making it feel like the protagonist exists solely as a punching bag. Even within the world’s established rules, his journey is riddled with ... contradictions. Despite achieving the prestigious rank of an authentic disciple, the narrative and supporting cast continue to demean him as a lowly servant, completely disregarding his progress.

Among the key players, there are some highlights, but they fail to salvage the season. The demon girl shows flickers of growth, albeit inconsistently, while the dragon girl remains a rare beacon of quality characterization. Qingxue’s kindness and loyalty shine through, but her near-absence from the season undermines her impact. Meanwhile, the rest of the cast oscillates between overt hostility and indifference, leaving the MC isolated without any plausible justification for such relentless vitriol.

Thematically, the show’s portrayal of cultivation as inherently breeding evil could be an interesting critique of the genre, but the execution is heavy-handed and one-dimensional. The entire system seems unrealistically focused on tormenting the MC to the point where disbelief sets in. For example, attacking an authentic disciple was once an unthinkable crime, yet when the MC ascends to that status, nothing changes. The sea journey attack encapsulates this inconsistency—viewers are led to believe such actions would merit harsh consequences, yet the narrative provides no payoff. Although it may in the future, it's lost my trust.

This lack of follow-through permeates the season, with "we will investigate" becoming a hollow refrain. No effort is made to show investigations or consequences, turning these promises into cheap placeholders. Either the entire world is evil and against the MC or the entire world is incompetent. Coupled with an abrupt ending and no sequel in sight, the season feels unfinished and unearned.

While the series retains a glimmer of hope for future redemption, this season earns a 6/10 at best. If upcoming installments address its many shortcomings—restoring character depth, resolving plot threads, and respecting its own world-building—there is a chance it could recover to a 7. As it stands, however, Season 4 leaves much to be desired.

It's a mixed bag that leans more on the side of popcorn entertainment if you’re willing to overlook some glaring flaws. For starters, skip the first two episodes entirely—they’re a poorly done recap of season one and add nothing of value. The drastic shift in art style is initially jarring, with a more cartoonish design that may throw off returning viewers. The original art style's take on female characters in particular is far superior with them having an air of maturity while also having room to be silly. However, once you get accustomed to it, it can be enjoyed (although I never got used to ... the MC's white cartoon face in scenes). Their interactions within the setting remain a highlight, and I found myself quite engrossed in the direction the plot was going. While it’s not groundbreaking and lacks the polish of stronger titles in the genre, the show succeeds in delivering casual fun for fans of isekai.

Beneath its cartoonish looks, the series tackles surprisingly “taboo” topics like rape, torture, and murder, setting it apart from fluffier peers in the same space. While this maturity doesn’t elevate it anywhere near to must-watch status, it does add a layer of depth that complements its darker themes. If anything, the show can be darker in season 2 than in season 1. Despite that, the show is best enjoyed as light, popcorn entertainment—perfect for when you want something fun but not overly demanding. Fans of the first season (like myself) will likely appreciate revisiting this world, but it’s not one you’ll find yourself rewatching unless a sequel materializes. Ultimately, Maou-sama, Retry! R delivers a decent continuation, as long as you temper your expectations.

TLDR: If you enjoy overlord-style nation-building with the cast of characters there, then you may enjoy this. Just don't look too deep.

Extremely mild spoilers ahead: Yozakura-san Chi no Daisakusen presents itself as a paradox—a popcorn action fantasy comedy that’s hard to pin down but is nevertheless a strangely engaging ride. The premise alone is intriguing: a spy family with supernatural skills and antics that blend with slice-of-life beats. However, it's precisely in this balancing act where the show wobbles on its axis - and I ultimately fail to recommend it (despite enjoying it).

First off, let’s get one thing straight—this is a fantasy. The spy moves here are nowhere near “natural,” no matter how the show tries to package them. We’ve got supernatural abilities that turn simple ... espionage into an all-out spectacle, but instead of leaning fully into that potential, the series treads lightly, as if it’s wearing kid gloves. It’s an action show that’s almost afraid to go all-in, making it feel both oddly childlike and simultaneously not, a jarring combination that sometimes hampers the enjoyment.

There’s this bizarre restraint in the action sequences—like when people storm the mansion with the intent to kill, and yet the protagonists hesitate, pulling punches. Why hold back? If the stakes are life and death, the consequences should reflect that intensity. The lack of commitment here can be frustrating, especially when the series has the tools to be so much more dynamic.

Yet, despite these rough edges, the characters shine. The core cast carries a charm that’s hard to resist, creating those moments of levity and warmth that make you want to keep watching. And sure, it might not always deliver the explosive action I wish it had, but the interactions and the humor have a way of pulling you back in.

Interestingly, the romance aspect of the series grew on me quite a bit. For characters of their age, the relationship dynamics display a surprising level of maturity that I wasn’t expecting. It’s a refreshing contrast to the rest of the show’s tone, adding a layer of depth that balances the lighter, more playful moments.

For those looking for a gritty or intense spy series, Yozakura-san might disappoint. It’s almost like a kiddie show wearing the skin of something more mature, but if you can accept the tonal inconsistency, there’s a lot of fun to be had. It’s the kind of series I’ll give a 7 or an 8 for now, knowing that, as enjoyable as it is, there are pieces missing that would have elevated it further. The tone issues simply bothered me too much in the end to recommend it.