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“I have no enemies.” The second season of Vinland Saga is the culmination of a foundation laid prior and is one of few stories that captures the essence of people as opposed to written characters. Having the confidence to tell a narrative, despite knowing some would be unwilling to see it through or try to understand, garners massive respect for the author. Strive to appreciate the messages of forgiveness, acceptance, and redemption. We are encouraged to become better people in spite of the burdens we carry or when enduring circumstances beyond our control. Please watch this with your full attention. This one is truly special.

Wholesome, endearing, and filled with passion, Spy x Family Movie: Code White delivers on creating a heartfelt message of love and unity despite sometimes foregoing a believable narrative. The pleasant sound design and gorgeous animation laid the foundation that spotlights the crucial family dynamic. There was plenty of creative expression in a variety of scenes, and the movie was genuinely pleasant to watch. However, as this series goes on, grounded and relatable resolutions to problems are often placed to the side in exchange for comedic beats or visual spectacle. While there can be room for this, it should not overshadow the sincerity of the writing.

Retelling a narrative from a different perspective can be quite difficult considering the knowledge the watcher already possesses. In the case of Blue Lock: Episode Nagi, the viewer gains very little when experiencing the story a second time. This series thrives in tense situations with high stakes. Without this, it needed to rely on creativity and visual spectacle to convince the audience that this was worth their time. Neither was present here. Aside from a few scenes, there was little passion put into the production. The quality of the animation varied heavily, and many sections were reused footage. You can safely pass on this one.

While there is nothing inherently wrong with My Deer Friend Nokotan, the initial enjoyment slowly began to fade as the episodes continued. The absurd and referential quips paired with the random antics of the cast did make for some hilarious moments. However, the relatability of the humor became lost in this randomness. Or perhaps the growing number of meta jokes and tropes found in entertainment has lost its sincerity. Regardless, when keeping the interest of the audience is dependent on the comedy hitting, there is not much remaining when it does not meet expectations. Unfortunately, there was more of the latter here than the former.

One Piece Fan Letter is a high-quality, lovingly crafted production made for all the people across the years who have supported and have been invested in the world of One Piece. The ambitious direction and storyboarding created a solid, consistent foundation that propelled creativity, storytelling, and fan service to new peaks. One notable standout was the use of perspective in both the animation and character writing. Seeing firsthand how the average individual, both from a distance and in the action, lives and breaths was compelling. The Straw Hat Pirates continue to have an effect on others from a variety of different backgrounds, in-universe or not.

“Everyone is a slave to something.” The interwoven history told throughout is perfectly captured by the tragic themes of war, hatred, revenge, and freedom that are likewise prevalent today. Carefully crafted scenes do not conceal the devastation that people can cause but make certain that these events emphasize the lessons we must learn. Vinland Saga seeks to tell the story of people. We struggle to find meaning in a world that sometimes seems out of our control. Nevertheless, our life in this world is shaped by our decisions and is more often than not the byproduct of how we react to the world around us.

Mashle: Magic and Muscles is a combination of deriving concepts from various media while attempting to capitalize on action and parody. Unfortunately, ideas explored beyond the initial premise are only surface-level. Some areas do succeed, such as the quick pacing and the amazingly ambitious soundtrack. However, cracks in the foundation start to form with generic character archetypes and formulaic backstories, uninteresting and repetitive conflict resolutions, and the commitment to questionable traits simply to be used as a gag. Moreover, the female cast is written one-dimensionally to fit a role rather than as unique individuals. The overall production quality is fine, but the writing feels uninspired.

Gradual improvements have been made, and thankfully there is more of a focus on the sport itself. Developments have also been made to the characters and the banter and rivalry between them. The absence of certain players was also welcomed... The second season of Rising Impact however does still suffer from suspension of disbelief. Adding artistic flair to shots or exaggerating moments in the animation is fine. However, the enjoyment of the story is hindered when the writing in particular scenarios creates unbelievable stakes. This show can be fun. But some of the first season in addition to these aspects make it difficult to recommend.

While successfully communicating the interest in the sport, Rising Impact falters in making believable circumstances regarding both the portrayal of golf and the characters themselves. How the sport is presented makes the concept easy to understand and enjoyable for those new to the activity. However, the narrative is written as if the author forgot they were writing a sports series. Unnecessarily impossible plot devices and unbelievable character designs and abilities abandon all logic. And some characters exist simply to be unpleasantly antagonistic despite their credentials. While there should be room for some level of creativity, it should not pull the viewer out of the experience.

An exceptionally ambitious original anime that despite a few stumbles, sticks the landing with so few episodes. Terror in Resonance captures the feeling of calm amidst the chaos of life. Many moments give you room to breathe, which when paired with the resonating soundtrack, creates some incredibly captivating scenes. While more time to deepen character development and lengthen scenes would have been appreciated, this detracts little from the experience. There was careful detail placed on approaching mental health, the struggle of those with troubled lives, and the fleeting times when one feels truly alive. This is a unique experience that everyone should give a chance.