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Boasting an excellent production and solid foundation throughout, Astra Lost in Space excels in creating a compelling character-driven narrative. To begin with the former, both the first and last episodes have doubled the runtime, garnering a better first impression and allowing for a proper and satisfying resolution. Moreover, the opening and ending themes were dynamic, being included, removed, or altered depending on what worked best. The quality never dropped. As for the latter, the writing did have a noticeable by-the-book story arc structure, but the fantastic character chemistry and development, interesting worldbuilding, and engaging mystery nearly completely overshadowed this. Go and watch the first episode!

While it did come to a reasonable conclusion, Eden of The East the Movie II: Paradise Lost did not capture the same excitement and intrigue as the first season. The production quality remained consistent, but the writing felt as unsubstantial as the first movie. There was little time to produce acceptable resolutions to many of the characters introduced throughout, in addition to giving few answers to the questions presented. All of the same positives are here, but the slow narrative decline led to a realistic but mostly unsatisfying outcome. It is worth experiencing the conclusion, but do not expect the same highs as previously seen.

Despite not innovating on what came before, Eden of The East the Movie I: The King of Eden managed to follow up the previous entry to an acceptable degree. In exchange for less risk, the plot followed a safe but uninspired narrative, opting to set up for the next iteration. Moreover, the decision to wrap the series up with films did reduce the amount of runtime available and led to an increased amount of exposition. However, there were some genuinely pleasant scenes, character chemistry, and progression in spite of those minor issues. This is a fine watch as long as your expectations are in check.

As one of the more intriguing premises in anime to date, Eden of The East, though stumbling periodically, delivers on the initial hook and ultimately lands on its feet. Many great ideas and unique concepts were explored, engaging the viewer by consistently posing questions to develop the narrative. However, there were also many odd writing decisions that, while not ruining the enjoyment, would leave the audience wondering why they were implemented. Nonetheless, the well-executed scenes, character interactions, and chemistry between the main cast gave an overall positive impression. Despite some hindrances, it is worth giving this a chance if you are interested in the synopsis.

“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.