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The slow decline in popularity of the mecha genre has been well documented by many people. Once a juggernaut in anime, the genre has declined in interest and popularity over these years. While we’ve had standouts like Darling in the Franxx, 86 and finally getting the last entry in the reboot Evangelion movie series, the quantity hasn’t been nowhere near as prevalent as it once was. Yet, there’s one franchise that still kicking along consistently and that is Gundam. Granted, being the face of the mecha genre does help with that but Gundam has still been trucking along; not fazed by the trend and putting ... out consistent anime entries, whether it would be mainline, spinoffs or standalone entries, Gundam still keeps going.

Which brings us to the anime in question today, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury. The latest standalone entry and not part of the Universal Century timeline. Standalone entries are always welcome because they are ways for new fans to get into a Gundam series without relying on the prior knowledge of all the mainline Gundam entries that you need since the very first one over 4 decades ago now. And I have to say, I really enjoyed this series a lot more that I thought I was going to. Granted the only other Gundam series I’ve ever watched is 00 so I don’t know how it stacks to other series but as a standalone anime, I had a really good time with this. This second cour in particular has been consistently a top three most enjoyed anime this season for me. Which is surprising considering how I felt about the first cour and I thought it was alright until the last few episodes where it started getting good; with the second cour taking those last few episodes and running away with it for the rest of the series. Despite my enjoyment though, there are problems with this series that need to be addressed.

Also by the way, this review will cover both seasons since they essentially just got split into cours.

The first problem is that it struggles to maintain a consistent pace. It starts off slow because it needs to set up this setting and its characters. It starts picking up pace and moves steadily and then it starts going too fast and not giving us enough time to process what is going on. Like, slow down and let us wrap our heads around what is going on. The show only has a steady pace in the last few episodes of season one and halfway through season 2, where the show hits its high point but it’s steady increase in speed that makes the pacing inconsistent.

The other problem is that I wish there was more of it. Not in the happy way where this was so good that I wish there was more, but more of the, “There’s got to be more here right?” It feels like that there is more to be told that the show just kind of glosses over so things that could really do with explaining more and expand the setting. We are given the necessarily things to follow the story which is fine, but it feels like there’s more going on that’s worth exploring. You could honestly put an entire new season in to explore all these storylines with competing parties, governments and companies vying for power and there’s the whole subjugation on Earth and the prejudice that comes with it. Politics can make your story very interesting. Whether to understand people’s agendas, allegiances and what deals can be made that will affect the story down the line. We get some things explored but only surface despite it could make things really interesting. That’s why I ask if there is more, because there’s clearly more there to explore but the show never goes far enough with it.

So with those noticeable problems that would bring down a lot of other shows, why did I like The Witch From Mercury so much? I think it mainly comes down to what the show has given us is done really freaking well and is very well executed. The character moments are the main highlights of both seasons, especially season two. This is where the slow setup worked in its favour because we are introduced to these characters, their personalities and their agendas and use those to create scenes that make for some very good moments that make you want to keep watching. The first season’s final few episodes were great way to start making these moments more impactful as the show went on with it ending with squashed tomatoes. Season two goes, “What if we take the emotional impact of those squashed tomatoes and do it every episode?” What we got is every episode able to deliver one great scene after another that’s able to keep me hooked and want to come back every episode to find out what’s going to happen next. It builds on these scenes to make and exciting narrative and when the show starts dropping bombshells, it just makes what’s going to happen next more exciting. The stakes get bigger, the emotional weight gets larger, it starts acting like a Gundam series and it’s here where the plot really shines.

Another thing is that I really like these characters. The main duo of Suletta and Miorine (which, side note, her name is hard to say properly) makes for one of the more interesting storylines and how their personalities affect one another. Suletta is a nervous, timid and doesn’t really stand up for herself but has a kind heart. Miorine is a stern, cold and is not afraid to say what is on her mind. Both of their personalities rub off each other to grow as characters. Suletta slowly gains more confidence and belief in herself and Miorine starts being more compassionate and open to others. Their relationship is one of the highlights because of how they grow both as individuals and how they affect one another. It being a will they, won’t they? Yuri relationship does help because after Lycoris Recoil, it seems to be a hot trend at the moment.

Of course they are not the only characters that make this cast great. You’ve also got Suletta’s mother, Prospera, who...um...yeah, she’s certainly something, isn’t she? You’ve got best boy, Guel, who goes on his own character arc on learning humility and doing what he believes is right, instead of doing it for his father’s sake. He also has his own dedicated episode this season which was one of the best honestly and I think that solidified his status. They, along with Suletta and Miorine, are the standouts in a very large cast and while some of them are victims of the show’s surface level story, they do at least, leave a lasting impression where you can recognize them and understand their motives and agendas. It helps with the character moments in the story to get a clearer picture as to what’s going on. It may not be perfect, but it least gets the job done.

The story really is character driven because a lot of the moments that help define the series are done by the actions of these character. Making decisions that either benefit them or have severe consequences that help change who they are. Obviously, some change the plot more than others, but almost each character makes a contribution that helps affect the narrative and how we get these strong character moments that help elevate the story of this show.

When it comes to animation, it’s solid. It’s honestly nothing special but it gets the job done and keeps the action enjoyable to watch. The most notable thing honestly is, hey, 2D mech fights. Sure, 3D mechs can make things fast and exciting, but there’s something about 2D mech fights that make it just as enjoyable as well. I think It’s the weight and impact of each fight that makes 2D mech fights enjoyable and you feel every blow because it moves at a slower pace when compared to a 3D mech fight. Considering the show’s emotional weight, it does make the fights that much better. That’s not to say the show doesn’t use CG, it’s mainly used when showcasing massive space stations or doing a panning shot and to it’s credit, it does look good. Character designs as well are solid, each having a distinct look from each other so it’s easy to tell who’s who.

The soundtrack is good. It mainly uses orchestral pieces to remind that this is serious and it’s happening right now but also uses slow pieces when it needs to calm the mood or starts speeding up when the situation changes or plot revelations are getting revealed to heighten the tension. The show is able to pull the right levers at the right time to make a scene better. It also does throw a little bit of electronic in there as well to make it more immersive with the Sci-fi setting but doesn’t detract from the orchestral to the point where it’s an abomination of the two. It uses it just right.

As for the OPs, both are good. The first OP which apparently is called, “Blessing” by YOASOBI, if you put in Google translate is probably my favourite of the two although both are good for the tone of each season. There both visually good although I would give the edge to the second OP, "slash" by yama, in the visual department but I think why I like the first one mainly come from the song. It has such a nice pace and rhythm to it that makes it rather catchy and YOASOBI puts in a good vocal performance. I think between this, Beastars S2 and Oshi no Ko, I have become a fan of YOASOBI. That’s not to say that the second OP isn’t good because it is. Again, I think visually, this one is better because I do think it’s animated better and better symbolically with its visuals. The song itself is solid and good to set the tone of season two.

As for the EDs, I think the show’s second ED, "Red:birthmark" by Aina The End is clearly the better one. It carries a lot of emotional weight and you can feel it in the vocal performance. It’s a great compliment to what just happened each episode because with each episode seemingly dropping an emotional moment at the end of each episode, the ED only seems to heighten that emotion. It makes for a great cap off for each episode. The first OP, ehhh. It’s not as interesting visually as the second one where I think that one is more visually creative but this one is merely fine. Same goes for the song where it’s fine but more suited for an OP honestly than an ED. I think the visuals being as meh as they are doesn’t help get me excited listening and it just ends up being pretty average.

Conclusion:

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury is a flawed show but it’s one hell of a good time that just needs more to expand on some things. The show’s characters and character moments keep the entertainment level high and we got from each character (to varying degrees) makes each fight and each plot revelation more impactful. It’s hard to explain because you kind of need to see it to believe why the show is just able to keep you hooked without using spoilers to explain it in more detail. The show is very character driven and while that does hurt the overall setting and its world building, it makes each engagement that much better because you’ve got some emotional weight behind. Season two in particular is where all of this is at its best because it’s done all of the setup and now it can act like a Gundam show. It felt like my patience was rewarded in some way, because I felt slightly indifferent when the first season started but it just started to get better and better that, yes had to sacrifice some things, but was able to execute what it wanted to do really well to make this season in particular one of my favourite anime this season.

I don’t know how this stacks with other standalone Gundams because again, the only other one I’ve watched is 00, although I do want to get around to watch Iron Blooded Orphans at some point. If you can get around the show’s flaws and the fact it doesn’t play out like your typical Gundam show to begin with, The Witch from Mercury is a very good time.


Story: 7/10
Characters: 8/10
Animation: 7.5/10
Sound: 7.5/10
My Personal Enjoyment: 9/10
Overall Score: 7.8/10
Recommendation: Watch It

SPOILERS FOR EPISODE ONE, ALTHOUGH YOU PROBABLY KNOW WHAT HAPPENS BY EITHER WATCHING IT OR HAVING SOCIAL MEDIA SITES SPOILING IT FOR YOU.

Oshi No Ko was the anime I was most looking forward to this season. It mainly came from Manga readers hyping it up and making it more interesting with that Riddler meme, “Does he know?” No, I didn’t know but I was looking forward to finding out. It’s also a freaking idol anime and besides Zombieland Saga, I usually avoid those like the plague. But yeah, with the interesting premise; combined with the hype from manga readers and the fact that the ... manga was made by the same person who made Kaguya-sama, it made it a really exciting show to watch. Sure enough, episode one exploded on every social media platform and the MAL numbers for this show skyrocketed. My fear though was that, after that initial hype, was it able to ride that hype all the way through? Not really, but going freaking fantastic to excellent is not a big deal.

To summarize the plot, Ai Hoshino is a famous idol from the group Komachi B. She also carries a secret in that she is pregnant with twins, something Gorou Amemiya, a doctor and a big fan of Ai is concerned about. However, while helping with the labour process, he dies but is reborn as one of Ai’s children, Aqua. He, along with his sister Ruby, soon learns what it’s like in the entertainment industry and its rather shady intentions.

The show does a great job of just showcasing how show business is not all just stars and glamour but also, there is a rather more malicious undertone underneath it all. But it ain’t all backstabbing and bribery, but rather more subtle things such as a supporting character not having much screentime in order to upstage the main character, or using a respected manga to merely promote some models. It portrays these things with secret agendas so that the more important people in these projects get what they want. There is more upfront things in this show though such as online abuse, but it’s the way it’s all executed that makes the story so intriguing; showcasing just how rough and cut-throat show business is and how it can affect our character’s mental state and how it can change someone. It is honestly one of the show’s main selling points in just seeing how this is all unveiled.

Okay, I’m going to discuss about the big moment at the end of episode one because it’s essential about talking about Aqua and Ruby. So this is your last chance.

Okay? Okay. So Ai’s death at the end of episode one is such a big moment not only in the show itself, but also the motivations for both Aqua and Ruby because they take opposite paths as to how they handle her death. Ruby wants to honour her death by following in her footsteps and become an idol herself. To live her dream that Ai inspired her to achieve. Aqua however, goes in the opposite direction where his mind is set on revenge for her death by finding out the one who got her killed. It’s such contrast from each other that helps differentiate Aqua and Ruby and how their personalities are fleshed out due to this moment defining their motivation. Out of the two, I do prefer Aqua more mainly due to how he still wants to help but he is closed off and focused on revenge that he comes across as rather callous.

But it’s not just them two that are interesting, there is also best girl Kana Arima (Yeah, I said it). Kana is a child actor who unfortunately couldn’t get much work once she grew up and became a very negative person who willing to be pessimistic about everything. Something I personally dealt with, not exactly like Kana but something similarly. It makes Kana both entertaining but also sympathetic knowing that you have a path for you but starts to fall apart but it’s not your fault. It’s a great example of her being a victim due to how cutthroat the industry is. You honestly start to feel sorry for her but also helps that some good fortune starts going her way to give her more confidence and you hope someone like Ruby can provide that

Then there is Akane Kurokawa who is also best girl (that’s right TWO BEST GIRLS) who is a very good actress, to an almost terrifying degree at times, but it’s not like she’s just a natural at it. It’s very clear she puts a lot of effort into it to make sure she can achieve to the best of her abilities. She really is a character to root for because she tries so hard to put In the effort to be a great actress. It’s amplified with the very real conflict in episode six which is all to real and you feel really sorry for her and want to give a hug.

You’ve also got other characters like Mem, a Youtuber and streamer and Miyako Saitou who acts a mother figure for Aqua and Ruby but the point is that the majority of this cast are likeable and interesting. Each having their own struggles that need others around them to say that they are there for them and to give them a little push. Of course, I have to mention Ai herself who absolutely stole the show in the first episode. Someone who, despite lying to people, has a nice arc knowing that she has something genuine to care about; that being a mother to Aqua and Ruby. It makes her death that more tragic and effective because its not just the timing of it that makes it effective, but knowing that despite everything, she was ready to fully embrace being a mother. Also, the execution of how she died was also excellent. There’s a reason why the episode exploded on social media when it aired.

How these two elements incorporate with each other, the characters and the darker side of the entertainment industry makes for a really compelling narrative. A narrative that that’s not afraid to get a little real and yet use it to flesh out the characters more, usually to make you root for them. However, there is a sizeable plot hole in the narrative and it mainly comes from the fact that the show contrives its way to make Aqua’s search as to why Ai died, despite the fact that he is asking for information about an Idol who’s been dead for many years and no one seems to really question why or put one and to together that maybe there’s something more going on here. Like, these people aren’t idiots, they are smart and aren’t oblivious to things, but they get treated like they do and it doesn’t feel right, or they are willing to turn a blind eye which doesn’t make things interesting.

In terms of animation, it’s really good, which is surprising considering Doga Kobo’s previous repertoire of anime being fine, animation wise. It is carried by its art style and character designs which, I think the word I would use to describe it would be “striking”. The colours get really brought out in this series, whether it would be the glamorous lights or the dark pits of despair. It makes the show look a lot better and makes it more vibrant. The designs of the characters are very attention grabbing with the emphasis on the eyes. The eyes are the most captivating part that really bring out the look of a character. In terms of standouts, Ai obviously stands out in this regards with her violet hair and pink outline that goes so well with her eyes that tell you that she is the star. She is the one that will grab your attention. Other characters include Mem which I’m a fan of her design, although I don’t know what’s with the horns, probably a brand look for her Youtube platform.

The animation itself is good, but it really is the presentation that carries the show and combined with the art style and characters designs that help makes the animation as whole better. Although there are some scenes where the animation itself does leave a rather memorable moment in mind. There are a couple in episode one that I recall being very good that leave a lasting impression and there are others but like I said, it’s good but it’s everything surrounding it that makes it better.

The show’s soundtrack is also good. It is mainly used in the background and to be used as a tone setter for whatever scene it’s in. It can stand out when it needs to but most of the time, It doesn’t need to and is just used to enhance a scene in whatever it’s used in. It’s main strength though comes from its range where it can be generally light hearted, but it can also be twisted and just makes things a little bit chilling, effectively making a scene that little bit better.

Then there is the OP and ED which, in my opinion, are both my favourites this season and I know there are some really good openings this season such as Demon Slayer and Heavenly Delusion’s OP, but the one thing that this OP has over the others is fit. YOASOBI is perfect for a show like this and the OP certainly shows. If their OP for Gundam: The Witch From Mercury was the appetizer, this one is the main course. Titled, “Idol” (appropriately), the OP really brings out the bright lights of show business and also the dark undertone the show portrays. To be specific, the visuals are full of sparkling lights and upbeat visuals and while the song compliments that, the tone of the song does get darker at times to tell you that maybe it’s not all glamorous. YOASOBI’s performance really does put this over the top and vocal performance is again, such a perfect fit for this OP and it is the best performance I’ve heard from her so far. Granted there have been only two OPs they have done before this (Beastars S2 and the aforementioned Gundam: TWFM), but this really is the best I’ve heard from them so far and does take the cake for the my favourite OP this season.

And yes, I also do think that the ED is also my favourite this season, although that one I’m less confident in saying because Vinland Saga, Gundam and Dr. Stone’s EDs are also really good. It’s certainly my favourite because, like the OP, the vocal performance really puts it over the top. Titled, "Mephisto" by Ziyoou-vachi, the performance has a nice pace to it and doesn’t over-rely on using vocaloid and uses it effectively. The visuals continue on what I said about Aqua and Ruby where Aqua is walking deeper into the abyss trying to get some answers and Ruby is walking towards the same path as Ai and following her footsteps. It’s really great in that regard and combine that with the performance and you do have what I think is a very goof ED.

Conclusion:

Oshi No Ko is fantastic anime that, yes, doesn’t reach the same heights as its first episode did, but still told and interesting and compelling story that’s able to grab you through its insight into the entertainment industry and the characters who have been essentially affected by it. It uses it’s glamour as a disguise to hide the true intentions what’s really going. Kind of symbolic with how Ai thought about being an Idol. Having a fake smile to hide what you really think. Now it does contrive itself at times to move the plot forward but what is does so well is able to make up for that issue. Combine that with the production values to make a very well rounded show that, like many people, ended up being my favourite show of the season.

And yet it only feels like we are just starting. It feels like there’s more to explore down this rabbit hole but what we got here is still more than worth watching. It really is an easy recommend.

Story: 8.5/10
Characters: 10/10
Animation: 8.5/10
Sound: 9/10
My Personal Enjoyment: 9.5/10
Overall Score: 9.1/10
Recommendation: Go F**king Watch It

I would say I’m more of an open man when it comes to watching anime. I pretty much like to watch any kind of anime. This season of anime for example, I’m watching a show about the dark side of the entertainment industry, a show about a father trying to outwit the Yakuza to protect his family, a show that puts Saitama in the Harry Potter world and even a show that’s pretty much a s**tpost with horrendous CG. As you can see, I’m open into watching any kind of anime, even a show like this one where it’s over the top fun that ... does require you to turn your brain off to fully enjoy it. They tend to be shows that I enjoy at the beginning but their luster starts to wear off after a while. Is this another one of those shows or does it manage to maintain consistency from start to finish? Sadly, yes, kind of.

To summarize the premise, Otaku culture has been outlawed and all Otakus and their collections have been captured by the mysterious SSC organization. Only a handful of Otakus remain and have taken refuge inside the ruins of Akihabara and have formed a resistance. Lead by the appropriately named Otaku Hero and along with the a trio of magical girls, Anarchy, Blue and Pink, they fight back against the SSC so they once again can not be ashamed about what they like.

The show reminds me a lot of FLCL and that mainly comes from the art style and how it kind of wants you to assume that these things just happen and don’t question it. Why are there magical girls in this world? Who cares, they are here to kick ass and fight in the name of Otaku culture. That really is the motto of this show, “don’t question it, just enjoy it”, which is a motto that I’m happy with but I do look for some answers when you got magical girls, giant robots and an organization that comes out of nowhere to remove all semblance of Otaku culture. It’s a problem with many turn your brain off shows because you can only do it for so long until you want some things explained. They usually make good first impressions but they can never really keep it up or stick the landing. Magical Destroyers kind of falls into those same pitfalls but also does some things to keep it fresh.

It’s kind of half and half where it does enough but never embraces the dumb fun attitude because it’s also trying to tell its own story of not being ashamed to like what you want to like. While that is fine, it also means you are trying to do two things at once and you are not fully committing to either one. One episode will have Anarchy, Blue and Pink fight a giant robot, the next, you have an episode about how older Otakus feel about the more modern Otakus. It is held together by a consistent tone so it’s able to congeal all of this together. It’s why I don’t have too big of a gripe about it. It does have a story to follow instead of it being just simply being dumb fun as we walk aimlessly until the next big threat comes along (which it also has but that’s not the point). Yet it feels like it has potential to be more from both sides but it’s held back by the other. It tries to balance the fun action with the story of standing up for your tastes and beliefs and while it does that well, it doesn’t go far enough than it could have and as such, makes it feel like this show has missed potential.

One thing that this show does succeed though is its characters. They are generally fun and likeable characters and the main highlights are the three magical girls Anarchy, Blue and Pink. Each have a distinct personality to go with their look. Anarchy is a fiery redhead who clearly care about people and will act to protect them. Blue is a masochist who can be level headed despite her tastes and is usually the mouthpiece for Pink. As for Pink, she is a drug addict who wears a gas mask and the only word that come out of her mouth is “Gobo”. Each of them are entertaining in their own way and act as great moral support for Otaku Hero, our protagonist. He has his own personal struggle, which is the burden of leadership and standing up for your beliefs He’s one to crawl up into a ball but he’s also one to step up and will the courage when he needs to. He’s a character that never really wanted to be a leader but didn’t want to stand by and watch as everything he loves is outlawed. He’s a guy that you want to root for and hope he succeeds because he’s clearly doing what he can for all those he cares about and making sure Otaku culture doesn’t die. Of course, being an anime loving otaku does help because lets be honest, we all love anime. If you don’t, why are you here? You’re clearly in the wrong place.

The villains are fun, if one not but they clearly have something more to them that adds a bit of a mystery element to the plot that I didn’t really care too much about because it was fairly obvious why they ended up the way they did. Their fights actually do make for the highlights of the show due to what they bring to the table.

In terms of animation, it’s fine. Again, the art style and character designs are the main strength due to their rough yet lively look. They are able to strike nice poses and help make characters more distinct from one another. Unfortunately, the animation doesn’t quite match it. It’s does its job and it’s quite serviceable but it also ain’t anything special; which is kind of disappointing because I was hoping for it to look more over the top, but never feels like it goes far enough. It doesn’t detract from the action but it certainly doesn’t make you go on Youtube to look up those fights.

The soundtrack though does. I do think that this is a particularly good soundtrack with some entertaining action ost that is at least able to mask some of the flaws of the animation but I particularly love the villain osts that is able to capture their rather zany attitude. It clearly sound like it wants to have fun and I do think it is effective in that regard.

Then there is the OP and I am definitely aware that this is a VERY decisive and it mainly comes from that last bit of the OP where all sense is broken down. I however, think it’s one of the best OPs this season. For starters, I think it’s very well animated with a crisp art-style and when it does break down from all sense, it is at least creative, even if it does feel like you are going on an acid trip. It’s probably why people don’t like this OP so much because it devolves into noise and while I can see that, it is rather on brand with the shows attempt of being over the top and it is creative, I will give them that. I fully understand why people don’t like this one but for me, this is easily one of the best OPs this season.

Same goes for the ED as well, although this one is more sensible than the OP. The crisp art style returns, despite it just being sliding panels but does look really good. The visuals themselves are strange, not in the same vein as the ED but it makes you think of what it’s trying to hint at. It does make it strangely captivating. The song in particular though is the standout part in this. It’s very calm yet also ha a steady tempo where it doesn’t feel slow. Overall, I think this is a very good ED.

Mahou Shoujo Magical Destroyers is a show that I did enjoy to some degree but also fell off. I like turn your brain off shows but most of them can’t keep it going for 12/13 episodes and you kind of want more. That being said, there are things to like about this show. I like the cast of characters, I thought the ost was good and despite not being consistent with it, the over the top action is fun to watch. Yet it feels like it could’ve done so much more and what were left with is a show lesser than the sum of its parts. It isn’t able to be consistent with its storytelling, the animation is not able to keep up with the action and it just never goes far enough. You have Otakus and magical girls going up against an evil corporation with their own private military and yet it doesn’t get me fully excited. It kind of left the finale, which is meant to be the culmination to make everything go buck wild and to be fair, it did, it kind of left me with a rather “eh” expression. Like it’s fine but doesn’t get me pumped to watch and action packed finale. It’s kind of like how I feel about a show like Rust Eater Bisco from last year where it felt like, “Yeah I enjoyed it, but I felt like it could’ve done so much more.” That also applies to this show.

In the end, it does some things right but isn’t able to fully utilize its toolbox and kind of left with a rather “yeah it’s alright.” It’s fun for a good few episodes but can’t keep it up all the way through and ends up being somewhat of a dud despite its very obvious strengths.

Story: 5/10
Characters: 8/10
Animation: 6/10
Sound: 9/10
My Personal Enjoyment: 6.5/10
Overall Score: 6.9/10
Recommendation: Consider it

Demon Slayer has a problem.

I want to preface this first by saying that I do like Demon Slayer. I think it’s a fun series with great, choreographed action, likeable characters for the most part and fantastic animation, regardless what people say about the CG. It is a fun series to watch that I do look forward to each week. It does do things right to make up for its shortcomings. The problem is that those shortcomings are starting to become more and more noticeable as we get more seasons/movies. This season in particular has made it reach a point where it’s becoming near impossible to ... ignore.

Demon Slayer has gotten into a comfortable pattern with its storytelling where it’s starting to become too formulaic. The story goes like this. The first couple of episodes sets up the scenario. Tanjiro and Nezuko meets the Hashira or Hashiras that will be featured in this arc. There is a strong Demon that needs to be dealt with and they fight the Demon which will encompass the rest of that arc. Now tell me which arc I am describing? You should because I basically described all of them since halfway of season one. It’s getting too repetitive as to how the show structures each arc the same, only really changing the scenario and what Demons they fight. There would be some flashbacks that unlock some secret potential or they get intervened. Tanjiro would give it his all until he gets bailed out by a Hashira. You see where I am going with this? THEY . ALL . USE . THE . SAME . FORMULA. It just gets annoying how much the same story structure gets recycled over and over again.

This season in particular is where I need to stress it because it doesn’t di anything interesting with that formula. Especially coming off the Entertainment District arc where it was able to maximize this formula to the fullest. With great, emotional action and nice twists to keep it interesting and to freshen things up. Don’t get me wrong, this season does try to spice things up, it just doesn’t do them as effectively. As such, it makes the show’s problems more obvious because it doesn’t do enough to mask it.

Then there are the characters. Now I do like the characters in Demon Slayer because they are easy to route for due to having likeable personalties. Except for Zenitsu which, side note, THANK GOD his screentime in this season is minimal. Nice to have some peace and quiet without him screaming from the top of his lungs every chance he gets. But a problem with Demon Slayer’s characters are that they are uninteresting. What I mean by that is while they have personalties that make them enjoyable in the moment to moment scenes, they are uninteresting once you get to know them. To use a description, “They are nice looking rivers, but they are so shallow that there’s little point standing barefoot in them.” What doesn’t help and what I think is the deciding factor, is when they decide to drop their backstories when it looks like they are about to die. It’s just poor timing because you ain’t interested in right now into who they were, no, your interested in seeing if they make it out alive because the action to that point has been intense. Dropping these backstories at a pivotal point just breaks the pacing. This season in particular does it three times, so it just gets incredibly annoying. “Now is not the time to get to know them, save that for when the pace is slowing down. Right now, I want to see cool sword action.”

One thing that hasn’t taken a dip in quality is the animation. There aren’t any complaints when it comes to the show’s animation. It is sill well animated, the fights are still awesome, the colours used are still vibrant, character designs still look great, even though Gyokko design looks so out there for a daemon. Daemon designs in Demon Slayer (If you think I’m spelling daemon wrong, I’m not, that’s how it’s spelt in England), have always been great because you can still see aspects of their previous human form despite looking daemonic, but Gyokko looks really silly and just doesn’t fit with the other daemons. The CG is still well used when it comes to panning shots, giving it a faster feel and I do think the hate coming towards the fish monsters is overblown. I mean, how often do you see a CG monster have reflective eyes? Again there isn’t anything to complain when it comes to the animation. It’s always been consistently great and this season is not different.

Soundtrack as well is also just as great as ever. I do like the new character themes as I do think they are thematically appropriate with their personality. There is also the OSTs that play during the action scenes and they still elevate the action as well, helping you get pumped and more engrossed into it. Again, much like the animation, there isn’t really much to complain because it’s still consistently great with the other seasons. Same goes with the OP as well. They are, as well, consistently great openings and "Kizuna no Kiseki" by MAN WITH A MISSION and milet is no exception. I am a big fan of MAN WITH A MISSION and their songs in OPs are generally good but milet adds so much to this. Both artists bounce off each other really well and the animation is still great, giving is a preview for what’s to come in this season. It is defiantly one of the best OPs of the year so far, which shouldn’t be shocking given past Demon Slayer Openings. The ED though, not so much. They really couldn’t replicate the collab in the OP and they produced such a weaker song compared to the OP. It is not helped by the visuals are basically slide panels and they while they look nice, they aren’t particularly interesting. So while the OP is a slam dunk, the ED is very much a whimper.

Listen, I may seen quite a big negative towards Demon Slayer but I want to iterate again that I do enjoy watching Demon Slayer. If it’s able to keep me coming back to watch the next episode, it’s clearly doing something right. But the problems I have with Demon Slayer seem to only get more noticeable and the fact I didn’t enjoy this season as much as previous seasons only made things worse. The story is really my biggest gripe. It’s just so bare bones and too formulaic for its own good. The Entertainment District Arc has really felt like the peak as to how effective this formula can be but this arc just hasn’t done it effectively in my opinion. This is a problem that can only be masked for so long. My Hero Academia had this problem with it’s own story structure for a while until season six remedied that. The characters as well have got to get more interesting to know about. Tanjiro is a character to root for but he is so boring and the other characters that the arc focuses on are not interesting despite having likeable personalties.

That right there is the thing. While, there are things I like, there are some things there to counteract that and brings it down. Not necessarily to hamper my enjoyment but how much freaking praise this series gets despite its flaws. Guys, this is a good series but it’s not anime of the year worthy. There is just so little meat to cover all these strong bones. You can’t look at the strong animation and cool fight scenes and call it anime of the year. If that was the case, then show’s like The God of High School would’ve been considered masterpieces. Yet again I’ll say, I do enjoy Demon Slayer, I do like watching, I just don’t think it’s as good a people say and this season in particular just felt like the breaking point for me just to write this up and say how I feel

It does not not help that this season really is the weakest arc in the series so far because it really is more of the same but not adding anything that makes it special. While the fight scenes are still excellent, the constant breaks in pacing due to the backstories, the bare bones story once again and the fleshing out of characters just still continue to be not interesting just brings this season down as a whole.

“High quality animation and sound can only carry you so far before your story and characters have to hold up their own weight”, is a phrase I’ve used in a few of my reviews and it really does apply to this particular season of Demon Slayer.

Does that mean you should not watch this season? No, of course not. It’s still enjoyable and the show’s strengths are still in full effect here, but it’s flaws are more noticeable than before and why I just haven’t enjoyed it as much as previous seasons. I will still come back to watch more, but the grievances will remain for now.

Story: 4/10
Characters: 6/10
Animation: 10/10
Sound: 8.5/10
My Personal Enjoyment: 6.5/10
Overall Score: 7.0/10
Recommendation: Basically continue what you want to do, but I will say watch it.

Blue Lock pretty much came at the right time for me. Coming right after Ao Ashi which I really enjoyed and with the World Cup right around the corner, football fever was indeed very high. And yes, it’s called football, not soccer you goddamn Americans. Blue Lock though was prepared to offer something quite different from your standard sports anime. Something that would go against the typical, “power of teamwork” kind of show; where we test to see how one’s skill and ego can influence the people around you and change the course of any match. This is a show about a boy’s desire to ... improve and evolve his game in order to take it to greater heights. This ain’t just your typical sports anime, this is Blue Lock and I’m going to tell you why this show in particular was my favourite show in fall 2022 and subsequently in Winter 2023 and why I believe you should watch it as well.

Just a heads up though, if you are looking for a sports anime that’s more, “traditional”, then this show may not be the show for you. If anything, go watch Ao Ashi. More people need to watch that show anyway.

So let’s hype our egos, put on our football kit and smash the football into the net as I present to my anime review for Blue Lock. Let’s begin.


Story: 9/10

Isagi Yoichi had failed to win a crucial game that would have taken his team to nationals. While contemplating whether or not he should have taken the shot instead of passing it, he receives a letter from the Japan Football Union, telling him that he, among 299 other “Diamonds in the rough”, have been invited to take part in a program called “Blue Lock” with the promise that whoever completes the program would end up becoming the best striker in the world. Not missing that chance, Isagi joins the Blue Lock program as he aims to come out on top, even if it means crushing the hopes and dreams of the other Blue Lock candidates.

Blue Lock is all focused on how much one’s ego can push them forward in order to achieve victory, to disregard the people around you so only you can focus on how you can do it. Right from the word go, the show makes it very clear that friendship is not something that can help you survive Blue Lock, you and only you can make a difference in order to proceed. That what makes this so interesting because it is the opposite of what is the underlying plot line of any sports anime. Sports anime start off with character being the individual before realising that he/she can rely on their teammates to win. Blue Lock breaks that down and tells you that you should not count on your teammates because if they screw up and you lose, it was out of your hands. It tells you that you must be the one to decide it, you must be the star that your teammates follow to victory. It is made very clear from the first episode when Isagi passed to a teammate instead of taking the shot for himself and they lost because it was out of his hands and it carries that mindset throughout the show. “Don’t be the follower, be the leader. You can use your teammates, but be the one that stands tall in the end.”

It what makes the battle royale format this show has a great compliment to the egotistical individualism the characters will eventually end up being. I’ve always had a love, hate relationship with BR/death game anime because they always start out interesting but fall off quickly when the usual tropes kick in when the protagonist gets suddenly stronger and more edgy, the dreaded team-up that slows the pace down, etc. Blue Lock isn’t immune to these tropes but I would say it executes them better than other shows. It’s mainly the because of how well Blue Lock’s plot fits the BR style and the plot progresses smoothly along with it as the number of participants starts to get lower, the competition starts to get tougher. As such, the characters’ must adapt and evolve quickly in order to survive. It makes the transition of someone like Isagi’s character from thoughtful teammate to a “devourer” seem appropriate because of what he has to strive for in order to stand on top and use his teammates to stand on top. So it uses the tropes to it’s advantage because it is so ingrained in the plot as to what the show wants to be and what it wants to show.

Characters: 9.5/10

Isagi’s character arc is one of the highlights of the show for me because, like I said earlier, it is the opposite of a typical sports protagonist. Isagi starts off by relying on his teammates and tries to play it as a team sport, but slowly realises that in order to survive Blue Lock, he has to try and think how he, himself, must be the one to bring victory. Instead of relying on his teammates, he must use them in order to succeed. That’s a crucial point, he doesn’t go hero ball and try to do it alone, but tries to figure out way to use his teammates skillsets to set himself up for victory. What I also like about him is his constant desire to evolve his game; seeing how he can bring victory by “devouring” his opponents. How he must take himself apart and then put back together, represented by puzzle pieces. It gives him something to achieve, something to strive for as he looks for stronger opposition to improve, otherwise he’s just going to stagnate.

It’s also helped by the supporting cast around being just as fun to watch and Isagi and what helps is that the show isn’t always strictly focused on Isagi and we actually get to know more about some of these other characters as well and what drives them to play football. But what makes it interesting is that each of these characters have their own kind of Ego. Yes they all strive to be the main character but they go about it in different ways. For example, Barou, the king, the lad, the man that has the dog in him has an ego where he is the king of the field and everyone around him are just peons, regardless if they are his teammates or not. Give him the ball and you will win. Whereas you got someone like Nagi, who’s own ego strives from him to join people who will get the best out of him and gets him excited to play football. They all strive for self importance and to be the best on the field but it’s the way they go about it differently that makes them stand out individually, besides their individual skills.


Animation: 5/10

Blue Lock’s animation is pretty much hard carried by its presentation. The show just nails the intensity of each football match with great angles and just capturing the look on our character’s faces to really sell that these characters are giving their all. The use of colour as well is well used; with it being distinct with each character and is mainly used to capture their fiery passion. That aspect of the animation works to its advantage to hide the fact that this isn’t a well animated show. It relies heavily on still images and sliding panels to capture each scene and while each panel looks good, it doesn’t capture motion well, only really saving it for the most important scenes, mainly when Barou is on screen to steal the budget. It is a shame because we see that this show can be animated well and it does, it just doesn’t do it often enough. That’s why the presentation makes it better than it is because you can capture the look of an intense football match and not worry about how fluid it is.

It’s also really inconsistent with its use of CG. I’m fine with the football being CG as it works well and I really do like it when it’s used with Isagi putting himself together using puzzle pieces to represent how he is evolving his game. The use of CG there is done really well. Other times it’s used poorly, mainly when we are looking from a bird’s eye view and characters are CG to capture movement and it just sticks out like a sore thumb.


Sound: 9.5/10

I usually don’t talk about sound design in reviews because anime tend to use to same sound effects so it just blends into one another. But my god does Blue Lock’s sound design kicks so much ass. The wind of someone running past you, the power of a shot kicking into the back of the net, capturing the moment before the strike, Blue Lock’s sound design really enhances whatever is on screen and it’s how it is used as well. Sometimes the music would stop just so we can hear it before kicking back in.

That’s not to take away from the soundtrack itself as I really liked this soundtrack. It has a nice blend of dubstep, techno and electronic with some piano in there as well. They are not really genres (besides maybe electronic) that are high among my favourites but the show puts them to really good use and spreads them out well. What sells it I think are the beat drops. That sudden pause isn’t just to let the sound design do its work, it’s also used to drop that hard beat at the climax for that added effect. It also tends to focus on a specific genre when one character is the focus. For example, Barou is usually associated with an electric guitar that goes really hard with it being really heavy to signify that the king is on the prowl and you best not get in his way.

Then there are the openings. The first OP “Chaos ga Kiwamaru” by Unison Square Garden is a very good opening. It is very nicely paced so that the visuals can match the pace of the song and how it times itself when switching scenes with the lyrics. The visuals themselves are well done, seeing the Blue Lock participants fall as Ego grins, knowing he’s got them in the palm of his hands, the puzzle pieces and showcases the more important characters’ weapons. It just gives you a taste to what’s to come and is accompanied by a song that is able to match what is going on what’s on screen.

But while the show’s first opening is very good, it’s the second opening that absolutely steals the show here. “Judgement” by ASH DA HERO is without a doubt, my favourite OP from this season. First off, that guitar. Second, the colour pallet used here is so good. It makes the whole OP feel so vibrant; especially during the chorus where it looks so damn good. It’s to the point where almost every frame can make a damn good wallpaper. Third, the tone is appropriate for the second cour, as if Isagi is not prepared to lie down and submit. No he’s going in with everything he’s got and with a change of attitude. And Fourth, the song is so damn catchy with the way it uses those instruments to get you pumped. Again, that guitar, but the drums at the end were also very well used. All complimented by that last shot of Isagi grabbing that last puzzle piece with a grin on his face and with a fiery desire to win as it cuts to the title logo. This is such a fun opening to watch and listen to and I really can’t stop listening to it. Again, this is easily my favourite OP of the season, as well as easily being top 3 this season at least. Great, great OP.

As for the EDs, they’re pretty good. "WINNER" by Shuugo Nakamura is a rather standard OP that has a very nice calming song to wind down after the tense action of the episode beforehand. Although, it is a nicely animated OP with some good visuals. Same goes for,"Numbness like a ginger" by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN. It is also nicely animated as well although I do like the song more in this one and it’s mainly the instrumentals that made me prefer this over Winner.


Conclusion

Blue Lock is an absolutely fantastic time that really offers something different than the usual standard. It’s emphasis on individual actions to improve and win games is different than your typical, win through teamwork, mentality that is the base of a lot of other sports anime. I guess that what makes me gravitate towards it more than other sports anime because I can watch any of these popular sports anime and see the base groundwork for the rest of the show to follow. Blue Lock flips that groundwork on its head to be more unique while still doing some things that feel similar.

Through an intense and engaging storyline, well developed characters, very good presentation, excellent sound design and OST, as well as probably having the best OP of the Winter season, Blue Lock offers a very enjoyable experience that has made it my favourite show to watch for the past two seasons now. But again, this isn’t for someone who is looking for a traditional sports anime, this is for someone who is looking for something different than the norm although you can still like this if you are looking for something more traditional. It’s just so fun and gripping to watch to see a main character develop in the opposite route to become the main man, rather than just a cog in the machine. It is a show that I highly recommend as one of the best anime of the past few seasons and I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next.


My Personal Enjoyment: 10/10


Overall Score: Recommendation: 8.6/10 Recommendation: Go F**king Watch It

Out of all the shows that aired in the Fall season last year, from the ridiculous hype of Chainsaw Man to the return of Bleach, there was no show I was more curious as to see how it would turn out than My Hero Academia season six. There’s little denying that My Hero Academia has been on a slow decline ever since the midseason climax in season three. The show has just never seemed to recapture the hype and emotion of that moment and has been going through the motions ever since. Each arc just seemed to get more boring and following the status quo ... to the point where we just seemed to start getting a bit apathetic with the series. The haters were starting to get more justified and more importantly, it was no longer the big dog in the battle shounen space. When MHA was at it’s peak, there wasn’t really a show that could compete. Sure The Seven Deadly Sins existed, Boruto...well I’m sure Naruto fans will tell you how they feel about that one and Black Clover was around the corner when season two aired, they could not compete with MHA. It was only until the release of Demon Slayer, Jujitsu Kaisen and Black Clover getting better that were able to capitalize on MHA declining to usurp it as the top dog.

My point being is that season six felt like a make or break season (for me at least). Season five featured probably the least interesting arc in the series that very much felt like filler and the much hyped “My Villain Academia” arc being butchered because they had to sacrifice a few episodes to promote the third movie, but those few episodes did feature perhaps the best moments from the season with the Todoroki family drama. It couldn’t start off slow like the previous seasons, not with the way it set itself up. It had to come out swinging to get people engaged again otherwise people would just not care. It would very much feel like it was going through the motions again and the same problems that was creeping up in previous seasons would start rearing their ugly heads again. If this season failed, then apathy would have fully set in for how long this series plans to go for.

So what did I think? Was this series a step back in the right direction? Honestly yes. This has been the most enjoyment I’ve had in MHA since season three and it actually might be my favourite season to date and there are three main reasons as to why I think so.

Reason 1: It spends no time p**sing about

A problem that seems to get worse with each season is that each season needs to spend sometime just reintroducing everyone and remind us what has happened before getting to what’s actually new. It makes it feel slow and as more seasons have aired, it just gets more and more annoying when you know who they are, what their quirks are what has happened, only for it to keep reminding you each season. This season is not the case. It gets right to the point and right where we left off from season five and continues on from there. It speeds up the pace and as such, improves engagement because we have got some interesting stuff to begin with. It know what we want, so it gets right to it. It gives us that immediate engagement to get invested quickly and efficiently.

Reason 2: Changes to the status quo

The show’s story was starting to get too formulaic for its own good where one arc would focus on school stuff and the other would focus on the big bad villain(s) of the season and how our characters would stop them. It was solid at the time but as the tone and story shifted away from the school stuff to be more serious, society shaking stuff, the school stuff just got in the way. I know the show is called My Hero Academia but the school stuff was gradually getting more in the way and the important things that were happening outside the school where the world was getting ready to be shaken up; which they kept teasing how fragile the Hero Society is but never did anything drastic with it. This season however, we finally get some payoff of multiple seasons worth of world building that actually has some serious impact on the story, the world and the characters in a way that we really haven’t seen since the season three halfway climax and it’s done so in a non formulaic way where its not trying to do half and half. It’s treating it like, “This is real and this is happening” sort of way that has significant impact on the show going forward and it gets me excited to see what happens next.

Reason 3: It’s just exciting to watch again

Of course whatever reason you may have, the most important thing is that, “Is it fun to watch?” Seasons four and five were honestly routine and boring and nothing we have not seen before. Season six felt refreshing as there are really big stakes in this season. Character revelations that make it interesting. The action felt intense and weighty. Knowing that if the hero’s fail, the consequences could be catastrophic. It felt like everything that MHA has been building up, the storylines that have been progressing and everything that was teased was meant for this season to be the culmination of all that and with everything behind that, it made this season felt like this was the season it was going to have to deliver and in my opinion, it did.

Combining these three reasons helped make season six the most impactful to the series in terms of engagement in the narrative and its characters. By doing some things different, it made for a more enjoyable experience that makes me excited for what the series brings next. It actually makes me excited to watch My Hero Academia again because of how well this season delivered. Through its twists, revelations and shakeups to show’s world building, season six feels different than other seasons and considering where the series was going, it was meant to be a good thing. But that’s all in the story and character department, what about the production department?

My Hero Academia has always been solid in terms of art style and animation and it can get better when it needs to. I understand why people complained with the animation when you look at Mob Psycho 100 season three which Bones was making at the same time as this season. But Mob’s simplistic and rough art style allows for that added flexibility to go nuts with the animation. Whereas MHA is more visually presentable. This season is no different, it still continues that good art direction and solid animation and get better when the scene calls for it. Although, it has slightly improved, mainly because there is constant action this season so the animation has to catch up to make the scene more exciting.

The sound department I think stands out a bit more. I thought the show’s ost was really good this season. It mainly comes down to how well it’s used to set a tone and mood but I thought this season in particular is where it packed a punch. It flows along really well with what is going on screen and does its job of enhancing whatever scene its in. Whether it would be something ominous or to ramp up the action. The ost certainly delivers in that space.

As for the Openings and Endings, they are a mixed bag with it leaning towards the negative side. The first opening by SUPER BEAVER has a very nice comic book aesthetic for the first half of it, but then it ditches the comic book aesthetic and it just devolves into another bog standard MHA opening with the song not really doing much to shake that feeling and it ends being kind of forgettable. However, It’s this season’s second opening, "Bokurano" by Eve, that makes this a mixed bag because I think this is one of the best MHA openings. It mainly comes down to two things. First, the tone of the opening is refreshingly different from other OPs due to it being rather grim but has bright spots of hope; helped by the song being more positive as it goes on and the animation looking really good. Definitely one of my favourite MHA openings.

As for the EDs, I’m not really a fan of either of them. The first one is very average. Titled, "SKETCH" by Kiiro Akiyama is about as average when it comes to EDs, using still images and using overly long shots of Deku and Shigiraki, even though I thought the song was fine. The second ED is hardly better. For most of it, it just uses screenshots of previous seasons until it has a nice moment with all of Deku’s classmates from U.A. But it just really bugs me when it reuses scenes from previous seasons and it takes up the majority of the ED so I just think it’s lazy.

Conclusion

My Hero Academia season six is a step back in the right direction for the series. Being the best season we’ve probably ever had. With its change of pace and nonstop action, season six felt refreshing after the last two seasons were letdowns and staggered any momentum the series had. Now it feels like it’s starting to get that momentum back and I’m all for it. I didn’t want this series to shrivel and die as we’ve seen too many popular shows have the same thing happen. So this season does give me hope that MHA won’t go the same way. Of course, the ball is now in its court. It now has to continue this return to form and not lose it again. I hope it doesn’t though, I like MHA. So here’s hoping that the future is bright.

Story: 8.5/10
Improved pacing and changes to the status quo makes this a more enjoyable narrative to follow

Characters: 8/10
Character revelations and significant growth improves on what was starting to grow stagnant.

Animation: 7.5/10
Continues to be very solid, helped by the constant action this season provides.

Sound: 6/10
Soundtrack put to really good use here, but hampered by lacklustre OP and EDs.

My Personal Enjoyment: 8.5/10
The most fun and excitement I’ve had watching MHA in a while.

Overall Score: 7.7/10 Recommendation: Watch It

Every year seems to have that one big new Isekai to try and grab everyone’s attention. 2021 was Mushoku Tensei, 2020 was My Next Life as a Villainess, 2019 was Shield Hero, etc. While they do vary in popularity, the point being is that while we do get multiple Isekais, these are the ones that stand out in their respective years. 2022 felt like a rather quiet year for Isekais, with only a couple of notable new ones like Isekai Ojisan and Trapped in a Dating Sim, but the big standout one would probably go to the anime I am reviewing today, The Eminence in ... Shadow. As part of the (when you look back now) VERY STACKED Fall 2022 season, this one definitely felt like the big new Isekai release of the year and Light Novel readers swearing by that it was one of the funniest things they’ve read. Well I took upon their word and decided to see for myself. As for what I think? We’ll I’ll tell you.

So while you think about how to perfectly greet and show off to your friends in 3rd person, I’ll present my review for The Eminence in Shadow. Let’s begin.


Story: 7/10

The Story follows Cid Kagenou, a young man who desires one thing, power and lots of it. However, it is only until he is Isekaid by Truck-kun where he can fulfil that desire. Reborn in a fantasy world, he finds the power that he has been looking for. Using this newfound power, he begins his new life. By day, a common background character, but underneath, the vigilante, “Shadow” and with others he rescues with the promise of power, he forms Shadow Garden and fights against the Cult of Diablos, worshippers of the Daemon King, or at least what he makes up.

With the way that people were talking about how funny this is, I was expecting to be laughing right off the bat, but that wasn’t really the case. If anything, it was more amusing than funny, with only a couple of scenes that did give me a good laugh. It wasn’t really till episode five with the infamous, “I Am Atomic”, scene where my opinion started to change and I started to find this show really funny. That’s the main thing I criticize the show’s story for and that is how slow it is to get going. It did take a while to get into a groove to make me appreciate its intentions because it’s obviously trying to find its footing. It’s trying to set itself up and establish those intentions but it is slow in the process, leaving it a bit underwhelming. But it was after episode five where my opinion stated to change because it was now establishing its identity. Again, the “I Am Atomic”, scene was the turning point for me because it was something so over the top funny and such a big, pivitol point in the plot that it made me realise that now it is now fully telling you what kind of show it is. Plus, it’s just such a good scene; a perfect microcosm as to what kind of character Cid is and it still makes me chuckle just thinking about it. Even now as I am writing this sentence.

After that, the show definitely hits its stride because now we know how the story goes about and what kind of character Cid is. One of the main things that makes this show funny is how far Cid’s bulls**t is actually true where he made up the Cult of Diablos only for it to be true but he doesn’t realise it. The rest of Shadow Garden know it to be true but Cid only goes along with it because he’s got to maintain appearances as Shadow. The show has the same mindset as Cid and that is how much of a spectacle can we make it and then time it correctly for extra dramatic effect. Once you start realising the lengths Cid will go to for that extra dramatic effect. The best part about that is that the show doesn’t need to tell you all the time about how Cid plans to show off, you can just assume to be the case. That does help make scenes like that funnier because you know the lengths Cid will go to make an interaction that more intense and dramatic but doesn’t need to tell you because you already know. It may hint at some things but never directly tell you. The power of imagination works wonders and the show uses that to its advantage to make a scene that much funnier.

One thing about the plot though that I’m conflicted on though is how convenient the plot can be at times. This is because how prevalent the Cult of Diablos is and how wherever they go or whatever they do, the cult is going to be involved or these characters are related to the cult in some way. It gets a bit tedious that the cult will show up in some way without much build up to it. That being said, it’s a double edge sword as while it can get tedious, it can get pretty funny when Cid somehow stumbles upon this yet is too in his own head to put one and two together, so he just goes along with it. So it is both a good and a bad thing because it does work when you look at it one way, but at the same time, doesn’t when you look at it the other way.


Characters: 7.5/10

Cid is the heart and soul of this series as most of the show’s humour usually revolves around him. At his core, Cid is essentially a Chunibyo as he tends to act as to how he sees fit. You see, Cid thoroughly thinks how he approaches various situations and how he thinks he should act. He roleplays as multiple characters and thinks hard as how to go about it in order to maintain appearances in order to not raise suspicion from other people. He’s kind of like Ainz Ooal Gown from Overlord in a way, but whereas Ainz is forced to roleplay his evil lich avatar, Cid willingly roleplays as different characters. Whether it be a nobody background character or the vigilante Shadow, he will be thorough as to how he should approach it with one goal in mind, to make it look cool. Well, what he thinks is cool, for us it can come off as cringe (but the good kind). This makes it funny because it’s the lengths and intricate details he’ll go to to make it as dramatic as possible for added effect because in his mind, it would make the whole thing cool and badass even though it comes across silly to us yet shocks the people he engages with. But that is only half the time as the other half is him either trolling people for fun or he is just simply winging it, which just makes his antics funnier. The best part is, like I said in the story section, he doesn’t need to explain everything he’s going to do to us because we can put one and two together to realise how far he thought this out. Whether it would be a duelling tournament or the “Excalibur” scene or even just stealing a piano just because it would make him look cool. It really does help with the show’s humour that he acts like this and is the main highlight of the show.

As for the members of Shadow Garden, I’m a bit conflicted. On one hand, their personalties are clearly defined to understand what kind of character they are. But on the other hand, I feel like we don’t get enough time with them to get to know them better, especially compared to some of the other supporting characters in this series. Hell, if you haven’t watched the Kagejitsu! skits, you barely get to see characters like Zeta and Eta. Granted, the cast of characters is quite large and some have more significance to the plot than others, but considering their importance, I kind of wanted it to be a bit more balanced out because when it comes to screen time, Alpha and Beta take up a lot of it.

Really, it’s the cast outside of Shadow Garden that take the spotlight, mainly Alexia. Alexia is easily the best character in the series outside of Cid. She provides just as much good comedy as Cid does due to her headstrong nature, her short temperament and the fact that she will tolerate no s**t from anyone. It is mainly her interactions with Cid/Shadow that brings out the best of her, whether that be for serious moments or more commonly, the show’s comedic moments, with episode eleven probably being the best between the two. It’s kind of surprising how much staying power she has as I thought she would be a one and done character but I’m glad she wasn’t and does stick around for the rest of the story.

Honestly though, this show’s cast kind of reminds me of Overlord’s cast (to use that comparison again) because no matter how big or small the role they play in the story, they will always leave some sort of impression to make them stand out and more recognisable and most of them do get their own time in the spotlight to shine. It’s the same with The Eminence in Shadow as it is with Overlord as despite some criticism with the screen time of some important characters, it does do things similar to Overlord where it will do its best to make the characters distinct from one another and honestly, I do think it did work and helped the cast as a whole enjoyable to watch. Hell, with the little screentime Delta, Gamma and Epsilon get, they do make it worth it; along with other characters like Iris, Rose or even Cid’s sister Claire.

Although there is one blemish to that however with the cast and that is the villains and how they are pretty much forgettable and very comically evil, but it makes it more funny when their hubris is shot when Cid hands their asses to them on a silver platter. But that just means they are merely vessels to make Cid and the rest of Shadow Garden look better.


Animation: 7.5/10

Studio Nexus takes the reign for this series who’s last anime was all the way in Winter 2020 with the death game anime, Darwin’s Game (yeah, remember Darwin’s Game?). Anyways, the animation for The Eminence in shadow is generally good. The fights are done well enough where they don’t feel a bore to watch, especially in the last few episodes. That being said, some of the best scenes do happen when the animation is at its best with how they frame it to give that added effect, especially when Cid is trying to act cool. Character designs as well help with making each character more distinct from each other. It’s easier more often than not to tell which character is which by their looks. Hell, Cid’s design, for as generic and boring as it looks, actually fits the background character motif he was going for. And that generally goes for the rest of the cast as well as they pretty much look how they act. That may come of as looking generic but they do just enough to avoid the bog standard design and yet still fit the character with the personality.


Sound: 7/10

What I like most about the show’s soundtrack is how it is used. While it doesn’t apply to all pieces of the soundtrack, some of the songs are used for both the show’s action scenes and the show’s comedic scenes and it is still effective in both scenes because the context is pretty much the same, just done in different ways so it doesn’t fell like it’s copying itself. The best example is “Shadow” where it is used primarily as a battle theme for Cid but a part of it is also used for the “Excalibur” scene because the characters who are interacting with Cid are at awe because of him; for different reasons (wink wink, nudge nudge). But other than that, I really do like this soundtrack; being able to match the scene really well and it never tries to up the tempo that much, mainly staying cool and collect to match the main protagonist but when it wants to, it can reach the climax of a scene and match whatever is happening on screen to give that big payoff.

Unfortunately though, I’m not a big fan of the OP and the ED. Which is a shame really because I’m a fan of OxT yet this OP, “Highest”, just doesn’t do it for me. I think the main reason is that I just don’t think it has a catchy rhythm to it, unlike OxT’s other OPs. It just feels like it’s stumbling through it yet still trying to salvage something. The visuals are nicely animated and it does convey what each member of Shadow Garden is like well, but it also feels hollow and doesn’t really tell you what the show is about or what it’s like. Plus, being set in a modern setting just honestly doesn’t make sense. I know we’ve had OPs before that don’t convey the show clearly, but unlike those, it doesn’t clearly hint what kind of show this. It is an okay OP but this definitely feels like one of OxT’s more weaker performances and with this OP coming off right after “HOLLOW HUNGER” from Overlord IV, which I believe was one of the best OPs from last year, just makes this one feel even more lacklustre.

Same goes with the ED, or rather EDs because there are different versions but they are still the same ED. Titled, “Darling in the Night”, it’s sang by one of the members of Shadow Garden (Or rather, their VA) who sings while their character is revealed slowly in a fan service shot. I’ll be honest, I did find these quite boring because again, it just feels so slow and I thought the song was meh, regardless who sang it. So yeah, despite having a really good OST, the OP and ED just don’t match it.


Conclusion

Despite it’s slow start, The Eminence in Shadow is a show I had a really good time with. I thought its humour was very funny once you fully grasp the show’s intentions. I thought the cast of characters were generally good and fun to watch and the animation and OST was surprisingly good. I thought these elements were put to good use to make a very entertaining anime that I didn’t think of much to begin with. That’s the thing, I didn’t think I would end up liking the show as much as I did. First impressions when compared to expectations were disconnected from one another. Yet I gave it a chance and I was rewarded. Between the cringe yet badass scenes, the intricate roleplaying, the well used OST, Alexia...just in general and just knowing what it wants to be and goes with just makes this a lot better than what it was looking out to be. Does it have flaws? Yes, that much is clear, but some of those issues can be fixed with another season. Now that is not a guarantee but I believe it can happen.

It is a show where you just need to go along with the flow to enjoy it but doesn’t make it hard to go along with it and once you do, you’ll find a show that definitely punches above its weight and is probably the most enjoyable new Isekai to come out in 2022, Is it the best though? It’s honestly debatable between this and Isekai Ojisan. Of course, if you are a fan of Overlord like me, then you are just going to have a field day with this one as the similarities are quite strong.

It isn’t an Isekai that is going to shatter people’s feelings of the genre, but it is a fun one and that is what really matters.


My Personal Enjoyment: 9/10


Overall Score: 7.6/10 Recommendation: Watch It

HELLLOOOOO FELLOW DEGENERATES!`

It is I, also a fellow degenerate, here to tell you today that this show is exactly how you thought it was going to be. Nothing but pure echhi goodness and tiny bit of bestiality thrown in there. I mean come on, the protagonist is a dog, what did you expect was going to happen? It is nothing more, nothing less.

The “plot” as it were, follows a high school student who get transformed into a cute dog. Don’t question how is that possible, it just happens. He gets picked up and taken home by a fellow classmate of his, the cold ... and distant Karen Inuki, who has taken a liking to him and opens up from her shell to pamper him. Despite that however, he is determined to get back home and get out of the predicament he’s in.

The show is very much exactly what it says on the tin, our protagonist is a dog and gets caught into some predicaments that justify the echhi tag, but it’s okay because he’s a cute dog, he’s innocent and just curious, even though he has full awareness of what he’s actually doing…kind of. This is because it’s more or less setup as accidental mistakes that leads us to the show’s ecchier moments, yet sometimes it is more forceful. It has the typical clichéd, “oops, I tripped onto something I shouldn’t have”, moment but it also has a “FULL THROTTLE, POW!”, moment to dive in head first and knowing exactly what’s going on.

The characters are basic stereotypes that are void of personality outside of those stereotypes because this show doesn’t have time to deliver character development, it must get to the fan service as quickly as possible. Each episode only lasts twelve minute and take away the OP and ED, it only lasts ten, so it has no time for unnecessary things, it must get to the good bits.

As for the animation, it’s solid. Studio Quad takes the reigns here who’s only other work was an underrated gem from last year, Miss Kuroitsu from the Monster Development Department, which going from that to this is something. As for this show in particular, it does the job that needs to do to deliver the echhi goodness. Although making it first person from our protagonist’s perspective for at least half of the episode’s runtime does make things interesting to say the least, especially for some scenes. As for sound, there isn’t anything interesting here. Nothing sticks out and isn’t really the main focus.

Listen, when you look at this show objectively, it’s s**t. It doesn’t do anything that can convince you otherwise and it is, unashamedly, an echhi series at its purest sense. On the other hand, because it has no shame for what it is, it is more enjoyable that way. It is, in essence, a pure degenerate show and the fact it is only half the runtime of a typical anime episode makes it short and snappy. Ecchi series I’ve have watched lately from previous seasons tend to drag when it doesn’t have anything of substance besides it’s echhi scenes. This one being shorter makes it easier to digest.

Look, you know what you are getting into when watching this, there is no denying that. Again we are fellow degenerates. We know what we want and as such, I only recommend it if you are just looking for some pure, ecchi, degenerate goodness with nothing else to bog down the experience. Which, to be fair, makes it more enjoyable than some other echhi shows lately.

Anime director Tomoyuki Itamura has a knack of creating some very good vampire anime. This man is the mastermind of the Monogatari series and we know how popular and beloved that franchise is. He also has worked on another vampire series you’ve probably heard of named, Vanitas no Karte, which has been one of my favourite anime series to come out over the past year. But what makes them special is they are unconventional. They aren’t your typical vampire hunting series nor are they excuses to give your protagonists powers in a shounen anime. They subvert your expectations, are very amusing and very horny. So ... what does he direct next? Another vampire anime that is different from his previous works, being a more relaxed anime to chill out with. And you know what? I would say it worked.


So let’s put on a vinyl and chill out to some music as I present to my anime review for Yofukashi no Uta. Or by its English name, Call of the Night. Let’s begin.


Story: 7/10

Our story follows Kou Yamori, a middle school student who suffers from insomnia due to his lackadaisical nature and roams the street at night. He eventually runs into a girl named Nazuna and they start hanging out together. However, Nazuna turns out to be a vampire and Kou is interested by that so much that he wants to become a vampire himself, but in order to do that, he must be bitten by someone he loves, which he has no interest or experience in.

The best way to describe the story would be low vibes. It’s not a story that is enticing or grabs you, but rather a story that basically just wants to chill and hang out. The best thing about it is that it works. For most of the show, it’s just having our characters just trying to find ways of having a good time at night and the night works to its advantage as well. Obviously, it was going to be set at night because, well vampires and its in the name of the English title, but it also gives a more relaxed feel to it. There’s no crowd, the roads are quiet and you can be alone with your thoughts until you find someone else alone to chat with. It could be just general things or chat about things going on with your life. The relaxed low vibes this show provides gives it a unique feel to it. It’s not trying to do anything ridiculous to try and stand out, it’s just trying to have a good time and enjoy that time you have right now.

That’s not to say there isn’t much of a story going on. Obviously, you have Yamori wanting to turn into a vampire but by the end of this season, it ain’t that simple. It does at the start but as more things get clarified, it does make things interesting to throw a spanner in the works and change Yamori’s view on this. There are both benefits and consequences to becoming a vampire unsurprisingly but it never really takes them seriously. It just warns you about them and it’s Yamori’s decision if he ultimately wants to or not. It hardly becomes the focus of the story though, or at least, doesn’t take it that seriously because it doesn’t want to break the vibes this show provides. It’s both good and bad because it doesn’t make the show break character but never treats the real dilemma that seriously than it needs to be and can hurt the narrative. If anything, it tends to lean on the pros more than the cons and only really showing the cons near the end of the season.

One last thing to mention is the writing and dialogue. I don’t really talk about this in reviews but considering that the show is having our characters hang out and talk, there is obviously going to be a lot of chatting. What would normally be boring ended up being enjoyable because they have interesting conversations about things. Could be serious, could be something trivial to just to have a laugh. It feels legit rather than artificial just to get these characters together because the plot demanded it. It helps with the whole, “hanging out”, vibe the show provides to keep face and not lose its identity. It would have been more boring if this aspect of the show didn’t provide interesting conversations between our two main leads. What also helps out is the chemistry between our characters which I will talk about next.


Characters: 7.5/10

Yamori is definitely a solid protagonist. He’s not a protagonist I don’t highly of because he’s not really anything special, personality wise, but he doesn’t do anything that makes you want to hate him. Basically, your average middle school protagonist. He does have a good heart and is a naive to think becoming a vampire is that simple. So they do give him some things to help him grow as a character. Give him some interesting dilemmas to think about. He does have one flaw in his character and that he is unable to understand the concept of love, which adds another wrench in the plan of becoming a vampire. This is where I think the show struggles a bit. While it does clear a clear understanding that you can’t force this, it doesn’t stop to think why it’s not working? Yamori has no idea about it because he has no interest in love so him trying to force it and not working makes sense because it’s not how it works. But it doesn’t do a good job to reflect that clearly its not working and doesn’t really seem learn from it. By the second half, that aspect feels less and less important as other issues with becoming a vampire. It’s a shame because it’s a flaw in his personality that could grow from but it seem like the show cares about that and doesn’t progress as the show goes on.

The cast around Yamori though is more interesting than him but makes it stand out is the chemistry between them. It’s not surprising though considering Vanitas also had terrific chemistry and while it is not on that level, they have interesting conversations that makes their bonds more interesting rather feeling forced. Which leads to our other main character, Nazuna. Nazuna is the kind of friend that just wants to goof around, drink beer and live a carefree life. Which is only elevated by Yamori’s more sensible nature to make Nazuna seen as more lively. It’s why I think the chemistry works because they only elevate each other and make their own characteristics stand out more and in turn, makes the dialogue more interesting. Having two of the same people wouldn’t work because there is no sharing of what they think or conflict for that matter because they will be thinking the same thing. It’s the basic principle when having two characters talk to have different opinions on certain things but can also agree on other things as well. This isn’t just with Yamori and Nazuna, it’s the entire cast as well. They all have personalties that bounce off one another and make them fun characters to know about and have agendas and ways to pass the time to make them stand out more. Obviously some more than others but the cast is a very well rounded group and I pretty much liked all of them.


Animation: 8/10

This is probably the best LIDENFILMS has ever been with their animation. Sure, it’s not the best but they do it in ways that make it look better than it is. This is the same guy who directed the monogatari series and you can tell he took liberties from that show and apply it here. The way the show frames its scenes with different angles and how it cuts from one shot to the next in quick succession. This is how the show gets away with it looking better than it actually is because it strikes rapidly to make it look like the animation is smooth but it is still pretty good. What really sells in the animation department though is the background art. It looks really good with the colours, how the night sky looks, it what helps give the relaxed vibe and it matches the tone of the show. To keep it low vibes, to make less serious and again, more relaxed. It switches its colours as well depending on where they are which is a nice touch. There are times where the show cheapens out for quick laughs and they’re fine. Some of them are effective others are just there. Character designs are simple but also effective and kind of reflect their personalties quite well. They look like what you would think they should look like with Nazuna being the standout, looking the most different out of all of them with her eyes, her slender body and her, “clears throat”, chest.


Sound: 10/10

This is arguably this show’s greatest strength, its ost. It really is a fun ost to listen to in a night setting and feels very appropriate. It mainly comprises of electronic, low vibe hip hop and some synthwave in here as well and goes so well with the show’s direction and atmosphere. It knows how when it wants to be light hearted, it wants to be more serious or it just simply wants to be a good time. It just helps that it’s set at night that the soundtrack stands out more and It helps with the low vibes the show’s trying to establish. What also helps is the insert songs from Creepy Nuts in there as well to spice things up while also not losing its identity. A very good ost and a highlight of the show for me.

Then there is the OP and ED that are both done by Creepy Nuts. I will just say, both of these have made me a fan and I would say they are OP and ED of the season respectively. The OP, “Daten”, is definitely the outlier of the ost because compared to the others, it’s fast, it’s loud but it is oh so fun to watch. I love the pace of this OP and it makes the use of the show’s colour pallet and framing well to help keep the same vibes in the rest of the episode. It translates really well to create a fun OP to watch visually. But that song is just a banger. It’s definitely the one part of the soundtrack that feels out of place but goes with the visuals so well. It’s something you would listen to if you wanted to go and party at night and you need to do it right now. It is such a fun OP to listen to and watch and is OP of the season for me.

Same goes for the ED. Titled, “Yofukashi no Uta”, it very much is a counterpart to “Daten” because it feels more slower, more cooler yet retains some of the aspects from the OP and the show in general. The colours, the framing and keeping the same vibes. The visuals mainly consist of Nazuna looking for a fun time to mess around and while it isn’t as creative as the OP, it is still fun to watch. Fun fact, the original manga was actually inspired by this song, hence why the show and ED have the same. I’m not as confident in saying this is ED of the season because “Let You Down” from Cyperpunk: Edgerunners is also really good, but I do think the song factor for Call of the Night’s ED gives it the edge because it’s a banger like the rest of the soundtrack.


Conclusion:

Call of the Night is one of the best shows to watch at night, in bed, wanting to settle down and looking for something to help you. Specific yes, but you don’t have a lot of shows like that where you can relax and yet have something interesting going on. It’s just a show where you can watch people hang out at night with a vampire twist to it so that we have some kind of overarching plot going on. It almost feels like a niche show honestly by doing these specific things to get maximum enjoyment. But sometimes, best experiences are enjoyed in specific situations. The low vibe feel, the well written and acted dialogue, the ost, the colour usage in the animation department. This is the kind of show you watch when you want to relax. It has problems, the romance elements aren’t explored as much and the vampire dilemma isn’t doesn’t take itself too seriously when it needs to be at times. But it provides an atmosphere and vibe to it, combined with its enjoyable cast and you can still enjoy yourself watching these characters hang out and enjoy the night. Simply put, it’s a good time.


My Personal Enjoyment: 8/10


Overall Score: 8.1/10 Recommendation: Watch It

Papa Bone Daddy is back ladies and gentlemen.

After 4 years, two seasons and a movie of Isekai Quartet and watching so many clips of the first three seasons, Overlord is indeed back. Now it goes without saying that I freaking love Overlord. I love how it constructs its world, it makes a story about overpowered characters enjoyable and is fleshed out by a large yet distinct cast of characters that are capable and have a purpose. It also is one of the best villain centric anime and makes them interesting and entertaining. Now sure, it ain’t perfect. Not every arc in the series hits ... equal highs, not all characters are interesting and the animation seems to get worse with every season. But Overlord gets what it does right so damn well. It makes for a really good anime in my opinion. So much so that it has become a top 5 favourite anime of mine. I even started listening to the Light Novels on Audible; currently on Volume 3 at the time of writing this review. So it’s fair to say that Overlord IV was my most anticipated anime this season. Now, there were some things I wanted to see in this season in particular which I will tell as the review comes goes on, but I also didn’t want it to lose sight at what makes this series enjoyable for me, especially since it has been a long wait.

So let’s bow TO THE GREAT SORCERER KING HIMSELF, AINZ OOAL GOWN as I present my review for Overlord season four. Let’s begin, shall we?


Story: 7.5/10

I will keep spoilers to a bare minimum but I imagine those reading this review are along for the ride like I am. But to summarize the setup, the sorcerer kingdom has been established and Ainz is looking to attract adventurers and traders to the kingdom and to patch up things with the Re-Estize kingdom. He also wants to look for the Dwarven kingdom for his curiosity of rune smithing and the resources the trade agreements will bring.

As is tradition when it comes to Overlord, world building takes top priority. Now that Nazerick and its denizens are more well known now, we need to see how the rest of the world reacts and responds. You obviously have the Re-Estize kingdom trying to maintain stability after what happened in season three, the Baramuth Empire and it trying to keep it’s relations between the Sorcerer kingdom and the Slane Theocracy balanced on good terms and the Slane Theocracy watching from the sidelines figuring how to deal with Ainz and his forces. The Slane Theocracy is the one that has gotten the least attention over the past three seasons and little has changed, although we find out more about their leaders, how they deal with things and their relation to the Empire, but I was hoping we could see more, especially with the two characters that were introduced at the beginning of season two and we still know nothing about them. To be fair though, it does sound like the Slane Theocracy will get more focus in the movie so that’s a wait and see. For now though, while it’s nice we got to know more about them, it just doesn’t feel like it’s enough.

As for the arcs, there are three this season. The first arc is a nice continuation from the last arc of season three and seeing how these nations reacted to the might of Nazerick and the establishment of the Sorcerer Kingdom. The second arc is focused on the dwarvern kingdoms and it’s honestly the weakest part of the season for me. Finally, the last arc addresses one of my expectations that I will get into. Starting with the dwarven arc, it does continue to show one of Overlord’s biggest strengths, it’s world building and giving it the time to let us see this world more and giving us good reasons for doing so. But in execution, it’s not done as well as previous arcs in the series. It’s mainly because of how it establishes these new characters. Overlord has a large cast but why that is hardly a problem is because of how they make use of their screentime by picking up things from their personality and thoughts without dragging it on and using them in the right moment to help establish them and giving them their own moment to shine, regardless of it being brief or not, to make them memorable and recognisable when they are on screen. For example, while Zaryusu Shasha has hardly appeared after the Lizardmen arc in season two, he still had his moment to shine when he fought against Cocytus to make him memorable and recognisable in later seasons. This arc lacks that, it lacks that kind of character moment that makes them recognisable. Not to say there aren’t any, probably the closest would be the leader of the Quagoa (a subterrian race at war with the dwarfs), Pe Riyuro and his tough decision he had to make for the sake of his people. But the dwarves don’t have that really, even though the focus is on them. Despite it being paced well and having some nice brief character moments, mainly with the denizens of Nazerick, it is an arc that doesn’t reach the highs of the series best due to it lacking that moment to make the characters stand out. Not to say they aren’t memorable, but given how Overlord operates, they might not get the time they need. That also doesn’t mean I don’t think they can’t get their moment to shine. This season has proved it can happen with Prince Zanac. But for now, you can recognise them but they lack a compelling moment to make them truly stand out.

As for the other two arcs, they both address one of the things I wanted to see this season do and that was give a sense of payoff to all of this world building. This is because this series is focusing on building its world and has nothing really to make use of all this world building The second arc was obviously to continue that world building but the first and third arc this season was more focused on delivering that payoff. We now see how the main three human nations react to a force that is overwhelming and what their best course of action is and does this by using its established characters while giving us some new ones and see what the next course of action is. This is what makes these two arcs work because of those characters and world it developed and uses them to make a big impact on the plot. Even more smaller details like how Ainz (not Momon) uses Clementine’ Stilettos in a gladiatorial fight. It takes its world building, characters and story moments and uses it in exciting ways to make these arcs fun to watch because now you are just seeing this all unfold and because it took its time to show it, it leaves a more lasting impact.

(This is going to be a long review for me to do, isn’t it?)


Characters: 9/10

Overlord’s other main strength has always been its characters. Overlord has never always focused on Ainz and likes to showcase the other characters of this world as well to help establish what this world is like and it has always been for the better. It helps change perspective on things from a different pair of eyes as to how they would react to a force that is beyond them and wonder if they will make out of this unscathed and wish the bad people get f**ked up for something we know they shouldn’t have. Following overpowered characters everywhere will eventually get boring so how about we look at it from another perspective, get to know them better and pray for their lives or wish they were killed if they deserved it What also helps is that they don’t throw everything at you, so you know they still have tricks up their sleeves. It what keeps Overlord’s overpowered characters refreshing and doesn’t fall into the traps of other power fantasy Isekai. Season four is no different. It still follows other perspectives as you will see but now the situation is on thin ice as anything could happen to provoke the Sorcerer Kingdom. One spark could set up a bomb that would annihilate everyone and now you see some characters trying to think their way around this, while others are just f**king things up for themselves and the people around them.

The three main characters that stood out this season was also the standout character from each arc. Like I didn’t do it on purpose, it just kind of went that way. So the first standout character from the first arc is easily Emperor Jircniv mainly because of his growing paranoia. It was very funny seeing him losing his mind due to him being downright terrified of the might of Ainz and the rest of the Socerer Kingdom. It was also a good continuation point after season three as to how he would react to what happened at the end of last season. Seeing a man who was prideful and smartly aware now has been reduced to the opposite of that was very entertaining as you now see how the power of Ainz Ooal Gown is affecting people who have lived to tell the tale. It addresses another thing I wanted to see this season is how will the people of this world who don’t bow down to Ainz react to a force that is seemingly way stronger than them and seeing Jircniv losing his mind to fear and paranoia is exactly the kind of thing I was looking for. Even if the truth would be muttered, he would still doubt it to be true and it’s nice to see one of my favourite characters from season three continue to be one of my favourites.

The second arc’s standout to me was Shalltear. After her blunder in season one that turned her into a glorified chair in season two, seeing her trying to redeem herself was really the main selling point of this arc for me. You could tell that she really is trying to take note of everything Ainz does to make up for her mistakes but also do what Ainz wants his subordinates to do and that’s think freely for themselves, which Shalltear also takes to heart. It just goes to show that its not just the characters outside of Nazerick that makes this cast feel lively but also the residents of Nazerick as well that help round out this cast and actually gives them excuse to have reasonable character development to monsters who don’t need to get any stronger and need other ways to give them growth.

The third arc’s standout is Zanac, prince of the Re-Estize kingdom and is probably the most distinct character this season because my word, there has been a complete 180 turnaround of his character. In season two, we were introduced to him as a snobby, greedy, fat b**terd of a Prince that you wouldn’t mind seeing perishing. This season though, a completely different perspective of his character, showcasing that he is a dauntless man that when push comes to shove, he will do what is right. It shows why the show’s focus on its supporting cast is just as important because without, you wouldn’t really care what happened to him and he would just be another name for Ainz and co. to roll over. But the fact we are given the time this season; we see his resolve, it changes your outlook on not just him, but all characters like Brain Unglass starting out as a thief in season one to a fearless warrior by the end of this season. Zanac is a prime example of this season however and is one of the highlights of this season as one of its standout characters.

That’s not to say the rest of the cast wasn’t enjoyable. Hell, for the criticism I had for the second arc, I still liked the characters that were introduced with the standout being Hejinmal, a bloated frost dragon who was smart enough to know that he didn’t stand a chance against Ainz and co. And then there is Philip, a poor noble and a complete delusional and cocky b**terd who thinks he can eventually get what he wants, even trying to win the favour of Albedo when we all know that he essentially planting his own death flag. Characters that have already been established get good moments. Albedo seems to get thirstier with each season and it’s very cool to see her and princess Renner hit it off. Ainz still seems to be winging it and it seems to get funnier with each passing moment when the situation gets bigger and more complex with the usual, “SASUGA, AINZ-SAMA,” to top it off. I could go on and on about other characters like the members of the Blue Roses, the Dwarfs, the other floor guardians of Nazerick, Pandora’s actor, but I think you get my point. All characters, no matter how relevant to the plot, can leave a lasting impression that will make them recognisable later down the line. While Ainz is the central character in all this and still easily stands out as one of, if not, the best Isekai protagonist in anime, it’s the cast around them that helps make this truly special. But like I said a couple of sentences ago, what makes Ainz just as good in this season as in previous seasons is that now that the situation is escalating, him basically going along with it is causing him more trouble than its worth and actually gives him a new different kind of challenge, rather than a straight up fight because we will know who would win.


Animation: 6.5/10

(Yep, it’s going to be a long review)

Animation was going to be interesting to watch because Overlord was slowly dipping in that aspect due to the increase use of CG that looked like ass. It was one of things I wanted to see this season was were they going to improve the CG? I can say though they have improved in some aspects in the CG department but in other ways, it looks like they’ve gone back to things we hated about it. Some of the CG problems last season had reared its ugly head here as well, with same face soldier syndrome that plagued last season has also appeared this season as well, although less egregious than last time thankfully. But there are some notable scenes in this show where the CG has improved when its less focused on massive blobs and more individual characters. The big fight in episode twelve is the big standout here where it has noticeably improved so it is actually a fun fight to watch. In terms of traditional animation, Overlord as always been solid in that department with the character designs as well helping them be more distinct from one another, although drawing them at a distance has not yielded best results. In summery there have been some improvements in the animation department but some things still hold them back.


Sound: 7.5/10

Soundtrack pretty much remains the same, being a grandiose feeling ost that can really sell a scene but also stand out in its own way. Here, it’s no different, it’s still used well and it still does well to enhance the scene its being used. It just sells the might of Nazerick by having something loud to tell you who is the real power here. But also have more light hearted soundtrack when it wants to step back and relax for a bit. One of my criticisms in season three though was the lack of standout new tracks. Here, it’s no different because the ones I remember being used this season, were the ones that were being used in previous seasons. Well, besides the one that played in the final episode. It’s still a great OST, don’t get me wrong, but it is still a gripe.

In terms of OP and ED, unfortunately, MYTH & ROID are absent this season which feels like a crime if you ask me. Their EDs were good while the opening from last season, “Voracity” was the best Overlord OP out of the three. Thankfully though, OxT makes their return with their best OP for Overlord to date. Titled “HOLLOW HUNGER,” this is probably the best I’ve heard from Oxt and I like it over the other two they’ve done because they don’t over rely on using vocaloid when singing the lyrics to the point you don’t know what they are saying like in OP 1. Listen, I like “Clattanoia” but that OP is starting to age quite badly in my opinion. And I think it’s used at the right tone, unlike OP 2, “Go Cry Go.” It strikes a nice balance if you ask me. I also love the instrumentals here because it’s pumping you up but also sound like something you would not usually hear from OxT. It’s smooth, it’s cool, it’s something that you want to learn how to tango under. This is something I can listen to again and again and not be fed up with. In fact, I have. Visuals as well are solid, showcasing its cast in fun ways and provides some brief but good action. If Yofukashi no Uta’s OP didn’t exist, this would be my OP of the season. Is it better than season three’s, “Voracity”? That’s up to debate really because it’s damn close.

Okay, so technically MYTH & ROID are not doing the ED but we do have a consolation prize with Mayu Maeshima, the original singer of MYTH & ROID and did the first ED for Overlord. Now she has done the performance for this this ED, titled "No Man's Dawn". Honestly though, I think It’s the weakest ED in the series. I’m not saying it’s bad but compared to the other EDs, I enjoyed this one the least. The artwork is still gorgeous to look at but that is a given at this point. I just feel like they ain’t creative with this one, showcasing the members of Nazerick in expressions that we already know what they are like, but does it in a way that feels plain. It lacks a bit of chaotic energy, or in the case of season three’s ED, a foreboding feeling (God that ED was so good). Maeshima puts in a good performance but the lack of creativity in the visuals hurts the performance more than it helps honestly. But it is paced and timed well to help make it better. Like I said, it isn’t a bad ED, far from it, but compared to the others, it feels like the weakest. I didn’t think they were going to top season three anyway. To me, they peaked there.


Conclusion:

Season four of Overlord provided me with what I was looking for this season. Some needed payoff, the continued world building filled with interesting characters and some improvement over the CG. The only thing I would say is a miss is probably new pieces for the OST. It did stumble in the second arc but was still solid and the other two arcs were really enjoyable and reminded me why I loved Overlord, it’s world and the characters in it. They really are the main selling points and there are few shows that will take their time to get to know their large cast of characters and give them some depth and character development. It makes what happens to them more meaningful and provides a bigger impact than it normally would.

It just makes me happy as a big fan that Overlord is back and also maintains the quality of enjoyment that was also provided in previous seasons. It really puts a smile on my face that we got more when it seemed like it wouldn’t happen, considering it was a rarity for Madhouse to do more than one season. The question is now is where do we go from here? Well there is a movie scheduled to be coming later down the line that will cover volumes 12 & 13, whereas this season covered volumes 10, 11 and 14. Side note, they better up the animation again for the movie. They can’t expect to get away with that quality. Then we may get an announcement of a possible season five two or three years down the line, since there are more volumes to cover but only two haven’t been covered yet. They might just wait until the light novel is finished to wrap it all up. Honestly, I’m not going to say where this one ranks among the rest of them, because it’s right to treat them one collective package that is needed to understand the whole picture that this series provides. One aspect briefly touched on one season could be expanded in another.

Overlord still remains one of my favourite anime of all time and I fully believe in saying that this season is worth a watch for people who like this show. Sure, it won’t change people’s minds that already down on this series but to each their own. I liked it and that is what matters to me.


My Personal Enjoyment: 10/10


Overall Score: 8.1/10 Recommendation: Watch It

(Jesus Christ that took a while to do. This is actually my longest review now. Editing going to be a pain in the ass isn’t it?)

(Update: Not as bad as I thought it would be.)