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(This review contains mild spoilers.) I went into this series having little in the way of expectations. The MAL rating at the time of writing is 7.75, which is kinda mid, so I had my doubts about the quality of the show. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the first 2-3 episodes, which were really charming, and hinted at an unusual love story between the protagonists, Haruo and Akira. I was very much looking forward to the next episode, thinking that I had found a severely underrated series. Sadly, the love story eventually turned into a love triangle, which is one of the most annoying ... tropes in anime (at least, if you've gone through several of them in your anime journey). As the story develops, Akira loses her charm and becomes cold, distant, and a Mary Sue: she's great at everything, although we do not see how she got those skills. She's also a violent tsundere, punching the wimpy Haruo to the point of making him bleed... and he just takes it. And yet we are supposed to believe that these two are destined to form a deep, mature relationship. Frustratingly, the other girl in the love triangle, despite being sweeter, prettier (imo), and putting more effort into her friendship with Haruo, gets left out, and we the viewers are left scratching our heads as to why. She appears in the opening credits briefly, which indicates that it's not her who' going to win out in the end. So why introduce her at all? The story also relies on the tired cliche where people don't express their true feelings (one is literally a mute), giving rise to misunderstandings and complications, in order to prolong the storyline. I have the impression that the main focus of this anime was to nostalgia bait people into re-living the old arcade games from the 90s, while the love story was just tacked on, choosing old tropes to fill in the gaps. Since I was never a very avid gamer, the depictions of 90s-era games never really grabbed my attention, and the love story falls flat mid-way through, so it failed to hook me on that end as well. Overall rating, 6/10. It had a lot of promise.

I picked up this series on the strength of the recommendations and the high rating it has here. The show started off strong in the first 3 or so episodes, so I thought the hype was really justified. However, it started to fall off by the middle and it just ran out of steam by the end. The problem with the series is that we begin with the main protagonists, Miyamura and Hori, but then we get introduced to so many side characters that the main love plot sort of gets pushed into the background. The main hook for me was the atypical love story ... where the lovers confess their feelings relatively early rather than dragging it out for 1 or more seasons. This twist on the trope was squandered by having to develop about a dozen story lines in 13 episodes, which is not really feasible. The result of that was that I didn't really care for most of the supporting characters, given how rushed their stories were made (some of them didn't even have satisfactory resolutions). Plus, not all of the characters are distinguishable from one another; I was confused many times, trying to figure out who was who and why I should care. Another puzzling aspect is that Miyamura, the boy protagonist, starts off as the typical kuudere high-schooler, but then does a 180 and is barely recognizable as a normie on the last episode. Because so much screen-time was given to side characters, we do not get a gradual and plausible transition for him. He has some moments of self-reflection, but they are very cliché, and leave so much of his personality unexplored. Lastly, as another reviewer commented, the vibe of the show is very saccharine: all the characters are over sentimental, some have deep issues with each other, and yet they all end up being best buddies by the end. I believe this is the main reason for the high rating: its over-the-top, feel-good scenes. But the manipulation was obvious to me, and I sorta resent that. It's not so bad that I would recommend against, though. It's just... whatever. 7/10.

What an experience of a movie. And what a turn it made from season 2 of the TV series! I had given the second season a 4/10 and didn't even finish the last 5 episodes. After some months of cooling off, I managed to finish it (I still would only give it a 5/10) because I was curious about the sequel film and didn't want to watch it without the proper context. But having just watched it, and feeling very emotional (and puzzled but in a good way) about the ending, I give it a solid 9/10. It was very well made. Not only is ... the animation and music superior, but the deep philosophical tone given to the story made it quite captivating and engaging. Sometimes the 2nd season would make attempts at smart dialogue, but it mostly came off as pseudo intellectual, especially coming from Koizumi. The movie is something else entirely in this regard. The deep insights come from the straight man, Kyon, so there is less fluff. Another thing that you'll surely notice is that the characters' emotions are conveyed very well, so much so that you actually feel the emotions yourself. Kyon's despair, for instance, when his world starts to unravel, hits really hard. The (re)introduction of each of the characters (you'll have to watch the film to know what I'm referring to here) also had me at the edge of my seat. Which, by the way, means that you'll probably want to watch the TV series first in order to get acquainted with the characters, so that the movie has this level of impact. Yes, season 2 is a let down. It might even make you quit the series altogether. My personal tip: watch just one or two of the Endless Eight episodes and power through the rest of the season. I can assure you: you will be rewarded by this film. Anyway, I hope this poorly written review will inspire you to give The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya a try.

Short review, with mild spoilers. Overall, a 7/10. The film captures the pure wackiness of the TV show, and all the characters stay true to form. The animation is a bit better than the TV series, but not much. Nice to have a longer story than the standard 23 minutes, although it could have benefited from some trims here and there. The biggest flaw, though, is the lack of development for our main characters, Lum and Ataru. I am not certain whether this movie is "canon", but if it is, then the writers should have taken this opportunity to flesh out our MCs in this ... longer format. Assuming the movie is actually episode 58.5, I am still at a loss, this far into the series, as to why Lum loves Ataru so much, to the point of possessiveness. One could argue that the question is nonsensical since this is a comedy, and Lum only got "married" to Ataru as a result of a funny misunderstanding. However, through the series (up to and including ep. 58), we've had serious romantic moments between the two. And yet Lum's over-devotion is never really explained. Ataru's resentment towards Lum has been explained a couple of times: he enjoyed being a Casanova before meeting Lum, and never planned on changing. The "marriage" to Lum spoiled his way of life. Despite this, Ataru has come to depend on her for companionship and affection. So we have a contradiction, a mix of feelings within Ataru. And the movie failed to resolve, or at least take steps towards a resolution of, this internal struggle. (Here follows the spoiler) For example, in the first act of the movie, Ataru, through no fault of his own, is tortured by both his high-school friends and Lum for an engagement he was not aware of. With the introduction of Elle, he now has a chance to renounce everything on Earth and start all over with a clean slate in another planet. This would have been a great moment for him to state clearly and decisively his reason for abandoning friends, family... and wife: he is unhappy. We get very close to something like this when he asks Lum: "If you really love me, then why can't you accept the way I live?". Alas, we get no answer. In the end, both return to the status quo. Nothing was resolved. And this is also my main complaint about the TV series so far (again, up to ep. 58). Nothing wrong with over-the-top episodic silliness, but if we're also gonna have serious moments, with the implied promise that our protagonists will develop a strong emotional bonding in the future, then we do need some moral progression. I'm hoping that this will eventually happen; there are still some 130 episodes left. But if that's the case, then this progression is extremely slow! Anyway, "Only You" is quite enjoyable as a comedy and an adventure, just don't expect much in the way of character development. Think of it as an extended episode.

The first season of Ijiranaide Nagatoro-san was one of my first animes, and it was personally an awesome experience. I never thought I would take such a liking to an animated romcom (especially at my age). It is the only anime that I've re-watched again and again: the comedy sketches are laugh-out-loud funny, and the characters are all of them so likable and endearing (none of that irritating, heavy-handed tsundere trope). So my expectations for season 2 were pretty high, and I was extremely nervous about whether it would deliver. Sequels tend to have a bad reputation, and have actually ruined a few good animes ... in my eyes. As I am writing this, I have just finished watching the second season... and it was amazing! I am happy to report that, unlike many other animes, it doesn't end with a cliffhanger. Instead it has a resolution of sorts like in the first season, such that even if the anime is not renewed, you can rest content at how things were left off. This is, after all, a romantic comedy, so a lighthearted, feel-good ending is all one should really need. Nevertheless, that ending was a real tearjerker!

Like the previous season, the anime is pretty faithful to the manga and the pacing is just right. I've read a few complaints about the show being slow, especially with regards to the protagonists, but I think they are misplaced. Speeding things up would only make the story rushed and less believable. Anyone who shares some of Senpai's traits will attest to this: you don't go from zero to chad just because you found someone. I should mention that there is one notable difference from the first season, story-wise: the latter half episodes are no longer made up of mini comedy sketches, but are one continuous story-line. This is because the characters go through serious development and the sketches are not strong enough to drive it. There is still a lot of laughs to be had, but the emphasis is more on the romance side of the romcom.

I'm giving this season a 10 as well. I'm surprised both the 1st and 2nd seasons have a below-8 rating on MAL: maybe most viewers don't empathize with Senpai? Or maybe they think Nagatoro is a bit too rough? Well, whatever: it was extremely relatable for me. I laugh every time I rewatch the episodes, and I even find myself psycho-analyzing the very-well developed characters. Few other animes pull me in that much. That's why I'm giving it my highest rating. Thoroughly recommended.

Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu, 2nd season, will be one infuriating anime show for you if you dislike bossy main characters who abuse others. That's because Haruhi is that kind of MC. Now, let me back up a little. In the second episode of the first season, Haruhi manages to get a PC for her club, but does so through blackmail with a false charge of harassment. It was supposed to be funny, I guess, but it almost made me drop the series right then and there. I simply do not like cruel behavior treated as a gag, especially if nothing compensates for it later on. ... Still, the ideas developed through the rest of the first season were compelling enough (i.e. Haruhi having god-like powers) to make me keep watching until the end.

Season 2, however, starts with the infamous "Endless Eight" (EE), and the show's pretentiousness begins to get on my nerves. There is no character development in the EE, and the conclusion of that arc is underwhelming, to say the least. A lot of people comment that sitting through the EE will give you a feeling for what the characters went through. But, that is false. The characters do not remember (with 1 exception), learn, or grow through the repetitions in the EE. So it's pointless to sit through all those episodes. By end of that arc, the sense of comedy is gone, at least for me. I'm no longer laughing or smiling. And the second arc that follows features even more cruelty on the part of Haruhi. Watching Kyon, the other MC of the show, I get the feeling that he is extremely frustrated with Haruhi and her tyrannical behavior, and yet does nothing. In fact, Kyon, Koizumi, and Nagato all see Asahina's tears at the hands of Haruhi, and they do nothing. How is this funny or acceptable? And this isn't slapstick comedy, by the way; the tone of the show is way too serious for that. Now, it's one thing for a character to be mean or bossy, as long as they have their comeuppance. This can be comical. It's quite another when cruelty goes unpunished and passed off as something to be laughed at. I could well tolerate a tsundere that is softened little by little through the series, just not a tsundere that gets worse and worse as times goes on. I wanted to complete this second season, but episode 12 was the last straw for me. I was grinding my teeth every time Haruhi was speaking.

I cannot recommend this show, or at least not this season.

A Gothic lolita who solves mysteries a la Sherlock Holmes. What's not to love? The idea sounds great, but in Gosick the execution is botched. As a fan of the detective genre, I really wanted to like this show, but its characters, especially the MCs, were a huge letdown. After enduring 13 episodes, I could not stomach any more. Victorique is a tsundere in the extreme, enough to make me slowly come to despise her. The last straw for me was when, in episode 13, she expressed getting satisfaction from seeing the suffering of Kujo, the male MC and her devoted companion. She says this ... in a very serious tone of voice, leaving no doubt that it's not a joke. There are many other instances of her disrespecting Kujo, but this scene in particular pushed me to drop the show. You'd think there'd be some character growth by the middle of the series; a bit of softening of Victorique's harshness. But no. As for Kujo, he started off well---He stands up for himself and even fights adults to protect others, seeing as he is the son of a proud Japanese soldier. But after the first couple of episodes, Kujo is transformed into the most pathetic simp. Here we have actual character regression on Kujo's part, going from strong and interesting to weak and boring. If Victorique were likable, maybe one could understand Kujo's wanting to win her favor. However, she's horrible to him, and he just takes it. Apart from the weaknesses of the characters, the stories are also not very compelling. Part of the enjoyment of a Holmes or a Poirot solving a mystery is having to guess whodunnit and then seeing the answer worked through very clever reasoning. Victorique's detective work, on the other hand, frequently lacks rhyme or reason. Therefore, there's no engagement of the viewer's reasoning capabilities. Add to that the plot contrivances, the weak supporting characters, and you have yourself an anime that is not worth your time.

I gave season 2 of Rozen Maiden a "Mixed feelings" rating because it seemed to me that the producers of that season either did not know how to tie up everything nicely at the end or simply couldn't for financial or other reasons. Well, they did it again! The first episode, as another reviewer notes, is a bit rushed and will probably disappoint seasoned viewers. However, the subsequent episodes put those doubts to rest and prove to be much more interesting and intriguing. The story moves slower and feels more mature and grown-up in comparison with seasons 1 and 2. I especially appreciated the character ... development of the MC, Shinku and Suigintou in the early part of the show. However, once the "action" starts about 2/3 of the way in, things start moving fast, and the same problems as season 2 reappear: there's a crescendo to what one expects to be a grand finale, but the finale falls very short. The difference is that this time it is much more obvious that another season was definitely expected because the ending leaves too many loose ends. Rozen Maiden Zurückspulen aired in 2013, and I am writing this in 2023. That's 10 years. I think it's safe to say that there won't be a new season. Thus, my rating has to be the same. There was definite potential here. If they had managed to tell the whole (new) story in 13 episodes, it might've been superior even to season 1. However, because things do not get resolved and we are left with a cliffhanger, what else but mixed feelings can the viewer expect?

By the way, season 2 viewers who found that a certain doll got a bit of an unfair treatment in the finale will find that they give her an even worse treatment in Zurückspulen. She was one of my favorites, and was quite saddened that she got so little screen time here. We can only hope that some day this injustice will be rectified!

I had great expectations of this second season of Rozen Maiden. Up until the last episode, I was thoroughly enjoying it. It was gearing up to be, in my opinion, better than the first season. However, the last episode left much to be desired. It's as if the writers did not know how to properly resolve all the conflicts, or perhaps they were confident in getting a third season and figured they would resolve them then. Sadly, this second season is the end for this version of RM. For this reason, I am left with many, many unanswered questions. For instance, why didn't Father tell ... the Rozen Maidens that there was another way from the beginning? During the whole season, Father is made to look like a tyrant who wishes to see his creations fight to the death in order for his ideal doll to come to life. That is fine; I agree he is a bad man. But then at the end Father comes to the rescue?! And suddenly the fights are not necessary? Who was the Rabbit? What was his purpose and why does he get to possess Rosa Mysticas? I feel like this is cheating. And poor Jun had no character development. Seeing him be helpless and useless in the last episode did not sit well with me. I can understand that the first season was all about Jun, and this second one was going to be focused more on the various dolls. But in that case, it would've been better to leave Jun out of the finale. All in all, the season is great... except the last episode. It's not terribly bad, but it does ruin it if your expectations were higher, in accordance with what was set up in the previous episodes. So, I'd recommend, but be forewarned that the ending will probably not satisfy you.

This is my first review of an anime show, so I will keep it simple. (SPOILERS!)

The show lacks a cohesive narrative. I saw up to episode 8, and was still at a loss as to what the whole thing was driving up to. I literally started dozing off by the middle of episode 8. There are a few good jokes here and there, but most of them seemed forced, buttressed by a lot of screaming (as if the more the character screams, the funnier it should be). The comedic misunderstandings were frustratingly stupid instead of amusing. For instance, the main character is supposed to be ... a sweet, charming girl, except that she comes across as sadistic because of her unusual stare and clumsy way of speaking. This worked the first couple of times, but it's a running "gag" that becomes less and less funny and plausible as the show progresses. Also, usually the love interest in these kinds of shows is made implicit and delayed in order to create some tension to be resolved in a satisfying ending. Here it's declared openly and insistently from the very beginning, so that there is no tension for us, the viewers. And yet, for some reason, the main character is somehow unaware of this obvious love interest. Lastly, the most unfunny part has to be, for me, the manager's character: too over the top in terms of wimpiness and lack of common sense. Again, I get the feeling that the authors thought that if the manager were just loud and obnoxious enough, he'd be funnier. What a shame!