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A solid and personal recap movie, featuring about 15–20 minutes of new content to celebrate Aldnoah.Zero's 10th anniversary. Some may question who the film is aimed at, but I was glad to experience it firsthand in Japan. Rewatching it reminded me of how innovative Aldnoah.Zero was at the time and why it built such a passionate fan base.

The opening wasn’t the strongest, as it rushed through Season 1 too quickly. This was disappointing since, for me, the tactical battles in the first season were some of the show's best moments. While Season 2 featured more battle scenes, much of the focus was on ... key dialogues between the main characters. This highlighted that, despite Aldnoah.Zero having a relatively straightforward story, the philosophical depth behind each character’s motivations was surprisingly thought-provoking.

The movie also gave me a greater appreciation for Season 2. This time around, it felt like the series was genuinely trying to raise the stakes and progress the story naturally. While the execution wasn’t perfect, and perhaps the creators were overly ambitious but the ideas and narrative still made sense. The newly added scenes provided a more satisfying conclusion, giving deeper insight into Inaho, Slaine, and the other characters.

This anime is overall quite decent and carries many uplifting and progressive messages. It's rare to see a show focused on art, especially one highlighting the role of women in the male-dominated art world of 16th-century Florence. Instead of delving deeply into technical terms or artistic knowledge, the show emphasizes the challenges of making a living and gaining respect as a woman in society. It also serves as a powerful illustration of the feminist movement, not as a fight to dominate or threaten men, but rather a call for equal opportunities for all genders.

Arte is the perfect protagonist for this theme: motivated by change ... and success in her beloved field, yet not harboring resentment toward those who doubt her. Her positive attitude ensures that any obstacles she faces become mere motivation to push harder. The main message of the anime is that, regardless of your actions or whether your goals clash with societal norms, if you work hard, you deserve respect.

While Arte’s journey is inspiring, the show can sometimes give the impression that hard work alone can solve all problems and lead to success, which isn't entirely accurate since life is rarely so straightforward. Another critique is the slow pacing of the story, which, while realistic, may not appeal to all audiences. Due to Arte’s personality and her societal position, the story sometimes lacks depth, and it might have benefited from a deeper exploration of the intellectual and technical aspects of art creation.

This anime has its fair share of flaws, but its positive energy and emotional depth more than make up for them. The story can be loosely divided into two parts: the first focuses on developing the group dynamic, highlighting character interactions and personalities, while the second shifts its attention almost entirely to the emotional and romantic aspects, particularly between the two main characters.

The show presents both a semi-realistic and somewhat idealized take on love. It feels realistic in the sense that not all relationships lead to a happy ending: some stories remain unresolved, and sometimes people hesitate to take the next step for fear ... of disrupting an already comfortable dynamic. At the same time, it also portrays an overly hopeful and somewhat unrealistic version of romance. Without going into too much detail, many of the things characters, especially the protagonist, do in this show would come across as borderline creepy in real life, yet they work here because everyone in the story is inherently kind and understanding.

Overall, the anime starts off feeling quite stereotypical, becomes genuinely enjoyable with its warm and friendly atmosphere in the middle, and then takes a turn towards the unrealistic near the end. While not groundbreaking, it was an okay watch, and I had a decent time with it.

This film resonates every bit as powerfully, if not more so, than the final chapter. Its extended runtime provides the opportunity to delve deeply into each character's psychological evolution, giving audiences a full view of their personalities. Scenes that might have seemed rushed before now receive the proper buildup and explanation. The movie covers every detail in a streamlined, well-organized way, resulting in a deeply satisfying conclusion to this masterpiece. Additionally, there’s a brief extra scene at the end that provides greater insight into the dynamic between Eren, Mikasa, and Armin, while also subtly engaging the audience. Ultimately, it serves as a reminder of Attack ... on Titan’s remarkable journey and the lasting legacy it leaves in the anime world.

This season is decent and preserves the same charm as Season 1 and the movie. Although I disagree somewhat with the ideology and implications presented, the show excels at establishing its world and setting the stage for events to unfold. The entertainment district backdrop feels underused, though: while “Zankyou Sanka” is a fantastic theme, it misrepresents the premise since the characters quickly abandon their undercover roles and jump straight into combat. Uzui’s multiple wives also don’t contribute much, making their inclusion feel questionable, regardless of how he treats them. Some of the fight scenes feel formulaic, particularly if you’re familiar with Season 1’s structure. However, ... Ufotable continues to excel at building excitement and emotional resonance. Overall, while I think the community rates it a bit too highly, it’s still a good show.

This anime is truly remarkable. Mitsumi reminds me of many straightforward, innocent male protagonists from shonen anime, except here, the role is reversed. She’s the perfect narrator for this story. Her journey from a naïve girl from the countryside to someone gradually finding her place in Tokyo, all while retaining that genuine innocence, is the key thread that ties everyone together.

In contrast to many romance series where the main characters get all the spotlight, every supporting character here receives attention to their personal growth, and motivations, making you feel as if they’re part of your own circle of friends. The show also employs an ... uplifting sense of “everything will work out in the end.” It focuses on important moments in Japanese high school life, like festivals and summer break, but approaches them in a refreshingly different way. These events matter, but they’re not central story arcs but rather, they’re days or weeks that Mitsumi and her friends get to enjoy together. Plus, the anime highlights actual study life, showcasing how students genuinely spend much of their time, rather than glossing over this aspect so crucial to the school setting.

All in all, I found the anime thoroughly enjoyable. It offers a fresh spin on the slice-of-life and romance genres, features great pacing, has relatable characters, and portrays friendships that feel truly authentic. I hope others who give it a try will share the same enthusiasm.

This show perfectly embodies the slice of life genre. I adore the laid-back and leisurely feel of each episode, along with the relaxed demeanor of the girls living in the Japanese countryside. The anime provides a highly realistic depiction of rural Japan, showcasing its isolation and sparse population, which can make it seem almost desolate with limited activities. However, the area's stunning natural beauty compensates for this, offering those who embrace it new and valuable perspectives on life. I appreciate that all five girls in the series are very active, continuously seeking to try new things and learn, despite their different personalities. They are always ... kind to one another and accept each other for who they are. Additionally, they work hard to fund their camping adventures. The show is also very informative and detailed regarding camping equipment, areas, and techniques, clearly reflecting the creator’s extensive research. I love how each episode gently encourages me to stay active and connect with nature while maintaining a calming and healing atmosphere. It's truly enjoyable to watch these girls hang out and grow together.

This anime is a decent and enjoyable watch, but it falls short of its potential, leaving me frustrated with what could have been. My biggest issue lies with season two, which feels too “safe.” By the end of the series, there isn’t much new or significant information that changes what we already knew about the plot or characters from season one. While we do gain deeper insights into Llenn and Pitohui’s personalities and mindsets, their character arcs were already well-developed in the first season. That said, this aspect was handled competently.

Unfortunately, other characters like Fuka and M receive minimal development, and much of the focus ... remains on conflicts that were already resolved in season one. The game setting also feels outdated. While the concept worked well in 2018, by 2024, the mechanics, especially in the earlier episodes, seem dated. The constant tinkering by the developers within the game disrupts the flow, leaving the characters with little time to adapt or strategize properly.

Pitohui’s plans succeed far too often due to excessive plot armor: her reckless strategies prevail even when a single logical counteraction could have unraveled them. Additionally, there are no new characters introduced, and the story sticks to the same cast, same stakes, and same game. The final arc attempts to consolidate the cast and showcase new weapon types, but it doesn’t add much depth.

The lack of animation quality in episodes 9–11 ending is disappointing, especially when compared to the impressive visuals in the finale. However, the voice acting is a strong point, with Hisaka Youko’s energetic performance as Pitohui standing out.

Overall, while this anime is watchable and enjoyable, it plays things too safe. The production team seemed content with creating something decent rather than pushing for a standout project. What felt refreshing and exciting in 2018 now feels rather average in 2024, unable to truly stand out in today’s competitive market.

The series is easy to watch and shows some potential but ultimately suffers from a lack of clear direction and a noticeable disconnect between the main storyline and the slice-of-life subplots. Watching the anime, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the author struggled to decide on the story’s identity. While major plot points, like the assassin organization or Hitoyoshi and Yuki's childhood trauma of abandonment and their struggles with self-identity, are introduced in a serious manner, the overall tone of the series is surprisingly light-hearted.

It’s reminiscent of the early stages of Katekyō Hitman Reborn, where, despite framing the story as a young yakuza boss ... learning his craft, the focus leaned more toward high school comedy and slice-of-life elements. As an anime-only viewer, I’m curious if the author plans to maintain this approach because, if so, the climax risks feeling anticlimactic. Even when potential rivals or assassins are introduced with the threat of killing, the conflicts are resolved quickly, often with adult characters acting immaturely.

The side characters, such as Hitoyoshi’s sisters or his classmates and friends, follow fairly basic anime tropes. While not inherently bad, it gives the impression that the author may lack real-life experience to draw from. The series also plays into a niche demographic, with the tall-guy/smaller-guy dynamic, which is admittedly entertaining to watch. Additionally, there’s a strange fixation on tonkatsu or tonkatsu sauce, as well as Yuki’s clumsiness and frequent crying. While these quirks might be personal choices by the author, making tonkatsu sauce an integral part of someone’s personality feels oddly excessive.

Some may argue I’m being too harsh since the show isn’t meant to be taken seriously, but the way the plot is framed forces viewers to view these issues as significant, only for the conflicts to be resolved in ways that feel trivial, almost like high school antics.

On a positive note, the animation is well-done, the opening and ending themes are catchy, and Ueda Reina’s voice acting brings Yuki to life in a compelling way. Overall, while it’s an easy series to consume, I’m not sure it did enough to merit a second season.

It’s hard to add anything new to the discussion—*Dandadan* is undoubtedly an anime of the year contender, if not already the top pick. Across its 12 episodes, it’s been an exhilarating ride. What stands out most about Dandadan is its ability to seamlessly blend seemingly random and unrelated subcultures and genres, chosen purely because the author loves them, into a cohesive and innovative narrative.

The action scenes are breathtaking and inventive, constantly surprising viewers with fresh approaches to storytelling. From thrilling chase sequences in an old building to a reverse classroom filled with water, the show turns randomness into something logical and practical. Each ... major action sequence feels new and exciting, leaving viewers in awe of the creativity behind them.

The characters are another highlight. While their archetypes might seem familiar, their quirky interactions and mismatched personalities blend together refreshingly. The show feels like a love letter to the random, genre-blending series you watch for pure enjoyment. Even for viewers like me, with limited knowledge of Ultraman, aliens, or Japanese spiritual monsters, the author’s passion and clever integration of these elements make them compelling and worthwhile. It’s a reminder that what we watch and consume truly matters.

The series also knows when to be serious, delivering mature, emotional moments that hit harder than anything I’ve seen in other anime this year. The opening theme by Creepy Nuts and Science Saru’s unique animation style perfectly capture *Dandadan*'s tone and energy. If there’s one critique, it’s the repetitive post-battle interactions where the cast often devolves into chaotic antics. However, this is quickly followed by creative and refreshing new arcs and character introductions that keep things exciting.

Overall, *Dandadan* is 95% my anime of the year, and I hope everyone who gives it a chance has an amazing experience.