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VERY MINOR SPOILER ALERT


Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt is a western adult cartoon inspired series about two fallen angels; sisters Panty and Stocking Anarchy. They must hunt and destroy ghosts on Earth to earn their way back into Heaven with the help of their caretaker (of sorts), Garterbelt, and their dog, Chuck. This series pushes the limit on just about every topic it can. The series is crude, explicit to the extreme, borderline pornographic... and it's glorious. The Anarchy sisters have certainly earned their surname. I fell in love with all the main characters instantly, and I enjoyed seeing the ridiculous (and gross) ghosts they ... had to face.

I feel as though they could've introduced Scanty and Kneesocks sooner, because until they came around, all conflicts with ghosts seemed completely random, but perhaps that give the series a bit more element of surprise.

After episode six, there is a bit too much filler for my tastes. Much of it wasn't even enjoyable filler. It felt as though the creators were attempting to make the viewers as confused and/or grossed-out as much as they possibly could before an intense final 2-3 episodes.

I was immensely satisfied with the final episode right up until the final minute or so, where a shocking (and nonsensical, if you ask me) end awaits you, should you watch past the closing song. Supposedly, it is a playful nudge at studio Gainax endings, but I personally was very upset.

The art style for 90% of the series is initially... disgusting. There are a few shots throughout the series of gorgeous animation,

but it's not nearly enough to save you from the pure cringe of the main art style. That said, it actually fits the entire series very well, and the art style will become more and more charming as you bond with the characters.

Overall, the main points preventing it from being one of my favorites is the extreme amount of gross-out scenes, the dragging bits of filler, and the ending. Regardless, I still enjoyed the series as a whole, and I haven't lost any love for the characters or atmosphere of the series.

Both fortunately and unfortunately, I enjoyed the first two OVA episodes far more than season one as a whole. They really explored the deeper emotions of the more "side-characters".

In episode one, though off to a very dirty start, I loved seeing things from Mimi's point of view rather than Aoki's. I resonate a lot with Mimi as a character, I was also shy as a child, and developed earlier than my classmates, and was teased as a result. I also shared Mimi's hidden wish for approval from adults, and was often envious of my pretty, outgoing friends and classmates. For some reason, I also ... really enjoyed Mimi's realization that being in love with someone can bring out a side of someone that friends and family cannot, because this was a hard concept for me to grasp even as a teenager. It was a wonderful change up from ecchi and the mourning over Rin's mother.

Episode two was even more enjoyable, I never would've foreseen Kuro following Shirai-sensei around like a puppy dog! I was so delighted that they chose to expose Shirai's background, even if it wasn't as in-depth as I'd hoped. Throughout season one, you can spot glimpses of caring and emotion behind her cold exterior, which made it impossible for me to dislike her. I also enjoyed seeing more of Kuro's struggle with accepting her homosexuality, a pleasant surprise that came with this OVA. In season one, they really trivialize, or perhaps simply normalize Kuro's crush on Rin. I didn't mind of course, but I really wanted some more detail, and the OVA granted that wish.

I began episode three with such high expectation... however the series returned to it's ecchi roots, and went out with a yuri-filled bang.

It was rather painful to watch, I had to take long breaks during the episode because I was so shocked and frankly a little upset. I was ashamed to even be watching it. I would not recommend watching episode 3 of the OVA even if you like Kodomo no Jikan.

All I can do is try to overshadow the ecchi scenes with all of the funny and serious moments that I enjoyed so much. If I can do that, Kodomo no Jikan really isn't so bad.

THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER FREE!

What can I say that hasn't already been said about Kodomo no Jikan?

Probably not much.. but I love the characters so much, both the teachers, as well as Kuro, Mimi, and Rin (I love those names as well). I initially started the series out of sheer curiosity, and I got a little worse than I had expected. It kind of felt like the demonic love-child of Toradora and Boku no Pico.

It took me a very long time to complete Kodomo no Jikan even though I had the full first season plus the OVAs readily accessible for at least a month before ... I completed it. I just couldn't take such high doses of children my baby brother's age being so lewd.. but what got me through the series was the comedy. If I wasn't crying, I was laughing. Not many anime have made me literally laugh out loud more than once or twice. I laughed at least once per episode; sometimes it was because of the absurd situations, or Kuro-chan's elaborate name-calling.

Towards the end of the season, I was loving all the serious background story!

Overall, I really had a love-hate relationship with this series. I still am not entirely sure how I feel about it, but I can say I wouldn't change the fact that I completed it.

THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER FREE!

Many people argue that Dagashi Kashi is nothing more than one big advertisement for Dagashi. This may or may not be true. Perhaps if you are Japanese and had grown up on Dagashi, this series is probably so slice-of-life that it’s boring. As someone genuinely interested in the lifestyles of Japanese citizens beyond anime and pop culture, I found this anime quite educational! Not only had I never heard of Dagashi before watching episode 1, but it also gave me a look into Japanese childhood, and growing up in the Japanese countryside. I also love the silly characters, especially Hotaru. If ... you are interested in Japanese culture as a whole, and you enjoy your light-hearted series’, then Dagashi Kashi is for you! It helps that I’m also a bit of a foodie.

I was rather confused by the final episode, which almost completely lacked closure. Are they leaving an opening for a second season, or did they really just not know how to wrap up this anime?

Many of my favorite reviewers rejected this series right away, which made me think negatively of it as well. After so much talk online following episode one’s airing, I grew curious, and decided to watch the first few episodes. It helped that I recognized Kyoto animation’s gorgeous artwork, and kept in mind my love for the Free! series, also done by Kyoani. I was hooked after episode one! Can I also just say that I love the school uniforms?

The characters are probably 50% of why I enjoyed this series so much. I resonate so much with Haruhiko as a person, and his little freak outs ... are unreasonably hilarious to me! Ruru is just a sassy little chatterbox, but she brings so much energy into the room, and not to mention, she's irrisitably adorable! You might not appreciate Reina and Mai that much until a bit later in the series, but they grow on you as well. I will say, however that all of the characters, including Haruhiko (who is supposed to be highly intelligent), can be ditzy at times.

The character development didn't seem to be the creators' main focus of the show, they just sort of sprinkled it here and there, but they did it just enough for me to become emotionally involved. Especially towards the end, Haruhiko really starts "coming into his own", as they say, and I was glad they arranged that, but it seems like they just sort of threw it in.

I was also fascinated by the complexity of phantoms, and enjoyed seeing each different kind of phantom.

This series includes a few moments of ecchi, but it was by no means overdone in my opinion, and it was more comical than sexy.

There is also a subtle sense of harem elements in some episodes, but I enjoyed that it was all kept considerably low-key, and nobody ends up on a real date or even considering an official relationship. It really maintained the series’ light-heartedness.

Kyoani has yet again produced one of my favorites!

THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER FREE!

This was absolutely my favorite series of the Winter 2016 anime season, and many other watchers feel the same! Unless my love for this series is just temporarily hype-fuelled, this may be one of my new favorite series overall, and I plan to read the manga and enjoy the story again! I will also most definitely be purchasing a blu-ray and/or dvd copy! It’s a good beginner’s anime, and a must watch, even for those who are only occasional anime watchers! There was never a dull moment for me, and it'll have you on the edge of your seat every single ... episode! I think this series is certainly re-watchable! I've also bonded with the main characters so much that I'm really devastated that it's all over! But you know, that's a big part of what makes a series good for me.

You might not like the art style at first, but it has a certain charm to it, and it really grows on you!

I also have an unhealthy obsession with cute bags, and I’ve always loved the randoseru backpacks that Japanese elementary school kids have, so if you’re like me, you’ll enjoy seeing Kayo looking fierce with her little red coat and matching bag. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, see poster above!

Everyone loves the opening song except for me! It was okay at first, then I hated it for most of the series, and now I like and appreciate it, but if I hear it too much, it can be just slightly ‘cringey’ for me!