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Screw the haters. Tokyo Manji Gang forever!

I have read the manga and the anime adaptation sticks closely to the source material. One of my favorite qualities the anime provides is the ability to draw out moments that are otherwise fast-paced in the manga. The anime really highlights the suspense and necessary pauses in conversation. I think the anime does a really good job with pacing and letting these amazing characters exist. My only complaint is the amount of extra punches thrown.

Season 2 focuses on Takemichi trying to course correct the future where the Tokyo Manji Gang has been corrupted by the wealth the Black Dragons ... provided. Mikey has fallen into darkness and Kisaki Tetta is the puppet master leader of Toman. Hakkai Shiba is introduced at the end of Season 1 as the former leader of the Black Dragons who killed the previous leader. That leader was Taiju Shiba. This is pretty much all the knowledge Takemichi has to work with before being sent back to his delinquent youth. He meets Hakkai and Hakkai is actually a good dude. In order for Takemichi to save all his friends and now Hakkai, he must prevent Taiju Shiba's death.

This season allows us further insight between Takemichi and Chifuyu. We get to see their relationship get stronger. We also get to see more insight into who exactly is Kisaki. Episode 10 grants us a closer look at Draken and Mitsuya. We get to see more of Mitsuya this season. Of course we are introduced to the Shiba family and we get to know and like Yuzuha and Hakkai. Importantly, we get to start seeing a different side of Mikey. While it may seem confusing and a little off, Mikey's character development in this season plays a big role for the future.

Overall, I love this show because of the characters. Takemichi is one of my favorite protagonists because he does not give up. The other members of Toman excel in other ways like fighting, bravery, kindness, and compassion for your brothers. Hina, Emma, and Yuzuha show us unrelenting confidence and love. They all exemplify virtues and are kept to their principles by Takemichi never giving up. It's okay if you don't love these characters, but they rule (so your loss ♡).

2.43: Seiin Koukou Danshi Volley-bu is an interesting new sports anime. Many of those watching will probably be doing so because of Haikyuu!!. They are two very different anime. Stop focusing on the comparison and watch it for what it's worth.

2.43 is a melodrama with volleyball at its core. The characters are experiencing middle school to high school growing pains and all the drama involved with being that age. It's relatable and well written for a slice of life where the characters have depth we have all experienced. Kimichika Haijima is the all star setter and Yuni Kuroba is the up-and-coming ace. Haijima is haunted ... by his past, but uses volleyball as his distraction and obsession. Yuni is trying to navigate different influences and come to his own conclusions about the world, Haijima, and volleyball. Yuni is easily relatable for anyone who played sports and found the pressure or drive difficult. With Haijima as the bar to set, it's easy to be discouraged by those better than you.

The relatability to the characters is the strong point of 2.43. It's focus is the characters, rather than being a hype sports anime. I think of the show more as a slice of life drama with volleyball, rather than a sports shounen. If that's what you're into, this show is a good one to watch. There is plenty of depth and pain written into the show, and that is what makes it unique. Another sports anime is cool and all, but the writers clearly wanted to try something different -- or at least showcase flawed and relatable characters and their rise through volleyball. There is a stronger focus on the relationships that develop as the season progresses. If you're watching for epic volley ball animation sequences, just wait until episode 4. This anime focuses more on player motivations that go deeper than "winning is everything." There is plenty of drama and character depth to be explored.

If you want it to be Haikyuu, go re-watch Haikyuu. 2.43: Seiin Koukou Danshi Volley-bu isn't a carbon copy with new characters. Solid show. You'll know by the first episode if you're interested in the story or not.

Hyouge Mono is not a straightforward anime and doesn't seem all that accessible. However, if you enjoy traditional Japanese aesthetics or are fond of the tea ceremony, then Hyouge Mono is quite lovely. I am a ceramicist and love work from the late Momoyama (1573–1615) and early Edo periods (1615–1868). This show cultivates a fondness for the discovery of old ceramic ware and other beauties of those periods.

The dialogue can seem difficult. Names are rather important throughout this anime, so it is important to pay attention. There is little action, but when there is it is rewarding. It is a slow paced show, striving with ... message and intention.

Furuta Sasuke is a lovable, eccentric character. His reactions are priceless. It is a lovely take on Furuta Oribe, a figure crucial to Japanese ceramic ware.