Summer 2019 Anime – Anime QandA

Summer 2019 Anime In Review

A look back at all the Summer 2019 Anime I Watched , Ranked from Least to Most favourite with scores and mini-reviews for each

Summer is done and now comes the task of ranking all the shows I watched. Overall it was a great season, not the strongest I’ve ever watched but by no means the weakest. In total I watched 20 shows, 18 new ones and two hold-overs from the Spring 2019 season which I’ll be listing from least favourite to most favourite, also I’ll be giving my quick overall thoughts on each one. Anyway, let’s get to it!

Iskeai Cheat Magician

68/100

For those following my seasonal anime reviews, you may remember I straight up dropped this show ‘round Episode 7 for the crimes of being tone-deaf, generic and kinda sexist (yeah, I know) but guess what I binge watched the remaining 5 episodes after the season was over and… yeah, this show still is overwhelmingly disappointing because it never did anything outside of the expected ‘isekai’ genre despite having honestly fun, charismatic and enjoyable characters who frankly deserved to be in a better show.

If It’s for My Daughter, I’d Even Defeat a Demon Lord

77/100

I couldn’t really pinpoint anything really negative about this show at all but likewise nothing particularly remarkable either. Dale was the show’s weak point, likewise his overacting and overreactions while Latina was the undoubted bright spot, everything else was window dressing to an entertaining but otherwise uneventful series.

Demon Lord, Retry

80/100

This show had a rough journey but ultimately ended up a very positive experience not the least because of how unexpected and unconventional so many of its elements were–especially in comparison to other isekai series. There was something fluid and improvisational about this show’s narrative that could easily be mistaken for laziness or unfocused narrative stylings but I found it consistently refreshing in its inconsistencies. Also it was damn funny at times too, which counts for more than you might expect at least in my estimations.

Do You Love Your Mom And Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks?

81/100

Despite some early signs that this series would veer into ecchi territory, it became evident by the midway mark that this show was more interested in telling a story about familial bonds and the importance of connecting and understanding one another rather than MILF’s and big boobs. And I mean take that as you will, it at least was very good at one thing (even if it’s not the thing I had a preference for) and that’s probably something worth recommending.

Magical Sempai

81/100

The titular (pun intended) Magical Sempai of this series was this shows massive (pun–again–intended) saving grace as, while a funny series on the whole, it was kind of ~slight~ in almost every other regard (pacing, character development, narrative structure). There were moments of true excellence that showed this series had the potential to be more than just a gag anime, but there were far more moments were it was clear that was the extent of its ambitions.

Are You Lost?

82/100

At its best, ‘Are You Lost?’ managed to flawlessly fuse together ecchi comedy with genuine survival techniques and a palpable sense of danger about these girls’ situation. And while the show remains frustratingly unresolved at this point, it was still a really enjoyable experience to undertake. Like ‘Survivor’ only you actually like all the characters involved.

given

82/100

I couldn’t help but be deterred by this show’s slow initial pace and frustrating characterisation around Mafuyu, I knew it was leading somewhere deeper and darker but that doesn’t excuse such a dragging narrative development. Thankfully every other character more than carried the series throughout its rough points and once it finally hit its emotional stride it was a pretty compelling and honestly touching romance series that presented a same sex relationship as natural and beautiful as any other–exactly as it should be!

Cop Craft

83/100

An anime cop procedural is such an obvious fit and adding in the fantastical element of a gate to another world into the mix and the various dramas that arise of two different species interacting not only on the societal level but on the personal level as our Earth based detective is partnered with an “alien” from this other world and they solve crimes together and learn to accept each other is a recipe for a damn good TV show. And that’s exactly what this is, it’s not without its hiccups, and the overarching plot is less interesting than the individual stories but it’s easily an anime I could recommend to almost anyone just because of how competently entertaining it is.

How Heavy Are The Dumbbells You Lift?

85/100

An anime about exercising seems like a ludicrous idea, until you realise there’s already been several previous to this one, but none of them were full length anime and that’s indeed one of the most interesting and impressive things about this series is its near fearless commitment to its general conceit and making it not only interesting but downright compelling at times. At times an uneven experience, with some episodes being less interesting due to their focus away from our main girls but for the most part it’s a tremendously fun show with a terrific sense of humour.

Are You Willing To Fall In Love With A Pervert, As Long As She’s a Cutie?

85/100

The title kind of says it all, and yet this show surprised again and again by being so sincere with its seemingly jokey premise. In a lot of ways this series was reminiscent more of 80’s Hollywood teen romantic comedies by the likes of John Hughes, than any specific anime which lent the series a refreshing framing that a lot of harem anime lack. I’m not saying this is preferable to the norm, just that it was different enough to be compelling by itself.

Re:Stage! Dream Days

86/100

I have a patchy (at best) history with ‘idol’ anime, so imagine my surprise when an unassuming series like this manages to connect so immediately with me. I think a part of the appeal of this series in general was how earnest it was while never taking itself too seriously–it struck the right balance throughout and delivered a surprisingly emotional story but with plenty of laughs and silliness that made the dramatic moments hit harder.

Fruits Basket (2019) (Episodes 13-25)

86/100

At this point there’s not much more that needs to be said in favour of this wonderful reboot as its garnered acclaim and fanfare across all corners of the internet. And even from someone as sceptical and disconnected from both the original anime and manga source material I eventually found myself spellbound by this series. It wasn’t ‘love at first sight’ though, as I reiterate that the series’ first cour was slow and occasionally annoying to the point of distraction but the amount of sheer ‘hits’ among the ‘misses’ was well in favour of the positive as it wrapped up its second cour. Believe the hype, ‘Fruits Basket’ is truly a great series once you get past its early problems.

YU-NO: A Girl Who Chants Love At The Bound of This World (Episodes 13-26)

87/100

Based on a visual novel from the early nineties its evident the mark this property has played in so many subsequent VN’s and likewise anime, especially the likes of ‘Steins;Gate’–which was heavily influenced by this story. So with that in mind its kind of surprising more people aren’t treating this anime adaptation with the reverence it deserves, sure it’s not perfect but its indelible mark means its worthy of praise in just how well it executes such a complex and high-concept story with dozens of characters and just as many convolutions throughout.

Wasteful Days of High School Girl

87/100

As far as outright ‘comedies’ go, nothing made me laugh like ‘Wasteful Days of High School Girl’ did this season. With the absurdity and inanity pushed to eleven the comedy was a given but this show managed to back up its gut-busting comedic stylings with more than a few genuinely compelling character turns and significant development of likewise to prove itself as an anime to be reckoned with!

Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san 2

88/100

The only way is up, and that’s true enough for many sequels but especially one where its slow but steady escalation of romantic intimacy between its two leads means eventual but substantial development is made. Truthfully a lot of this second season feels frustratingly similar to the first but that only seeks to heighten the brief but impactful moments where Takagi and Nishikta’s relationship evolves into something more.

Is It Wrong To Try and Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? II

89/100

While on the subject of sequels (see previous entry) the second season of ‘Is It Wrong To Try and Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon’ improves on a lot of what made the first season great while also doing something unexpected in the grand scheme of things by having almost all of the series take place outside of the titular ‘dungeon’ that served so much of a setting for the first season. As a result, the world feels bigger, the stakes feel more real and the series in-of-itself feels more liberated which is only a good thing for this show going forward.

The Demon Girl Next Door

91/100

I love this show, but more than that I adore our titular demon girl Yuuko who is one of anime’s perfect characters–and that’s not a statement I make lightly knowing the sheer calibre of characters that exist out there. Aside from Yuuko’s distracting brilliance this show excels in being the kind of endearing buddy comedy ‘Odd Couple’-esque that so many shows aim for but fall short of. Not here though as the magical girl x demon girl interactions between Momo and Yuuko are absolutely flawless.

Fire Force (Episodes 1-11)

92/100

‘Fire Force’ is the kind of show I want to run forever the same way that ‘One Piece’ seemingly exists in perpetuity, I know that’s an unlikely dream but there’s something that’s so indelibly compelling about every single part of this show–from its visual styling, to its characterisation, to its personality, to its fan-service–that makes me want more.

O Maidens In Your Savage Season

95/100

This series managed and almost flawless run from beginning to end, only tripped up in its penultimate episode by racing a hairsbreadth from jumping the proverbial shark. That mild fumble aside ‘O Maidens’ sold the complexities and intricacies and intimacies of the modern high-school relationship in such a wonderfully messy and unflinching way that it was kind of a wonder to behold–even if the climax was never quite as strong as the build-up.

Arifureta: From Commonplace To World’s Strongest

97/100

So, there’s a lot I could talk about this show, about how fans in the West completely and unjustifiably overreacted to its significant first episode deviation from the source material and decided to make it the whipping boy for the season–picking apart everything it did wrong and ignoring everything it did right. I could spend pages comparing it to other shows that didn’t get anywhere near as much hate, showing examples of how it’s far more unique and compelling than almost every other isekai out there. But now’s not really the time, simply put I love this show–I love its characters and their interactions with each other, I love the world and story-telling, I love it’s quirky sense of humour and unpredictable nature. Maybe I’ll write up a full post about this series in the future because it’s genuinely stolen my heart and mind and not only is it my anime of the season but it’s also in my Top 5 anime of all time.

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And that’s what I thought of all the anime I watched in the Summer 2019 anime season! Let me know what your favourites were and thank you for reading!

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Week 1 of Fall 2019 Anime In Review

All the new anime episodes I watched in Week 1 of the Fall 2019 season ranked and reviewed!

Fall has, err, fallen and so begins the new anime of the season (with of course a few stragglers from the previous season who are still going for various reasons), anyway I was absurdly excited for the new anime to begin and for the most part it lived up to or exceeded expectations! Let’s dive in!

Ascendance of a Bookworm – Episode 1

58/100 (NEW entry) [Dropped]

I’d make a rude joke here but she’s like 5 years old and even I have standards…

I generally don’t like to drop any anime after only watching a single episode (the last time that happened was over a year ago) but ‘Ascendance of a Bookworm’ just failed for me in almost every regard. The pacing was at a snail’s pace, the main character was annoying and difficult to relate to (I mean she literally just died and was reincarnated in a fantasy world and the only thing she ever talks about is books, where are your priorities?!), the setting was dull and ugly, the overall concept was flawed and its execution even more so. Also, throughout the episode I got the feeling like I was watching a kids show from the West and distinctly not an anime, which I mean as far as an anime is concerned is the biggest crime imaginable! Right?!

Val x Love – Episode 1

73/100 (NEW entry)

Chalk this one up to my expectations from the quality of the manga not being met by the adaptation–at least as far as the first episode goes–because this was kind of a rough sit… Though in the episode’s defence it did fair better after a second viewing where my expectations were more tempered but it’s hard to deny that things were rushed, confusingly executed and not anywhere near the quality of the manga. Also on the fan-service front things were disappointingly tame. I’m not completely writing off this series as there’s still a chance both the pace and the quality could arguably improve with subsequent episodes but I’m still cautious…

After School Dice Club – Episode 1

85/100 (NEW entry)

I’ve never been the biggest fan of board games (mostly because I have no friends) but I’ve always appreciated the tactile aesthetic of them and likewise the relaxing amiable culture around board game playing in general. So obviously a CGDCT slice of life anime is the perfect fit for such a laid back past time, and indeed this first episode shows tremendous promise not only with its aforementioned relaxed vibe but with characters who are interesting and occasionally complex and comedy that’s subtle but fun. I doubt this series will reach the heights of other “relaxing” anime such as ‘Non Non Biyori’ and ‘Laid Back Camp’ but it’s set itself up to enjoyable nonetheless.

Cop Craft – Episode 12 (Finale)

87/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

I’m gonna miss this spunky little “alien”.

Undeniably, ‘Cop Craft’ ends its run on a high and absolutely leaves me wanting more but at the same time is wrapped up with the kind of confidence of writing that leaves me absolutely okay with the fact that we’ll likely never see Kei and Tilarna again. This show is just a solid example of a series that knew exactly what it was and did it well from beginning to end with only the most minor of hiccups along the way.

The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious – Episode 1

89/100 (NEW entry)

The absolute best thing about this isekai–which based off the premise alone could be accused of being somewhat derivative–is that this entire first episode (and presumably the rest of the show) is told from the perspective of the person doing the isekai-ing, i.e. a goddess by the name of Ristarte who’s just trying to do her best against while having to deal with the fact that she summoned a way too cautious ‘hero’ to help her defeat a demon lord. And aside from the setting, this feels more like a comedy in line with the likes of ‘Konosuba’ than it does your bog-standard isekai, which certainly makes for a more immediately enjoyable experience. Also, Ristarte is wonderfully over-the-top and her line deliveries and facial expressions make for comedic joy.

Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia – Episode 1

90/100 (NEW entry)

I like what you’ve done with yourself, Rin.

As I said in my pre-season watch list post, my experience with the ‘Fate’ series is pretty minimal compared to the breadth of content out there, I’ve watched the original ‘Fate/Stay Night’ anime as well as all of the ‘Fate/Kaleid Prisma Illya’ series but it’s only peripherally helpful in a series as dense as this one. And even though this episode is pretty confusing with regard to the amount of information and characters it seeks to impart, it’s just so gorgeous to look at and well made and paced that it’s easy to overlook the feeling that I’m in over my head. And while it might seem shallow to recommend something because of the size of its budget there’s to denying a lot of money has been put into this production and it’s all the more compelling and desirable for it. #justsayin…

High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even In Another World – Episode 1

91/100 (NEW entry)

Neither of these are main characters, I just like blonde elves with big boobs.

I did not expect a show with such a seemingly ordinary premise “high school prodigies being isekai’d” to not only be refreshingly fun but to have so much character and energy too. The introduction to our characters is something straight out of a slick Hollywood movie, with characters too impossibly young and talented and influential to actually exist and yet it pulls it off with effortless confidence. Who knew watching a bunch of spoilt high school prodigies being swept off to another world could be so compelling and dynamic?!

Re:Stage! Dream Days♪ – Episode 12 (Finale)

92/100 (UP 5 points from previous episode)

Talk about your roller coaster of emotions! This finale did pretty much everything right, by being both emotionally satisfying, dramatically unexpected and brutally honest–the latter of which I was not expecting but was absolutely glad for. I won’t spoil it for the whole two of you reading who may end up taking up this series but rest assured if you’re looking for an idol anime that doesn’t play it safe with expectations and isn’t afraid to wring a few tears than this show has proven itself a worthy entrant in the genre.

AZUR LANE – Episode 1

93/100 (NEW entry)

It may look ridiculous (and it is) but it’s still cool as heck.

Just so you all know I’m not someone who plays the mobile game ‘Azur Lane’ on which this anime is based–I played it once, wasn’t really interested in the gameplay and never played it again. So it’s with this caveat in mind that you should realise how unexpected that a show like this gets such a high score in its debut–it’s not that this show does anything unique or revelatory or emotional–it’s simply that it delivers a purely entertaining kinetic experience filled to the brim with personality, action, humour and light-fan service that makes it a near peerless experience. You shouldn’t go in expecting anything other than an over-the-top, highly polished, ridiculous good time and as long as you’re willing to accept it in all its forms then you should at least appreciate the brilliance of this cute girl action madness.

Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest – Episode 12

94/100 (DOWN 6 points from previous episode)

When I saw that this episode would focus on a reunion of sorts between Hajime and his old classmates a part of me was dreading it because I honestly couldn’t care less about any of them and yet true to the stellar writing of this series this episode did, in fact, make me care about their current plight. Still, every scene with Hajime and his ever expanding harem was an absolute delight and the fact he’s now practically adopted the kawaii mermaid girl from last episode and is referring to her as his daughter is just all kinds of adorable and wonderful.

YU-NO: A Girl Who Chants Love At The Bound Of This World – Episode 26 (Finale)

95/100 (UP 11 points from previous episode)

As far as this show is concerned this finale is functionally perfect, it not only has the audacity to wrap up at least half a dozen plot threads from the previous 25 episodes but do it in a satisfying and emotionally charged way without seeming contrived or cheap. The various call-backs to previous moments from all the way back to Episode 1 make this feel like a complete story in the way few time-travel centric shows do. And while my sole gripe with the finale is that it deserved at least 5 or so more minutes to elaborate and expand upon the more heady concepts that befall its protagonist, I’m still just kind of in awe that they went for an ending as ephemeral and mysterious that they did–big kudos on that front!

We Never Learn Season 2 – Episode 1

96/100 (NEW entry)

When cup-size conversations get confused with grades.

For those who don’t remember Season 1 of ‘We Never Learn’ was my Number 1 show of Spring 2019 so fair warning there’s a possibility that this show will remain unseated from the ‘favourite’ spot going forward. Though that said, I’d argue that the strength of this return is less informed by a general bias in favour of this series specifically and more down to the fact that this is honestly a frequently hilarious, occasionally heartfelt and all round entertaining episode of an anime that may well be the single best ‘Hot Springs’ episode of any anime I’ve ever seen–and that’s not something I say half-heartedly!

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And that’s what I thought of Week 1 of Fall some 1st episodes and some last episodes! There’s still a bunch new shows starting next week as well as ‘Arifureta’s season finale to come so look forward to that. Let me know your thoughts on the week and as always thanks for reading!

If you liked my post and want to support my content, please consider supporting my Patreon page, or donating by buying me a coffee on Ko-fi!

Week 13 of Summer 2019 Anime In Review

All the new anime episodes I watched in Week 13 of Summer 2019 ranked and reviewed!

It’s the final week of Summer (though not for seasonal anime of Summer as some shows are still continuing into next week). So let’s see what I thought of this week’s batch of episodes, including some season finales!

YU-NO: A Girl Who Chants Love At The Bound Of This World – Episode 25

84/100 (DOWN 2 points from previous episode)

I’d like to see someone cosplay as this! Actually, I take that back.

There’s no denying the epic nature of this final showdown and penultimate episode, the fact it spends so much time on its final confrontation and still doesn’t resolve anything is a testament to how high the stakes are and how important it wants to be and that’s kind of a part of the problem because save for a few moments the rest of the episode feels a bit lacking.

Do You Love Your Mom And Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks? – Episode 12 (Finale)

85/100 (EVEN with previous episode)

That’s some weapons grade denial right there.

While not the best season finale and not even the best this show has had to offer during its run, it’s still a fun, funny and even occasionally touching finale. Plus Amante made for a surprisingly entertaining villain–perhaps the best the show has had–and so the fact that her plotline remains tantalisingly unresolved is as much a promise for more as it is disappointing as it’s very unlikely this series will get a second season.

Cop Craft – Episode 11

86/100 (UP 2 points from previous episode)

Almost everything is improved upon with this penultimate episode although the allusions to contemporary politics (especially US politics) feel uncomfortably close to home–which is probably the point–but doesn’t exactly make for the most enjoyable viewing experiences. Nevertheless, ‘Cop Craft’ as a series probably has never been stronger than right now and that in of itself makes the potential for the finale all the more enticing!

Re:Stage! Dream Days♪ – Episode 11

87/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

Mana’s line-reading on this was just so adorably sincere.

One of my favourite things about this series is how it straddles the line between semi-serious idol stuff and borderline kids show shenanigans. This episode started with brainiac idol Kae inventing a computer program to discern their chance of winning the upcoming ‘Prism Stage’ competition and it kind of snowballed from there. It was a fun episode and harked back to some of the best moments of the season while setting the stage (pun intended) for the climax.

Hensuki: Are you willing to fall in love with a pervert, as long as she’s a cutie? – Episode 12 (Finale)

91/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

As far as mature resolutions to harem narratives go this one ranks pretty high–not that there’s a specific actual choice made by Keiki as to who of his perverted partners he’ll end up with–but the fact that the series spends as much time agonising of the specific details of his love confession from his (adopted) sister is much appreciated. Plus just the general editing, writing and composition of the entire episode is expertly put together that it’s kind of hard to fault it. It’s not the perfect episode or perfect finale my any measure, but it’s the best episode of this show and that’s kind of all you need at this point.

Is It Wrong To Try And Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? II – Episode 12 (Finale)

92/100 (UP 6 points from previous episode)

Last week I complained that things seemed a bit too light-hearted and comical for what looked like the beginning of a two-episode arc and the second season’s final hurrah but boy was I wrong! And never before have I been so glad to be wrong as this finale is a wonderfully touching, emotional and more importantly narratively satisfying conclusion–while also opening so many doors to comes. I think I cried more in this episode than any other season finale this anime season (maybe) and while not a strict designator of quality it should certainly speak to the effectiveness of this particular episodes heart.

The Demon Girl Next Door – Episode 12 (Finale)

93/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

If it wasn’t already abundantly clear from my previous episodic reviews of this show the absolute best thing about this show has always been our Demon Girl Yuko and her ‘relationship’ with magical girl Momo and that’s more or less the focus of this episode (with some necessary attention given to Yuko’s father which anchors the episode–and indeed the series–with a touching revelation come the final minutes). This episode is every bit as funny and enjoyable as this show has been at it’s best, and while I arguably would have prefered if Momo became Yuko’s vassal like Lilith was planning, what we got was almost as good. I’m really going to miss this show… okay I’m just going to miss Yuko, she is honestly one of the best things to happen to anime in a long while.

Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san 2 – Episode 12 (Finale)

94/100 (DOWN 2 points from previous episode)

I mean sure, it’s a cliche rom-com trope but I still cried like a baby.

All things considered there would have to have been some pretty sizeable developments vis-a-vis the ‘relationship’ between Nishikata and Takagi for things to improve from last week’s near perfect emotional masterpiece and here’s the thing–from a singular episodic standpoint this episode is arguably better. It’s a beautifully put-together 23 minutes that hits all the emotional beats of the best rom-coms (only better because it’s an anime) but I’d be lying if I said my expectations were met because they weren’t. We didn’t get a kiss or a confession and we didn’t get a flash-forward scene–any of which would have made this episode absolutely perfect.

Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest – Episode 11

100/100 (UP 12 points from previous episode)

At this point most of my reviews for ‘Arifureta’ should come with the note that I am extremely biased and love this show—and more specifically our core cast of Hajime, Yue and Shea. But that 100/100 perfect score doesn’t come lightly or easily—even with my extreme bias. Because this show has slipped up before, but this episode genuinely felt like the ‘perfect’ episode of this series. It had a self contained story, it was brimming with brilliant character moments, the comedy, drama and action were all pitch perfect and we were introduced to a cute little mermaid who ranks as one of anime’s all time most adorable characters. Simply put, it was flawless and something this good only deserves the highest of possible scores.

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And with that Summer anime is (technically) over. The shows that are continuing into Fall will be covered in the respective Fall editions of these posts which will start the same time next week so look forward to that! Also, once all the episodes are done for this seasons ending shows I’ll do a round-up of all the shows from this season ranked from least favourite to most favourite but as ‘Arifureta’ is still going for two more weeks it’ll be a little while before that post comes out. Anyway, thank you all for reading!

Previous Summer 2019 Weekly Anime Review Posts:

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12

If you liked my post and want to support my content, please consider supporting my Patreon page, or donating by buying me a coffee on Ko-fi!

Week 12 of Summer 2019 Anime In Review

All the new anime episodes I watched in Week 12 of Summer 2019 ranked and reviewed!

Week 12 has come and gone, and with it a bunch of shows having their season finale! Let’s not waste any time and get straight to it!

If It’s For My Daughter, I’d Even Defeat The Demon Lord – Episode 12 (Finale)

79/100 (DOWN 1 point from previous episode)

This is practically half of Latina’s dialogue this episode…

I probably built up my expectations too much for this episode because it was a rather standard episode of the show and didn’t really offer anything groundbreaking in the way of character development nor moving the ‘relationship’ between Latina and Dale forward. If this show gets a second season I can see how this episode might be more necessary as it lays a lot of emotional groundwork for Latina’s feelings towards Dale but if it doesn’t get a second season then it kind of fell a little flat as far as a ‘finale’ goes.

Are You Lost? – Episode 12 (Finale)

82/100 (DOWN 1 point from previous episode)

While this was a surprisingly emotionally satisfying ‘conclusion’ of sorts I did take issue with one part of the episode and probably not for the reason other people did. Spoilers incoming, Homare and Shion are on the raft returning to the island and facing serious dehydration, with their only source of water being contaminated water that would probably kill them if they drank it orally Homare insists they ingest it through the anus so as to get hydrated without getting sick. Fair enough, but the way they do it is by tonguing the liquid into each other assholes. Subversive content is one of my favourite things in anime and so the action itself doesn’t bother me at all but the fact of the matter is they had PET bottles that were holding the liquid, why couldn’t they have used them to more effectively ‘deliver’ the liquids into their bodies? This show prides itself on its realism when it comes to survival advice but this felt kinda dumb.

Cop Craft – Episode 10

84/100 (DOWN 2 points from previous episode)

As much as I hate to mention it (because it doesn’t usually factor at all into my scoring of an episode) the production values took a bit of a hit this week, which was expected since it was delayed for those very reasons the previous week but it’s something to consider all the same. As for the actual plot of the episode things are moving along pretty quickly and the whole ‘racism’ aspect of this particular arc remains the most interesting thing about it.

Do You Love Your Mom And Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks? – Episode 11

85/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

There’s plenty of good in this episode (namely most of our female cast appearing in their lingerie) but the antics of the mothers are still a bit one-note. Thankfully though their part in the arc is resolved towards the end of the episode and in a way that was emotionally satisfying (even if I didn’t at all care about the characters involved) leaving us with plenty of room for a final showdown next episode!

Magical Sempai – Episode 12 (Finale)

85/100 (EVEN with previous episode)

‘Magical Sempai’ ended its run with two of its strongest episodes with both the comedy and the fan-service hitting all the right notes as well as some surprisingly endearing character moments. This show has definitely left me wanting more!

Is It Wrong To Try And Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? II – Episode 11

86/100 (DOWN 8 points from previous episode)

This was my favourite scene of the episode. And there wasn’t even any fan service in it!

Things take a turn for the more light-hearted and comedic with this final arc of the season and while I’m certainly no opponent of levity in any show and it is undoubtedly a funny episode I can’t help but think the penultimate episode of a series that’s had so many strong character and narrative moments deserves a more ‘epic’ conclusion. That said, I absolutely loved the few moments that dealt with all the different kinds of relationships between mortals and deities and if the focus of the final episode is more on that than goofy kidnapping plots then it’ll be all good.

Demon Lord, Retry! – Episode 12 (Finale)

86/100 (UP 4 points from previous episode)

I mean, why bother with sleep at this point!

One of my absolute favourite things about this finale is just how absurd it is that a fantasy isekai series has its ‘antagonist’ defeated by our protagonist demon lord by showing her the pleasures of hot springs. Also the fact that this episode is like 99% talking and has the gall to end on a cliffhanger too (and a pretty intriguing and hilarious one too) makes me just love this series all the more. This show was so unexpectedly off-kilter and haphazard and the final episode is just an embodiment of that too.

YU-NO: A Girl Who Chants Love At The Bound Of This World – Episode 24

86/100 (UP 4 points from previous episode)

Genki exposition AI girl is new best girl.

Its exposition overload in this episode as Takuya and the others get pretty much everything explained to them over the course of more than half the episode. And while that probably sounds boring and lazy (you know, the whole ‘show don’t tell’ criticism) I honestly think it works. A part of why it works so well is just how compelling it is, how easy and satisfying the pieces fit into place and how the information is imparted by two different people, to two different groups simultaneously, cutting between the two just enough to make it feel like it’s more action-packed than it really is. Just damn good anime exposition in a nutshell.

Fruits Basket – Episode 25 (Finale)

87/100 (DOWN 6 points from previous episode)

I look forward to Kyo becoming a better man, he’s well on the way.

Given how strong some of the later episodes of ‘Fruits Basket’ have been it’s kind of expected that its season finale would be something of a quieter affair, that’s not to say it’s an episode without emotion or interesting character and plot moments–the scene early on with Kyo confronting his Shisho was excellent for example–but this episode feels like its more keeping things warm until events can truly escalate in the upcoming second season.

given – Episode 11 (Finale)

87/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

Being in love for the first time is a big deal, for every part of a person.

The opening minutes of this episode was all sorts of adorable and hilarious but with a necessary bittersweet edge. The rest of the episode—while entertaining—didn’t carry the same kind of urgency or intrigue that I was hoping for. Nor did it really ‘end’ at all, which makes sense as there’s a movie continuation slated for next year but it kinda felt like they were holding off a bit too much in order to save big events for the aforementioned movie.

Wasteful Days of High School Girl – Episode 12 (Finale)

88/100 (DOWN 5 points from previous episode)

There was really only two ways this show could take a season finale considering this show has two modes; sincere or silly. And while I kinda prefer this show when it’s being sincere (it had a couple of episodes doing that–both of which were season highlights) our finale firmly landed in ‘silly’ territory and while it’s not as memorable because of it it’s at the very least frequently hilarious and expectedly ridiculous. I’m going to miss these girls…

Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest – Episode 10

88/100 (DOWN 6 points from previous episode)

Much as I love ‘Arifureta’ I have to be honest and say this episode had some problems–nothing egregious as to ruin an episode of course, but problems all the same. And most of them came from the editing which felt hurried and made scenes more confusing than they needed to be. That said the action was a lot of ridiculous fun, the character interactions were flawless (as has come to be expected) and the story is progressing along in a compelling manner.

How Heavy Are The Dumbbells You Lift? – Episode 12 (Finale)

89/100 (UP 2 points from previous episode)

I complained about Episode 4’s truncated beach episode in my seasonal review of it but the show makes up for it by giving us another beach episode and it being not only more sexy but also a lot more entertaining all round. And aside from the shenanigans involved in the talent show which are a lot of fun, the episode surprises by giving us a touching ending and a very interesting insert song.

Hensuki: Are you willing to fall in love with a pervert, as long as she’s a cutie? – Episode 11

90/100 (UP 3 points from previous episode)

Well as far as “saw that coming” moments this episode delivered to expectations by (lots of spoilers for the rest of the episode incoming) revealing that Keiki’s ‘Cinderella’ was his younger sister all along but despite this revelation being something of a foregone conclusion this episode still managed to awe and surprise by not only having their relationship be that of a non-blood relation (it’s cliche but it was delivered in a fun way) but also by the two of them sharing a kiss which felt like a much needed escalation in activities given what’s come in the show so far. All the pieces are in place for next week’s finale to be a truly dramatic episode… or just entirely unresolved, either is possible at this point.

The Demon Girl Next Door – Episode 11

92/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

Say what you want about ‘dream episodes’ but I personally love them and this episode is no different. Surreal imagery, nonsensical logic, personal comedy and deep revelations it’s all here and it’s all fantastic. And what’s not in the dream, the comedic misunderstanding at Yuuko’s front door and the ensuing plot revelation delivered by her mother that’s both deep and surprising and adds a lot of depth to the overall story going into the finale.

O Maidens In Your Savage Season – Episode 12 (Finale)

95/100 (UP 7 points from previous episode)

Last week, ‘O Maidens’ fumbled its near flawless run of episodes by almost “jumping the shark” in search of higher stakes and fever-pitch drama, and while I don’t think this episode justifies the overall silliness of the ‘siege‘ ploy that ended the previous episode it at least manages to back up its actions with serious introspective character development and emotionally charged moments for all of our characters which is all I ever wanted from this show anyway. I’m glad the show ended strongly and more in line with what came from the show at its height.

Fire Force – Episode 11

95/100 (EVEN with previous episode)

This episode gives us a flashback to the formation of Fire Company 8 as well as a bit of backstory for Obi, Hinawa and Maki. It’s specifically Hinawa who benefits from the time spent delving into his past as the straight-laced, by-the-books lieutenant is stripped back to reveal the tragedy he endured in the military and how it shaped him as a person. Everything else is just the high quality content we’ve come to expect from the series to this point so there’s not really much else to add.

Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san 2 – Episode 11

96/100 (UP 7 points from previous episode)

Much as I love this show (Takagi specifically) I can’t say I ever expected an episode of this show to be my favourite of any given week, that alone should be proof enough of the sheer power of this episode. And it’s kind of hard to put into words what makes this episode so special but basically we’re afforded the first kind of real step into Nishikata realising his true feelings for Takagi but it’s how much it affects her that brought so many happy tears to my eyes. This Summer season of anime has brought a lot of tears to my eyes, but none felt as powerful or long-earned as seeing Takagi’s shaky smile as she accepted Nishikata’s nervous invitation to the summer festival. This show is truly a masterpiece in subtle but meaningful character moments.

***

And that’s Week 12 done with, sad to say goodbye to most of these shows but we’ve still got content to come as there’s still a couple of stragglers who aren’t ending ’til next week (and some even later). Absent from this week’s list is ‘Re:Stage! Dream Days’ which had the week off. Thanks for reading!

Previous Summer 2019 Weekly Anime Review Posts:

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11

If you liked my post and want to support my content, please consider supporting my Patreon page, or donating by buying me a coffee on Ko-fi!

Week 11 of Summer 2019 Anime In Review

All the new anime episodes I watched in Week 11 of Summer 2019 ranked and reviewed!

It’s Week 11 of Summer 2019 and a lot of shows are having their penultimate episode! Here’s what I thought of the new episodes from this week with reviews and scores for each.

If It’s For My Daughter, I’d Even Defeat The Demon Lord – Episode 11

80/100 (DOWN 1 point from previous episode)

Nothing especially remarkable about this episode but nothing egregiously bad either, just more of what we’ve come to expect from this show, also Latina in a Yukata also… there’s an ending that hints at a possible time-jump further in the narrative. It’s a bit of a long shot all things considered but it’d certainly be interesting if they did it.

YU-NO: A Girl Who Chants Love At The Bound Of This World – Episode 23

82/100 (DOWN 3 points from previous episode)

Takuya is a lucky guy. Well you know, aside from all the tragedy.

For a show that spent so much time building to the point it had been, the arrival of the endgame comes quickly which puts the pacing at odds with the narrative. Its by no means a disaster, as this episode has its fair share of character development and wholly interesting moments (plus our protagonist manages to have sex with another girl–which makes it like 5 for the series so far–no mean feat and kind of refreshing for usually chaste visual novel adaptations) it’s just a shame things weren’t measured out a bit more evenly in regards to the narrative flow.

Demon Lord, Retry! – Episode 11

82/100 (UP 3 points from previous episode)

I kind of low-key love the fact that we’re at the penultimate episode and so far the only true overarching antagonist this show has is other people’s misconceptions of our Demon Lord protagonist and his true intentions (which are relatively benign and in some ways even admirable). Not a lot happens in this episode, but it’s still a good time all the same–plus the fact that nearly half the episode is spent with Yukikaze means its a winner in my books!

Are You Lost? – Episode 11

83/100 (DOWN 1 point from previous episode)

Emotions run high as Homare sets out on her one-woman rescue mission to find the adrift Shion. While the drama the previous episode promised with the stakes raising is more or less accomplished some of the coincidences involved with achieving such a rescue and doing so successfully strained credibility. Nevertheless it was still a very enjoyable adventure all the same.

Do You Love Your Mom And Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks? – Episode 10

84/100 (DOWN 5 points from previous episode)

This episode felt a little bit tonally all over the place but it still managed to be pretty funny throughout even if a lot of the jokes had punchlines you could see a mile away. Things dipped a bit in the latter half of the episode as an onslaught of nagging mothers bogged the comedy down from reaching anywhere near its true potential.

Magical Sempai – Episode 11

85/100 (UP 2 points from previous episode)

Assistant-kun has a wild imagination when it comes to his Sempai…

The second-half of this episode felt much more accomplished and cohesive than pretty much anything else this show has ever done which both proved the strain on the gag-anime format that it’s relied on up to this point and displayed that these characters would work better in a more traditional slice of life anime set-up. Also it was just plain hilarious too which is always a benefit!

Re:Stage! Dream Days♪ – Episode 10

86/100 (UP 6 points from previous episode)

After last week’s dip in quality with an unfortunately predictable plotline that only sought to pad out affairs things are more or less returning to normal with an emphasis on over-the-top comedy and introducing the other bands who our girls in KiRaRe will be competing against. There’s some genuine laugh-out-loud moments and the other bands all have considerable charisma and comedic potential themselves which makes for an engaging and refreshing time!

given – Episode 10

86/100 (DOWN 6 points from previous episode)

Things were understandably more low-key in this episode compared to last week’s bombastic emotional burst but nevertheless there was development and drama for almost every character and we’re finally getting to the heart of Mafuyu’s true character which is making for a much more enjoyable protagonist than the earlier episodes.

Hensuki: Are you willing to fall in love with a pervert, as long as she’s a cutie? – Episode 10

87/100 (EVEN with previous episode)

I mean it’s someone’s fetish (probably mine now, *thanks* anime…)

Our protagonist Keiki spends some time with best girl Yuika–as her slave–and it’s exactly the kind of fun and silly shenanigans you’ve come to expect from this show and this particular pairing. The second half of the episode teases at some more content with Mao which is good too!

How Heavy Are The Dumbbells You Lift? – Episode 11

87/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

I love how weird screencaps from this show look.

The stuff with New Years and the shrine to muscle’s was kinda dumb fun but a little bit lacking but it more than makes up for it with the televised talent show shenanigans that bring the laughs in a big way.

O Maidens In Your Savage Season – Episode 11

88/100 (DOWN 8 points from previous episode)

This is a tough one to review because on the one-hand I understand the need for a show to escalate the drama as it reaches its finale–which is exactly what this episode does–but on the other hand the actions of our girls here felt so over-the-top and out of character that I dare say the show jumped the shark at this point. That’s not to say that things aren’t dramatic or entertaining or interesting, they are still all of those things it’s just such an abrupt escalation of drama and emotion that feels like it comes from the pen of a different writer than the previous 10 episodes. I can only hope that next week’s finale offers a satisfying and in-character conclusion to these events as prior to this episode this was the anime of the season and I’d hate for that not to be the case because of its ending.

Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san 2 – Episode 10

89/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

I could just watch reaction images of Takagi’s face for 24 minutes and be content.

Once again another week brings us an incremental but nevertheless meaningful increase in the intimacy between Takagi and Nishikata. Meanwhile some side characters get fleshed out a little bit too which adds some more depth to the world but there’s no denying the true highlight is the final moments of the episode as they listen to a song together under a tree and we get a reprisal of the first seasons’ theme song that really tugs at the heartstrings.

The Demon Girl Next Door – Episode 10

91/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

Lilith’s temporary form was so fucking adorable.

With some of the focus of this episode given to more peripheral characters (the occultic scientist girl and Yuuko’s sister) it allows for some different interactions and let’s Yuko and Momo (and even Mikan) the chance for some different comedic moments that further broadens the show. The scenes with Lilith being “experimented” on were a definite highlight though!

Wasteful Days of High School Girl – Episode 11

92/100 (UP 5 points from previous episode)

Not that this show hasn’t shown itself capable of producing moving character-driven story-telling in the past (see Episode 3 for ample evidence of that fact) but it’s still always a little bit surprising when it commits to telling a full-episode length story with such affecting character development and its downright awe-inspiring when it pulls it off with such ease. The fact this episode was so convincing as well as sincere meant it was all kinds of special and I love that a show that’s so otherwise stupid and nonsensical can pull off this sincerity from time-to-time.

Fruits Basket – Episode 24

93/100 (UP 11 points from previous episode)

My eyes still sting from crying during this episode.

This episode dug deep into my very soul and hacked away at parts of me I’d long buried and forgotten. Powerful doesn’t even begin to describe the emotional and character scope of this particular episode of ‘Fruits Basket’ but what’s even more remarkable is that in the hands of a less capable writer and/or director this could have been a mess because while it’s content is not miles away from the fantastical elements of the show the ante is upped considerably here to the point where lesser talents could fumble the execution of such content. But ‘Fruits Basket’ 2019 is obviously in good hands as this episode is utterly heart-rending and evocative in all the best ways.

Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest – Episode 9

94/100 (UP 4 points from previous episode)

I’ve stopped paying attention to other reviewers toxic takes on this show and have just fully immersed myself in the series itself and I’m all the happier for it. Where this particular episode absolutely excels is in being wholly unpredictable in any given moment but the sum of these moments amounting to such a satisfying overall product. The introduction of yet another character to Hajime’s burgeoning harem (and a dragon no-less) isn’t what’s unexpected it’s unconventional and subversive way in which she’s brought into the fold. I won’t spoil anything for those wanting to watch later, but let’s just say she gives Darkness from ‘Konosuba’ a run for her money in the space of a single episode!

Is It Wrong To Try And Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? II – Episode 10

94/100 (UP 5 points from previous episode)

As a denouement for this particular arc of the story things are resolved in a wholly satisfying way and while various confrontations didn’t go ~exactly~ in the ways I expected the fact it managed to wrangle as many characters as it did into the narrative and make them feel necessary is no mean feat. Likewise Freya’s badass arrival as a full-fledged player on the scene had all the gravitas it required and even if the ongoing narrative feels a bit like ‘same shit, different day’ there’s at least the sense that the puzzle pieces are revealing a much bigger picture that goes beyond petty squabbling between egotistical gods and goddesses.

Fire Force – Episode 10

95/100 (UP 4 points from previous episode)

The world of ‘Fire Force’ continues to expand with introductions to no less than 5+(!) new characters in this episode as well as some visually impressive new locations. That aside the intrigue is certainly ramped up as we enter a new arc and the revelation of an antagonists identity threatens to bring the heat in coming episodes!

***

And that’s all the anime I watched in Week 11 with the exception of ‘Cop Craft’ which had a recap episode this week. Let me know what your best and worst of the week were and thanks for reading!

Previous Summer 2019 Weekly Anime Review Posts:

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10

If you liked my post and want to support my content, please consider supporting my Patreon page, or donating by buying me a coffee on Ko-fi!

Week 10 of Summer 2019 Anime In Review

All the new anime episodes I watched in Week 10 of Summer 2019 ranked and reviewed!

And here we are in Week 10! So close to the end of the season for so many shows! What follows are my reviews and scores for each of the seasonal anime I watched this week.

Demon Lord, Retry! – Episode 10

79/100 (DOWN 3 points from previous episode)

Tron is very cute, this show has too many best girls!

It’s weird to think this is episode 10 of this show, because not only are we treated to a very low-key, almost languid installment but likewise the series as it is now doesn’t really have any antagonist to speak of or any forward narrative drive. Ordinarily I wouldn’t care as the majority of anime I watch for the characters and not the plot but it still seems odd–then again, this show has proven to be an oddity all season so I don’t know why I should expect differently from this show now!

Re:Stage! Dream Days♪ – Episode 9

80/100 (DOWN 8 points from previous episode)

Why couldn’t you just have said that from the start?!

Last week I called this show “this seasons’ most consistent anime” and at the time that was accurate as the score’s hadn’t deviated more than two points episode to episode and yet here we are with a drop of eight points for Episode 9. Sure that’s by no means the biggest decline of a show this season (or even this week) but this is easily the weakest of ‘Re:Stage’s’ episodes thus far. The action takes a step back from the high-stakes world of idol contests and settles for a whole ‘mother doesn’t approve of character becoming an idol’ subplot that feels pretty contrived this late in the game. It’s still a fun episode and there’s some good character moments but it’s still a shame they went for such a lazy story device and wrap it up just as quickly as it comes up.

If It’s For My Daughter, I’d Even Defeat The Demon Lord – Episode 10

81/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

I’m glad Latina has an extended family now. She deserves it.

More of the same means not much of consequence to talk about, this show is still entertaining and enjoyable if nothing remarkable. Though I did like the fact that Latina was “officially” welcomed into the Teathrow clan as it made this whole arc mean a lot more considering where the story is inevitably heading (no spoilers!).

Fruits Basket – Episode 23

82/100 (DOWN 13 points from previous episode)

I look forward to knowing, I’m sure I’ll cry too…

This episode felt a lot like earlier episodes, hence the dramatic drop in the rankings, that’s not to say that the early episodes were bad or anything just flawed and occasionally annoying. With the focus back on the boys and their relationship with Tohru didn’t exactly make for the most compelling of times–that said, the hints at developing the relationship and backstory between Kyo and Kagura suggests something more dramatic and narratively rich to come.

Magical Sempai – Episode 10

83/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

In a show full of massive boobed girls it’s nice see more of the humble sized Madara-san.

Beach episode! And as far as beach episodes go it hit all the predictable–but nonetheless enjoyable–tropes that it needed to, balancing the fun and the fan service with ease. Inserting Madara-san into the mix however was an inspired decision on the show’s front as I feel she’s an invaluable part of the cast, though one who has been sadly underutilised so far.

Are You Lost? – Episode 10

84/100 (EVEN with previous episode)

Just when things were starting to get comfortable (or about as comfortable as living on a deserted island could be) for the girls the episode ends with Shion getting washed out to sea on a raft amping up the drama and stakes considerably. Everything else about the episode is the usual solid quality entertainment so there’s not much else to say!

YU-NO: A Girl Who Chants Love At The Bound Of This World – Episode 22

85/100 (EVEN with previous episode)

A lot of moments in this episode felt like the previous episode repeated for the sake of padding out the story and then there were also a lot of positively inspired and downright tear-jerking moments which elevated the material beyond. Also, Kunkun is best anime girl ever even though she’s [redacted] now. Damn it, show, why do you put me through this emotional torture!

Cop Craft – Episode 9

86/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

And a school swimsuit at that. Nice choice, Tilarna.

The first half of the episode wraps up the events of last week’s more light-hearted shenanigans in a satisfying way and introduces us to a brand new arc that ups the ante considerably and brings the whole ‘racism’ aspect between the Earthlings and other-worlders–which had only just been touched upon–to a head. The writing feels especially strong in this new arc (a scene where Kei schools a racist police officer on the route of his racism is a particularly strong point) and will hopefully continue to grow from strength to strength in coming episodes.

How Heavy Are The Dumbbells You Lift? – Episode 10

86/100 (UP 10 points from previous episode)

Things have balanced out and more or less returned to ‘normal’ after last week’s season-low episode. The Christmas Party portion of the episode was predictable but a lot of fun, while the second-half dealing with Akemi and Machio’s “date” at a parody version of Tokyo Disneyland has undoubtedly the highlight as it was quirky, irreverent and borderline ridiculous.

Hensuki: Are you willing to fall in love with a pervert, as long as she’s a cutie? – Episode 9

87/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

Can’t flash your panties if you’re not wearing any! 200 IQ plays.

There were a lot of unexpected moments in this episode that helped elevate beyond its peers this week and while none of them earth-shattering in gravitas they added a certain realism and honesty to the events which cannot be understated.

Wasteful Days of High School Girl – Episode 10

87/100 (EVEN with previous episode)

Popping bubble wrap can soothe even the savagest (or stupidest in this case) beast.

After what seems like an eternity of episodes focused on the various supporting characters of this show we finally get an episode more centered on our main three girls–which ends up being something of a mixed blessing as the content is both comedically focused but also somewhat repetitive. That said, the big laughs in this episode more than make up for the repeated content and likewise the few scenes of our side characters feel all the more impactful for their brevity. Also, the post credits rap sequence from ‘Yamai’ is all kinds of inspired…

Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san 2 – Episode 9

88/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

I know this is going to end up someone’s phone wallpaper, and I can hardly blame them…

The thing that was so surprising and endearing about this episode was seeing Takagi-san in a different light than we’d ever seen her previously, that being worried, distracted and contemplative and even though it was for just one of the episode’s four segments it really hit home as did Nishikita’s simple but meaningful gesture to cheer her up. The final segment though, felt especially intimate and modern in a way that I feel like this show should have been all along–that’s not a complaint as such, just an observation.

Do You Love Your Mom And Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks? – Episode 9

89/100 (UP 6 points from previous episode)

Even in a fantasy world you need to get your priorities in order!

We’re barely an episode away from the previous arc and already things have picked up considerably–indeed with the focus away from stale schoolyard shenanigans and Medimama’s influence the show gets the breadth to shine again. This new arc concerns a certain tower which holds the power to grant wishes and while that’s interesting enough it’s made all the more entertaining by the fact that we’re introduced to a klutzy ‘anti-mom’ girl who steals the show and an overall relaxed vibe that even has our protagonists shopping in a WalMart style superstore. Is this review confusing? Congratulations, so is this show, but I still love it all the same!

Is It Wrong To Try And Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? II – Episode 9

89/100 (DOWN 5 points from previous episode)

There’s something about this episode that was slightly disappointing compared to the previous ones in this particular arc, while it’s still building in a satisfying way towards its conclusion and contains action and drama and character development it was more than a bit annoying to find out that Ishtar, the main antagonist’s sole motivating factor for wanting to take down the Freya familiar is because she’s mad that people think she is more attractive than her. For all the good writing this arc has contained with regards to its female characters, painting these prostitutes in various moral shades rather than simple black and white then having such a cliche and laughable motivation for the antagonist felt kind of cheap. That said there was so much good in this episode (Mokoto pretty much stole the show) that it’s almost something I can overlook–almost.

The Demon Girl Next Door – Episode 9

90/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

This show has always been high quality entertainment but this episode kind of felt like a lot of it coming together in a nice way and in a way a pure distillation of everything great about this series. Mikan–despite being a recent addition to the cast–has integrated herself so well into the show it’s like she was always there, which is no small feat to be sure!

Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest – Episode 8

90/100 (DOWN 8 points from previous episode)

It’s the moment (some) people have been waiting for—Hajime is reunited with his class, specifically his teacher and a couple of classmates who are working farming rice. The reason I added the qualifier “some” is because I don’t care about their portion of the story I’m only interested in Hajime and Yue and Shea’s journey not the story of any of his classmates. Thankfully the episode handles things well enough that I don’t hate everyone immediately (even though the teacher is nosy and annoying) and while the episode ends with them joining our trio I can hope they remain peripheral side characters and not intrude too much on the screen time of our main characters.

Fire Force – Episode 9

91/100 (DOWN 2 points from previous episode)

Another perfectly entertaining episode of ‘Fire Force’, though in some ways felt like it was just hurrying its way to the point in the story where Tamaki (finally) joins the 8th Company–not that I’m complaining as she’s my favourite character–but a lot of the consequences of Rekka’s actions seemed downplayed in comparison.

given – Episode 9

92/100 (UP 13 points from previous episode)

There was no surprise that an episode dealing with Mafuyu’s feelings for his deceased childhood friend and lover put to a song would be anything less than emotionally charged and powerful. What is surprising is just how well the whole episode comes together, bringing seemingly disparate moments from the previous 8 episodes together and elevating them into a meaningful and honestly devastatingly beautiful crescendo. Aside from the aforementioned song (which was pretty much a flawless couple of minutes of anime) the rest of the episode had such rich character moments for everyone in the main cast–and even some in the side–that it’s hard not to be impressed by it all.

O Maidens In Your Savage Season – Episode 10

96/100 (UP 2 points from previous episode)

Not wearing any underwear is the theme of the week, apparently!

The character drama hits an all time-high and unlike some previous episodes where certain character’s stories may have been sidelined in favour of others, everyone gets a substantial slice of the action here. Even Momoko, who’s had the slowest progress narratively gets a big character shake-up and while not unexpected it’s almost flawlessly executed and so painfully raw to behold. There’s really no stopping this show when it’s at the height of its powers (which is more often than not).

***

And that’s all the anime I watched in Week 10! Let me know what your best and worst of the week were and thanks for reading!

Previous Summer 2019 Weekly Anime Review Posts:

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9

If you liked my post and want to support my content, please consider supporting my Patreon page, or donating by buying me a coffee on Ko-fi!

Week 9 of Summer 2019 Anime In Review

All the new anime episodes I watched in Week 9 of Summer 2019 ranked and reviewed!

And now we have Week 9 of seasonal anime! Missing from the list is ‘Isekai Cheat Magician’ which I’ve put on indefinite hold–maybe I’ll get back to it, maybe I won’t–either way I won’t be watching it weekly anymore. Anyway, let’s get on with the anime, as always ranked from least favourite to most favourite.

How Heavy Are The Dumbbells You Lift? – Episode 9

76/100 (DOWN 8 points from previous episode)

Expect to see a lot of this guy throughout this episode, for better or worse.

“Pointless”, is how I’d describe this episode as almost our entire cast is sidelined in favour of their trainer Machio having a body-building competition sponsored by his old mentor famous movie-star ‘Barnold Shortsinator’ (I’m sure you can guess the parody here). While not un-funny, it does feel like a lot of the same jokes repeated over and over and likewise the whole body-building scene is absurd in real life and yet is played completely straight here which only leads to a feeling of awkwardness around the whole episode. It’s a shame to see a show drop this far from its highest point (it had scored a 97 for Episode 6) but such is the nature of comedy sometimes. Thankfully this seems like less of an ‘arc’ then it does a diversion so hopefully things will be better next week!

given – Episode 8

79/100 (DOWN 1 point from previous episode)

This show is sure taking its sweet time getting to its centrepiece scene (which is presumably the live show and Mafuyu’s song), while there’s a lot of really good moments here such as the subtle and respectfully handled flashbacks and the cute scenes between Akihiko and Ugetsu it feels like a lot of this episode was treading water to drag out the aforementioned centrepiece to even later in the series. Still, it’s a good looking and entertaining show even if it suffers from pacing problems.

If It’s For My Daughter, I’d Even Defeat The Demon Lord – Episode 9

80/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

Not much of consequence happened in this episode, at least as far as anything pertaining to a narrative, however there was a lot of world-building and character development which certainly helped to keep things interesting. Plus Latina playing with a bunch of dogs (and then later some magical talking fox creatures) was pretty darn cute too!

Magical Sempai – Episode 9

82/100 (UP 2 points from previous episode)

Did someone say swimsuit episode?! Yes, in the grand tradition of slice of life comedies there’s often the pre-beach episode episode dealing with the trying-on of swimsuits and from both a comedic and fan service standpoint this episode did not disappoint!

Demon Lord, Retry! – Episode 9

82/100 (EVEN with previous episode)

Actual bunny girls wearing bunny girl outfits.

As crazy as this show was (and still kinda is) it does seem like its settling into a point with all its seemingly unfocused energy and of course we’re ~still~ introducing new characters as well as revisiting some old ones both minor and important. At the end of the day though the show is just a lot of fun and that’s something I can’t ever fault.

Do You Love Your Mom And Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks? – Episode 8

83/100 (EVEN with previous episode)

Finally we have the conclusion to the Medhi/Medhimama arc, a four episode arc that could have (and should have) easily been two episodes. The action isn’t nearly as dynamic or interesting as the battle with Wise’s mother though the emotional beats and acting are still high quality. And, almost immediately after Medhimama leaves towards the end of the episode the show improves to the higher standards of its earlier days with Shirase stealing the show with a hilarious gatcha sequence. Hopefully the show will retain this level of entertainment in its final third.

Are You Lost? – Episode 9

84/100 (DOWN 1 point from previous episode)

You’d think an episode made up of nearly 25% flashbacks to Homare’s childhood would have trouble keeping the audience’s attention or be unfocused or poorly paced, but this episode is yet another great and entertaining experience that balances the humour, the survival aspects and most importantly the fan-service perfectly!

YU-NO: A Girl Who Chants Love At The Bound Of This World – Episode 21

85/100 (DOWN 1 point from previous episode)

There’s a lot of necessary but kind of dry set-up in this episode that’s busy putting all the pieces in place for the inevitable finale. There’s some questionable sexual violence played for laughs (though it’s against Takuya so I guess that’s okay?) but there’s some fun character moments interspersed with some dramatic (although not unexpected) reveals and the introduction of Amanda and her hidden resistance force is kind of an awesome conclusion to the episode and promises big things for future episodes!

Cop Craft – Episode 8

85/100 (DOWN 2 points from previous episode)

Only in anime would a cop drama have one of the main characters using a litter box after a body swap.

While I imagine people expecting more serious cop-drama/action from this episode might be disappointed by the sitcom antics of this episode; Tilarna encounters a magical item that mind swaps her with Kei’s cat Chloe, shenanigans ensue. I thought it was hilarious, charming and even a little bit sexy (okay maybe that last one is a stretch, honestly I just appreciated seeing Tilarna’s butt) and what’s more a bit of light-hearted levity in a series that can be quite dark is a nice way of breaking things up.

Hensuki: Are you willing to fall in love with a pervert, as long as she’s a cutie? – Episode 8

86/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

If I like this does this make me a furry now? Because I like this.

That sort of mystery almost detective quality that the early episodes benefited so wholly on returns in this eighth episode with the ‘Cinderella panties’ that launched this whole series of perverted events taking something of a centre-stage. Not only that Keiki’s little sister Mizuha finally gets a chance to shine and cements herself as a solid contender for a potential love interest, even if brother dearest doesn’t want to admit as such. It’s fun, it’s funny, it’s sweetly perverted, it’s everything this show does well!

Wasteful Days of High School Girl – Episode 9

87/100 (UP 6 points from previous episode)

Lily takes centre-stage in this episode (more-or-less) and her fashion-centric make-over shenanigans with Loli and Majime are sources of near constant laughs throughout. Having our main three girls take a backseat does leave the episode feeling a bit lacking of the quintessential quality that made it a winner in the early episodes but their brief appearances are just enough to stop things from getting ~too~ repetitive.

Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san 2 – Episode 8

87/100 (DOWN 1 point from previous episode)

What’s wonderful about this episode is just how hard Takagi plays at tempting Nishikata and how well the show does at creating an intimate and dare I say enticing atmosphere that shows the full strength of Takagi’s allure not just as a character but as a woman wholly in command of her surrounds. Sure, from the outside it may look like this episode is more of the same but truly there is a sense that things are reaching a critical stage in their relationship–even if Nishikita isn’t even fully aware of it himself.

Re:Stage! Dream Days♪ – Episode 8

88/100 (DOWN 1 point from previous episode)

Another instalment of what might be this seasons’ most consistently great series (or just an anime that knows exactly what it is and how to execute it well). I was especially glad that we got to see full performances from some of the other idol groups and while the ~drama~ of this episode was kind of over-the-top and catty, you have to remember we’re dealing with middle school girls here. Plus we got a look at two more idol groups that look even more interesting than the one’s we’ve already become acquainted with which just makes the thought of what’s to come all the more alluring!

The Demon Girl Next Door – Episode 8

89/100 (UP 2 points from previous episode)

So there’s a new magical girl on the block and contrary to first impressions (or rather Yuuko’s fevered over-reactions) she’s not the super killer bent on ridding the world of demons but is but another part of Yuuko’s growing support network. Also it helps that she’s a klutzy, cursed magical girl with a bunch of hang-ups of her own that rather than detract from the comedy ‘odd-couple’ that’s by now well-established only helps to freshen things up all things considered.

Fire Force – Episode 8

93/100 (DOWN 1 point from previous episode)

Jumping straight to the second-half of this episode as that’s where the bulk of discussion is deservedly committed to and while I appreciate just how dark this episode was at it suitably upped the ante for all involved–especially best girl Tamaki who was subject to nothing less than a complete verbal, emotional and physical beating. I was disappointed at both how quickly this plot point arose, grew to be a mystery and then was ultimately resolved in the space of a single episode (more or less). Also, I’m hoping this isn’t the start of some ‘My Hero Academia’-esque Midoriya x Ochako romance ~thing~ between Shinra and Tamaki because the last thing this series needs is for a character as assumedly strong as Tamaki to become a helpless damsel. I’ll give the character and show the benefit of the doubt for this episode as the sheer shock of having someone you admire like she did with Lieutenant Rekka turn out to be a literal child killer would have on a person and render them said ‘damsel’ but let’s not make a habit out of this, okay Fire Force?

O Maidens In Your Savage Season – Episode 9

94/100 (DOWN 4 points from previous episode)

It seems like with each passing week this show gets harder and harder to talk about because it does everything with such effortless perfection that heaping more praise upon it feels lazy and likewise attempting meaningful discussion fails in comparison to the material itself. Love is complicated and messy and wonderful and sweet and drives even the most sane to the brink of madness, likewise this show seems to capture so many alternating and seemingly contradictory facets of relationships that makes it an intoxicating clusterfu…

Is It Wrong To Try And Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? II – Episode 8

94/100 (UP 2 points from previous episode)

Haruhime comforting Bell after his almost sexual assault.

Aside from being dramatic, tense and almost entirely excellent as is pretty much true to most of the best this show has offered this season this episode provided a rare piece of content that I don’t think I’ve ever seen in an anime before. That being a male rape victim at the hands of a female perpretrator and it being presented as a horrible, dehumanising and especially non-sexy thing (which is pretty much unheard of for an anime with a male target audience). Indeed there’s something unexpectedly mature about this entire arc with regard to its whole approach to sexuality both male and female, the idea of personal worth and prostitution and indeed the value of the human body itself as a concept. The more I think about this arc and this episode in particular, the more impressed I am with its mere existence and makes me kind of wish I was reviewing episodic anime in full because there’s just so much to talk about in regards to it.

Fruits Basket – Episode 22

95/100 (UP 7 points from previous episode)

This episode is exactly why I think this show is far more interesting when its focusing on its female characters. If Saki wasn’t already one of my favourites before this episode cemented her as one of anime’s truly great creations and likewise her struggle, her journey and her friendship with Tohru and Arisa is all kinds of emotional and powerful to behold. Honestly when I started ‘Fruits Basket’ all these months ago I never thought an episode of it could bring me to tears as resolutely as this one did and yet here we are. This show at its best is something truly special.

Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest – Episode 7

98/100 (UP 12 points from previous episode)

I mean in this situation my goal would be a threesome but I guess we all have different priorities…

Well, ‘Arifureta’ continues to leave me utterly speechless in all the best ways. Last week I was concerned at the thought of our new party member Shea the rabbit-girl upsetting the perfect balance that Hajime and Yue had forged in their relationship and yet this week not only showed her worth both as a party member and a comic foil but completely won me over with her voice acting and antics. But even excluding how well Shea integrated into the team and the narrative, this episode had our gang face another labyrinth and it visually compelling, wonderfully weird, action-packed and richly entertaining. Unless it’s not blatantly obvious by now I love this damn show!

***

And that’s all the anime I watched in Week 9! Let me know what your best and worst of the week were and thanks for reading!

Previous Summer 2019 Weekly Anime Review Posts:

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8

If you liked my post and want to support my content, please consider supporting my Patreon page, or donating by buying me a coffee on Ko-fi!

Week 8 of Summer 2019 Anime In Review

All the new anime episodes I watched in Week 8 of Summer 2019 ranked and reviewed!

Week 8 has come and gone! What follows is a list of episodes of seasonal anime ranked from worst to best, their individual score (and the change in score from the previous episode) plus a little review of each. Let’s get started!

Isekai Cheat Magician – Episode 7

65/100 (DOWN 10 points from previous episode)

At this point the only thing stopping me from dropping this show is that the female characters are still enjoyable to watch. Though I think the writing is getting progressively worse (this is the lowest ranking episode of any anime I’ve watched this entire Summer season FYI), it relies too heavily on lazy story-telling and character tropes which sucks almost all the enjoyment out of an otherwise entertaining show. I’d go into it more but I really don’t care about this series anymore. Such a shame considering the potential it had early on…

If It’s For My Daughter, I’d Even Defeat The Demon Lord – Episode 8

79/100 (DOWN 3 points from previous episode)

Yes, wait til she’s at least 16 before banging your adopted daughter.

The first half of the episode with Dale and Latina visiting some furry relatives felt pretty aimless and weird however the latter half with us finally reaching Dale’s hometown and meeting his immediate family was much more satisfying and entertaining especially the rapport between Dale and his parents–other than that it was more or less business as usual for this show.

Magical Sempai – Episode 8

80/100 (UP 2 points from previous episode)

I feel like I’ve seen this kind of thing somewhere before…

More ‘business as usual’ anime here with the various parts of the episode varying in quality and comedy but on the whole still delivering an entertaining experience.

given – Episode 7

80/100 (UP 3 points from previous episode)

The slow but steady rise in overall quality of this show has reached its peak (so far) and yes, I officially think this show is “great” (as an 80 or higher score would imply). I’m still not sold on Mafuyu’s character or the overall portrayal but everyone else is great. The conversation between Uenoyama and Akihiko in front of the vending machine talking about their sexuality was honestly brilliant and even touching (I’d be willing to watch more ‘yaoi’ anime if these kinds of things were handled with such sensitivity and understanding), meanwhile the flashbacks to Akihiko’s first love were markedly more interesting than anything else that had happened in the show thus far.

Wasteful Days of High School Girl – Episode 8

81/100 (DOWN 7 points from previous episode)

Ordinarily I don’t get ~triggered~ by “gross-out” visuals, bodily fluids of any kind I have no problem with but for some reason the recurring ‘gag’ of barnacles growing on the inside of a bikini top made me so queasy that I almost couldn’t continue with the episode at several points. That’s the sole reason for the fact this show dropped in the rankings so much from the previous episode because otherwise it’s a funny and even kind of clever take on the ‘beach episode’ dynamics and even meta in a kind of way I didn’t expect. If the ‘bra barnacle’ visuals hadn’t been included I could have confidently given this an 87/100.

Demon Lord, Retry! – Episode 8

82/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

I like this new girl (but then again I like *all* the girls in this show)…

A lot of dangling plot points got satisfyingly resolved in this episode as well as the introduction of (even more) new characters and it made the episode all the more ‘complete’ feeling because of it.

Do You Love Your Mom And Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks? – Episode 7

83/100 (DOWN 1 point from previous episode)

Many things but I’m a gentlemen so I’ll keep my mouth shut.

If you remember my previous reviews for this show, the Medhi and her mother arc hasn’t been as enjoyable as the previous ones and I was hoping that this 3rd episode would wrap it up but alas we’re treated to another cliffhanger ending meaning it’ll be stretched to (at least) a 4th episode. I’m not sure why this series felt the need to spend so much time on this arc as its resolution seems a lot more obvious than Wise’s (and that was wrapped up in about 3 episodes). That said, the school festival scenes were still fun and Mamako remains absolutely endearing in her ‘motherly-ness’.

How Heavy Are The Dumbbells You Lift? – Episode 8

84/100 (DOWN 7 points from previous episode)

Here’s your out-of-context anime image if the week!

The previous two episodes (and episode 6 in particular) were examples of this show at its full-force both creatively and comedically, so it’s somewhat of a shame to see this series fall into some predictability and cliches. Even the introduction of two new characters–in the form of two other school-teachers at Hibiki’s school–doesn’t offer that much in the way of either innovation or originality. If it seems like I’m being unfairly harsh on this show it’s just because of the disappointment considering the lofty highs of better instalments because it’s still a wonderfully funny and silly show otherwise.

Are You Lost? – Episode 8

85/100 (UP 3 points from previous episode)

The full moon looks very beautiful tonight.

Of all the things I’d expect to see from a show about girls surviving on a desert island one of the last things I’d expect was a damn hot springs episode! And what’s more it’s a surprisingly inventive, situationally appropriate and most importantly sexy and funny take on the hot springs episode formula. Also the running gag with Asuka diving into the sea only to nearly die was hilarious!

Hensuki: Are you willing to fall in love with a pervert, as long as she’s a cutie? – Episode 7

85/100 (DOWN 1 point from previous episode)

Especially if it’s affecting other people.

Considering the overall light-hearted comedic tone of this show thus far I didn’t expect an episode that had the amount of character depth that this one did and for the focus to be almost entirely be taken away from the protagonist for the sake of developing the ‘relationship’ between two side-characters. It’s a complete runaway success however as things inevitably fall back into routine by the closing minutes but it was still interesting to see a self-identifying lolicon side-character (who would otherwise be comic relief in a lesser series) get such time and attention within a show’s narrative.

YU-NO: A Girl Who Chants Love At The Bound Of This World – Episode 20

86/100 (DOWN 2 points from previous episode)

Where this episode succeeds is in its sheer dramatic weight and the unexpected turn of events that run through what can only be described as a series of increasingly tragic scenes for our protagonist. That said, it does get a little wearying by the end and the ‘faceless’ villains are especially one-dimensional and cruel as if to hammer home a plot point. Nevertheless YU-NO remains pretty damn compelling, well-written, voice-acted and overall executed despite the flaws.

Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest – Episode 6

86/100 (DOWN 9 points from previous episode)

Your bunny-girl fan service delivery is right on schedule.

For those familiar with me as an anime watcher I bet you’d expect me to be frothing at the mouth at the prospect of a busty genki scantily clad bunny-girl joining this show’s cast! And ordinarily you’d be 100% correct but here… I don’t know, while aesthetically Shea is pleasing addition to the show but I was already so sold on Hajime and Yue’s pairing that I didn’t need anything added to the mix. Maybe her over-the-top antics and high energy presence will bring a new dynamic to the team but right now I’m hoping she takes more of a back seat/supportive position in the journey to come.

The Demon Girl Next Door – Episode 7

87/100 (DOWN 2 points from previous episode)

In this episode, an inanimate object gets drunk on a highball.

Last week I commented that I was hopeful the big narrative development that occurred would “shake things up” and while not quite the earthquake I was expecting the episode still delivered enough tremors to the tried and tested formula.

Cop Craft – Episode 7

87/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

Tilarna’s casual wear is absolutely adorable.

An unexpectedly touching episode that amped up the character drama and reminded me of some of the best episodes of ‘Banana Fish’ (that might seem like an odd comparison but I feel like the shows at least share a lot of similar thematic sensibilities). This is a season high for this show and I hope it continues along these lines as it’s proving itself to be a terrific experience overall.

Fruits Basket – Episode 21

88/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

I love the character of Saki Hanajima so having an entire episode devoted to her dark “wave” shenanigans is pretty much a dream come true. There’s a wonderful comedic through-line that permeates this whole experience and while the episode itself is pretty predictable (especially with regard to its conclusion) it’s also a whole lot of fun!

Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san 2 – Episode 7

88/100 (UP 3 points from previous episode)

Even seeing this single screen-cap has me tearing up.

So here’s the thing, this episode contains probably my favourite moment of this entire week of seasonal anime–and it lasts literally 5 seconds. The rest of the episode is more-or-less what we’ve come to expect from this show and so I’m left in the difficult position of reviewing a single ‘blink-and-you’ll-miss-it’ moment versus the other 23 minutes of the episode. Simply put this episode is still a wonderful moment but its the overall experience (and I mean that as a fan from the beginning) that makes the in-between moments all the more wonderful.

Re:Stage! Dream Days♪ – Episode 7

89/100 (UP 4 points from previous episode)

So proud of how my girls performed in this episode!

The ~drama~ was ratcheted up to 11 in this episode and in any other show it might have seemed contrived or cliche but I feel like in a show that’s otherwise ostensibly a CGDCT show having so much character development and tension and drama just makes it feel all the more unique and satisfying. And (mild spoilers incoming) the fact that KiRaRe managed to perform, do so flawlessly and pull it off within the confines of the narrative and technically speaking (their big performance is 2D animated–like the show itself–and looks gorgeous for it) was the icing on the proverbial cake.

Is It Wrong To Try And Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? II – Episode 7

92/100 (DOWN 1 point from previous episode)

Continuing on from the events of last week’s excellent episode as well as broadening the mythos and mystique behind the Ishtar familia, there’s a palpable sense of tension to the proceedings (as well as the requisite humour and character development). But it’s the scenes around Haruhime that show the greatest shine as the writing is particularly nuanced and compelling with regards to her status as a prostitute and what that means when it comes to their relationships with heroes in both the legends of old and the real world they live in.

Fire Force – Episode 7

94/100 (UP 2 points from previous episode)

Tamaki is adorable in whatever she wears (but I prefer her fire-fighting bikini).

While Hibana’s move from the ‘dark side’ over to the good guys may have felt fast (though not unearned) it at least serves a greater purpose both narratively and comedically as she spends a fair chunk of time on the screen in the first half of the episode and it’s all the more fun for it. The new arc begins proper in the second-half as Shinra, Arthur and some other lads go undercover in Company 1 to see if they are the ones responsible for creating infernals. There’s some terrifically fun sparring (both physical and verbal) and Company 1’s Captain Leonard Burns shows just how terrifyingly strong of an antagonist he might (probably will) end up becoming as he takes on Shinra’s full force and barely suffers a singe. It’s all enticing and dynamic groundwork for things to come.

O Maidens In Your Savage Season – Episode 8

98/100 (UP 3 points from previous episode)

Took you long enough! Geez! But seriously, am crying right now.

So many story threads come together in such a satisfying emotional way in this episode that were it not for some other characters being sidelined a bit this could very well function as a season finale! Thankfully we’ve still got four episodes left of this wonderful show but Kazusa and Rika’s (the latter in particular) respective journeys are given such heart-warming and tear-jerking pay-offs that it’s almost hard to fault the episode. Even the characters who aren’t nearing the end of their emotional character arcs like Hongo, Momoka and even Niina are given important scenes that seek to pave the way for more drama to come!

***

And that’s all the anime I watched in Week 8! Let me know what your best and worst of the week were and thanks for reading!

Previous Summer 2019 Weekly Anime Review Posts:

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7

If you liked my post and want to support my content, please consider supporting my Patreon page, or donating by buying me a coffee on Ko-fi!

Week 7 of Summer 2019 Anime In Review

All the new anime episodes I watched in Week 7 of Summer 2019 ranked and reviewed!

Week 7! As always the following is a list of episodes of seasonal anime ranked from worst to best, their individual score (and the change in score from the previous episode) plus a little review of each. Let’s go!

Isekai Cheat Magician – Episode 6

70/100 (DOWN 8 points from previous episode)

This episode employed my absolutely most hated of all narrative tropes, the “all bad guys are rapists” trope–it’s a prime example of lazy writing and trying to inject drama and ‘edginess’ for the sheer sake of it. Thankfully for our female characters none of them were actually subjected to any sexual violence but still the mere invocation of it was a crater-like low-point in an episode that was otherwise decent(?). The episode highlight of which was Rin’s scientific approach to casting magic of mass destruction and the women kicking butt. Other than that though this show continues to fall in my favour with each passing week thanks to lacklustre writing and cheap attempts at seeming relevant amongst throngs of similar shows.

given – Episode 6

77/100 (UP 2 points from previous episode)

I’ve missed this version of Mafuyu from like the last 5 episodes…

I’ll give this episode some props for making Mafuyu an actually interesting character but even then it felt like such a sudden change to his very identity (he actually seemed like he had a brain and new how to use it in this episode) that I couldn’t help but find it jarring regardless of how much of an improvement it was. Things are still moving slowly but at the very least I think this show is showing off some more dramatic chops than it had previously.

Magical Sempai – Episode 7

78/100 (DOWN 5 points from previous episode)

At first I thought expanding the cast would have resulted in a more rounded experience but if this episode is any indicator than the opposite may in-fact be true. It’s not bad by any means, it still retains a lot of what made this show fun from the get-go, it’s just spreading its content thin and making me worry about the quality of future episodes.

Demon Lord, Retry! – Episode 7

81/100 (EVEN with previous episode)

Me, when reading most other people’s opinions on seasonal anime.

It’s official, I unironically love how slap-dash and silly this show is and even in an episode where the action and drama is hiked up it still manages to deliver some of the most absurd and unexpected moments in any anime this season… and I’m still not sure if that’s a good thing all things considered but it sure makes for a damn fun time regardless!

Are You Lost? – Episode 7

82/100 (EVEN with previous episode)

I mean, what else would it be a dock for?

The decision for the girls to (finally) properly explore the island offers this series’ its greatest potential to elevate its material beyond survivalist shenanigans and while there’s a certain irresistibly compelling feeling of discovery that reminded me of the early seasons of US TV series ‘Lost’ (especially when they found the abandoned stone pier) this episode existed as mere set-up as the cliffhanger ending either promises something substantially interesting or something predictably disappointing.

If It’s For My Daughter, I’d Even Defeat The Demon Lord – Episode 7

82/100 (UP 2 points from previous episode)

There was something pleasantly and endearingly low-key about watching Dale and Latina explore some new cities on their way back to his childhood hometown. It was comforting and warm but it didn’t just rest on this feeling alone as it also managed to squeeze in a fair chunk of exposition and world-building about the demon world, its society and the various demon lords who control each demon-city. It was about as interesting as this show has been thus far at least on the world-building side of things though I wonder if it’ll play a part in the larger series’ narrative going forward considering we’re more than half-way through the season.

Do You Love Your Mom And Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks? – Episode 6

84/100 (UP 4 points from previous episode)

I expressed my mild annoyance with this arc in the previous week and hoped it would reach its conclusion this week but alas we’re once again afforded an awkward cliff-hanger to the proceedings. Thankfully this episode is at least more visually interesting (in every sense of the phrase) than the previous as well as being inventive, entertaining and occasionally hilarious almost in-line with this show at its best. Almost.

Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san 2 – Episode 6

85/100 (DOWN 1 point from previous episode)

The first couple of segments were business as usual for this series it wasn’t until we got to the ‘Date’ segment did things feel like they were moving forward in a satisfying way–whether this is the start of real progress between the budding relationship between Nishkita and Takagi or just an incremental progression will remain to be seen but it was touching and adorable and funny in all the ways this show is already an expert at.

Re:Stage! Dream Days♪ – Episode 6

85/100 (DOWN 3 points from previous episode)

Aside from being utterly confused for longer than I care to admit about how a character can have an aunt who is younger than them (family trees can be confusing, you know) this episode undid a bit of the progress on the character of Minori–the headstrong and stubborn student council president who came off more annoying than entertaining. Nevertheless there was still a lot of great moments and necessary progress towards the ‘Prism Stage’.

Hensuki: Are you willing to fall in love with a pervert, as long as she’s a cutie? – Episode 6

86/100 (EVEN with from previous episode)

Don’t worry she’s not interested in what’s inside his boxer shorts, just the shorts themselves.

Unexpectedly we’re given another full episode introduction to a ‘pervert’ girl seeking to win our protagonist Keiki’s heart… or rather places perpendicular and south. While it was an easy guess as to her particular predilection–our new girl Ayano has a smell fetish–what wasn’t expected was just how endearing and cute she could be about the whole thing. But then again, I guess that is literally in the name of the show so maybe I shouldn’t be so surprised…

Cop Craft – Episode 6

86/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

Tilarnia’s high-stakes driving antics were a highlight.

This episode reminded me of one of my favourite 80’s US TV shows, ‘Miami Vice’–so much so that I wouldn’t be surprised if it were the inspiration for many facets of the show. That aside, what we got here was a fun, action-packed and entertaining episode and a fun little diversion from the usually more serious subject matter this show has dealt with previously.

Fruits Basket – Episode 20

87/100 (UP 2 points from previous episode)

Above all else, I admire this episode for introducing a character so positively irksome and irritating and then somehow by the conclusion of the episode not only make said character endearing and relatable but also willing to wring a few tears from me too! Such is the (apparent) power of ‘Fruits Basket’! I’m still wondering the point of fleshing out these minor characters so much, but the continued tease of a more sinister narrative beneath the Soma family is getting pretty irresistible.

Wasteful Days of High School Girl – Episode 7

88/100 (UP 4 points from previous episode)

I’d say their equally hopelessly stupid…

When I saw that this episode was going to focus on my least favourite of side-characters, Yamai, the semi-delusional otaku with her head in a fictional fantasy world I was worried this would devolve into a whole episode of her trademark awkwardness that had otherwise been confined to brief scenes. Thankfully this show knows how to ‘subvert expectations’ in all the best ways by grounding her antics in the reality of their situation and by putting her in situations outside her comfort zone to both comedic and character-building effect. The set-piece with her getting her head stuck in a child’s photo-op standee was a genuine comedic masterpiece!

YU-NO: A Girl Who Chants Love At The Bound Of This World – Episode 19

88/100 (UP 3 points from previous episode)

You named your child after the show you’re in?

The ‘isekai’ arc continues and kind of blew me away with how risky and complicated the narrative was progressing. Spoiler alert, but our protagonist Takuya has a kid with the pointy-eared best girl Sayless! And while it’s always been hinted at that Takuya had been sexually active in earlier episodes it’s always a surprise when a show takes the leap with such a narrative decision. That particular plot point aside this episode did a great job at remaining intriguing and unique and keeping the audience guessing right up to the end of episode cliffhanger.

The Demon Girl Next Door – Episode 6

89/100 (UP 2 points from previous episode)

Demon Girl and Magical Girl teaming up to fight crime! I like it!

Everything great about this series already is fully on display in this episode but in addition to that we’re also afforded a surprising and comically satisfying plot twist that seeks to shake up the formula this show has built up–seemingly not content with retreading the same tried and tested ground that has made the show a success in my eyes so far. I eagerly await what developments come from this narrative shift!

How Heavy Are The Dumbbells You Lift? – Episode 7

91/100 (DOWN 6 points from previous episode)

Now *these* kind of idols I could get into!

A six-point drop might seem severe but this episode still manages to surprise and enthrall along with hitting the familiar beats that have made it a joy to watch week-to-week. And it’s the final few minutes of the episode that elevate it to near legendary status as the girls (and their begrudging teacher) decide to become idols–yes that kind of idols–to hilariously ridiculous effect. This show is at its best when its subverting its own self designed expectations which if the last two episodes have shown it is more than capable of doing so and with absolute ease.

Fire Force – Episode 6

92/100 (EVEN with previous episode)

Another week, another gorgeous set-piece.

This episode is arguably better than the previous one by at least two points by not only having the focus to stay with just one fight for the vast majority of its run time (Shina vs Hibana) and intersperse it with plenty of plot and character development as well as some gorgeous visuals and fighting sequences. Where it loses points (and therefore ends up on equal score to last week’s) is regrettably in the ‘censorship’ of the flashback scenes. It sucks that I have to even mark something down for what is ostensibly just a compassionate move on a studio’s part to lessen the visual impact of scenes of children burning to death in the wake of the real life Kyoto Animation tragedy but the editing of these scenes does have a detrimental effect to the narrative. These scenes, meant to evoke the horror of Iris’ and Hibana’s past are neutered by the studio’s decision to dull the colours and in some scene outright black-out images entirely. From an empathetic position I completely understand their want for cautiousness around such triggering imagery but from a critical standpoint it weakens the effectiveness of these otherwise impactful and important character moments.

Is It Wrong To Try And Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? II – Episode 6

93/100 (UP 9 points from previous episode)

Call me predictable but having an episode called ‘The City of Lust’ piqued my interest but having it be an arc set in Orario’s version of a red light district and have a multitude of scantily clad prostitutes as its characters definitely has my attention! Beyond the superficial though the opening act was masterfully comedic as Bell and Co. navigate the streets and the various women of the night interested in the ‘Little Rookie’ (no pun intended) meanwhile the final act affords us a wonderfully introspective interaction with a Kitsune by the name of Haruhime whose softly tragic self-loathing for her profession and allotment in life is as heart-breaking as it is well-written. New best girl? Maybe…

O Maidens In Your Savage Season – Episode 7

95/100 (UP 1 point from previous episode)

A small part of me was at least passingly miffed that we weren’t afforded any major advancement in any characters ark like I might have expected/wanted. What we did get however was a lot of small but nevertheless significant movements in unexpected directions, especially as far as Niina’s narrative is concerned. Meanwhile Kazusa and Izumi’s journey takes a much needed step in a positive direction for the first time in what seems like the whole season–though I get the feeling that’ll be short-lived.

***

And with the exception of ‘Arifureta’ which had a recap episode this week that’s all of week 7 done and dusted! Let me know what your best and worst of the week were and thanks for reading!

Previous Summer 2019 Weekly Anime Review Posts:

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6

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