SEASONAL PRATTLE
Wow, we’re basically through a quarter of the anime season already – the time sure is flying by and so are we as we’re getting right down to business today. So let’s hop into it:
Second time around and Kanojo Okarishimasu is still pretty entertaining, further building upon its own relationship dynamics with the inclusion of Mami and continuing to be more successful than not comedically. A large part of what makes this show work so far is that it operates with enough self-awareness and consideration to not trip on its own silliness and narrow storytelling devices.
So while a good chunk of Kanoakri’s plot beats are influenced by convenience and thus comes off as manufactured – they are quietly built well enough to efficiently achieve their emotional goals and not falter. In smaller strokes of scripting early on, whenever Kazuya is being cringey it’s extremely easy for the viewers to feel that right on the spot. And the same applies to larger strokes, like our second half scenario writing when the cast goes out drinking and the awkwardness is very palpable as planned.
Everything from Chizuru’s growing frustration as she gets further sucked into Kazuya’s life to Mami’s piquing curiosity in the final minutes, are all smoothly portrayed and well designed in relation to their intentions. Episode two won’t get any real praise for that from the community but it should as it did a good job here.
Oregairu 3 (2)
“Still wealthy with its constant angles of emotional distance, small subtleties of conversation, and tiny yet reflective moments”
After a satisfying introduction, Oregairu’s second episode keeps the momentum going as it pushes our narrative straight ahead with little wasted time or effort. The most tangible takeaways and what conclusively acts as this week’s biggest highlights come form bookend sequences featuring Haruno’s smooth performance in casually diagnosing Hachiman, and of course, Yui’s crushing last-minute realization that closes us out. As much attention as those two will rightfully receive, the rest of our content isn’t shabby either. Episode two is still wealthy with its constant angles of emotional distance, small subtleties of conversation, and tiny yet reflective moments that this series has become adept at. Good showing all in all.
Deca-Dence (2)
“A higher concentration of character reading, narrative substance, and an overall course of direction that greatly raises this show’s ceiling”
Deca-Dence didn’t exactly need to get more interesting in its script, but here we are nonetheless with a pivotal second episode that greatly changes its outlook. Episode two doesn’t boast the craft prowess of episode one, featuring far fewer glamorous shots and sequencing, but in turn, it carries a higher concentration of character reading, narrative substance, and an overall course of direction that greatly raises this show’s ceiling. Following Kaburagi here, to be blunt is fascinating as we passively get an entirely different plane of worldbuilding and dive into his character. This overall “reveal” two provides is likely to be jarring to some, and should be consumed with a second watch, but the storytelling here is rewarding once understood and the implications it creates for later weeks has real potential to pay off as nice dividends. Solid imaginative performance with more ambition than a lot of anime that has aired this summer so far.
The God of High School (2)
“Well built, lively fights are great and all but so is good characterization and storytelling”
Take two and The God of High School is arguably even more visually impressive than its debut – allowing Keiichiro Watanabe to demonstrate excellent craft efficiency during Kang’s fight to the extent that it’s easily the series’ top highlight so far. The way Watanabe uses space and portrays velocity in his action choreography makes each blow feel visceral, and as a viewer, it’s simple to get a sense of how fast and brutal Kang’s style really is – resulting in a very commendable production effort.
Be that as it may, the rest of this show’s structural tools might as well be collecting dust. The character backstories we do get in episode two come off as distinctly glossed over and lots of chunks of the overarching narrative are still on the back of a milk carton. Well built, lively fights are great and all but so is good characterization and storytelling. Hopefully, this series can show more balance between that moving forward
Koi to Producer: EVOL×LOVE (1)
“This start may not be the most enthralling, but it easily works for what it wants to be.”
Finally launching, Koi to Producer: EVOL×LOVE arrives, seeming fine for the most part all things considered. Much of the formalities and border window dressing here is pretty much what you would expect from its genre, as the show manages to run through its grouping of boys and generally establishes our MC without any disastrous hang-ups or spills. EVOL×LOVE’s inherent supernatural tints in its plotting grant it moderate interest and its craft isn’t close to an eyesore. This start may not be the most enthralling, but it easily works for what it wants to be.
The Misfit of Demon King Academy (3)
“Anos’ seemingly endless ability to no-sell everything that resembles a threat in the slightest completely crushes any tension it could have had”
The drought of competence continues as The Misfit of Demon King Academy rolls on with its third spectacle. Given that episode three’s storytelling fundamentally revolves around building to and pulling of Sasha’s “twist”, it was really shortsighted to name this episode “Sasha’s true intentions” and prominently show that from the start, thus weakening the twist as viewers are immediately put on alert for it.
Making matters worse, even when the twist eventually does come, Anos’ seemingly endless ability to no-sell everything that resembles a threat in the slightest completely crushes any tension it could have had. Simply put, nothing ever rattles Anos and as he’s always in control by design – which of course is a very dangerous game to play because it makes him entirely counterproductive to any sense of drama this show wants to create. There’s never any real stakes when Anos is involved and the emotional drive of episode three along with it’s overall quality pays heavily for that.
On the bright side though, at least there weren’t any janky CG castles being thrown around and we didn’t spend twenty minutes recruiting another stereotypical character into the harem this time. So while this episode was still pretty underpowered, let’s at least count our blessings.
Dokyuu Hentai HxEros (3)
“Like b-plots that would be in an average Studio Arms show”
It’s only the third episode and we’re apparently already out of ideas. Structurally, Dokyuu Hentai HxEros certainly keeps true to its resume thus far – just this time prominently utilizing every ecchi trope that can reasonably fit in this week’s flimsy story. For that, Three’s main concerns – attempts at further characterization for Momoka and Kirara – end up predictable and tired, coming off like b-plots that would be in an average Studio Arms show. Throwing more fuel on the fire, Retto as a lead continues to be flavorless and the premise hasn’t even remotely come close to working itself into a position where it’s not distinctly laughable. Just another step backwards by credit roll.
Uzaki-chan wa Asobitai! (2)
“Nothing of actual value beyond acting as a bright red flag that you could be utilizing your time better”
Uzaki-chan returns, similar to the premiere in its talent to offer. After a few mild sketches and a dose of fanservice, Uzaki makes the bold move to ask Senpai if she could stay at his house to play video games all night. Senpai freaks out at the thought and that’s literally it. That’s your narrative high. Bravo.
Gibiate (1)
“A very large chunk of what Gibiate attempts to do in its start is laughable”
I want to tell you Gibiate had a beautiful premiere, full of pleasing artwork and layouts that complemented its ability to leverage its sharp character designs to good effect from start to finish. Unfortunately though, I can’t, because the monstrosity passed off as a consumable episode of anime that we ultimately got is the reality. A very large chunk of what Gibiate attempts to do in its start is laughable, regardless if it’s visually with sluggish animation and highly abrasive CG creatures, or textually with everything from weirdly scripted pauses to an overall level of writing that’s a doppelganger for early 2000’s trash. Easily a highly poor performance that needs little elaboration as to why to anyone who viewed it
