SEASONAL PRATTLE
Well here we are, running down some highlights and lowlights of the most immediate anime in this fresh, lovely Spring season! It’s a practice some of you have grown accustomed to but for those of you who are new, the flow of it isn’t hard to grasp.
The first show covered (which directly follows the intro) is what we deem here as our “lead” – essentially a featured episode review for reasons that could be good or bad but deserve higher recognition either way. From there, the coverage tends to flow without any specific implications through an array of airing anime, each headlined by a standout quote for those who just want to get a quick takeaway to move on with their day. For those who don’t, the actual coverage is still intentionally brief so it’s not too much of a time commitment.
We do this because we understand you’re busy, and there’s a ton of media choices in life both in and outside of this anime hobby yanking for your attention. So while these reviews lack “depth” hopefully their speedy format is a benefit to you and still offers you enough to easily understand what’s worth pursuing. So without further ado, let’s get into our first lead of Spring:
This one shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to be here given the strength of the anime released thus far. Yesterday wo Utatte had a pretty competent debut, not particularly concerned with building up substantive set pieces, but more methodically churning out its narrative in an effective manner. Positive flags are buried all around episode one’s hunk of material: The leads, distinctly Morinome, is consistently put in positions to make this premiere succeed with desirable exchanges, the atmosphere is palpable through smart sequencing and color scheme, and its care for the space between its bigger plot beats is graceful enough to avoid fumbling. The only potential issue comes from Haru, a solid personality for this type of work but one who can be a bit tropey at times in addition to somewhat being a magnet for spurtz of writing that tiptoes the thin line of “cliche”. How this show handles her from here on out will be vital and very worthy of paying close attention to. Good performance all in all.
Kakushigoto (1)
“Cheery background work mixes and resonates well with Kakushigoto’s flexible character acting early and often”
Kakushigoto commences, pushing out a healthy display of strengths both visually and textually to smoothly land itself as a satisfying premiere. It doesn’t take long to see that episode one is prominently cared for, washed in a vivid OP that’s touch would extend to the remaining content yet to be consumed. Cheery background work mixes and resonates well with Kakushigoto’s flexible character acting early and often – ultimately making for a nice tonal platform to fire its light-hearted gags from and be effective in their close with little friction. However, there are parts where our narrative drags and some of the longer developing gags can be hit or miss here, but at the end of the day, Goto and Hime do enough to keep this overall showing embraceable. Optimistic start.
Listeners (1)
“The vast majority of components that prop up episode one feel like inferior sci-fi retreads from elsewhere”
Underwhelming and overused, Listeners begins in disappointing fashion – equipped with a premise and opening avenue of writing that could have been so much more with higher effort. The vast majority of components that prop up episode one feel like inferior sci-fi retreads from elsewhere, and fuel is thrown on this fire as they’re played out with little imagination. Myuu and Echo’s shallow, very beaten characterization and dynamics only serve to further compress this issue, in addition to the predictable path Listeners takes over the course of the last ten minutes which just about sinks any hope of this episode being “good”. An easy swing and a miss.
Hamefura (1)
“A good amount of snap to key beats that are all solely, if not largely, a byproduct of Katarina’s versatility and aptitude as a lead”
Getting going with little issue, Hamefura’s initial episode finds more success directly through Katarina than a cursory run through its content would suggest. There are sound physical gags, a few appropriately placed background jokes, and a good amount of snap to key beats that are all solely, if not largely, a byproduct of Katarina’s versatility and aptitude as a lead. Even when others, like Keith in the latter half, get involved – rather than leaning on the shoulders of an ensemble approach, this showing virtually remains an exhibition of Katarina’s gimmick and charm, carrying a fairly straightforward narrative into an enjoyable watch. If she can remain fun and adaptive it’s not hard to believe this show on a whole wouldn’t follow suit.
Kami no Tou (1)
“Feeling simultaneously rushed and loosely thought out”
If the first episode is a warning of things to come, then without a doubt, Kami no Tou has a lot of work to do if it wants to be anything other than a bumbling experience. Immediately notable is this series’ aesthetic, which stood out in its trailer, but now seeing it at length in motion, is a clear weakness with more than its fair share of inconsistencies and malformations essentially around every corner that’s character-heavy. And even when it’s not, the backgrounds come across as cheap and unremarkable for a fantasy – struggling to be immersive. When attention turns to the actual script, it’s a special kind of inept, feeling simultaneously rushed and loosely thought out as Bam and Rachel’s collective characterization can fit on the back of a dime along with the times Kami no Tou actually implements good exposition. By credit roll, the only real consistent positive that can be claimed is Keven Penkin’s music – a small ray of light in what’s otherwise a pretty cloudy sky. Hopefully next week shapes up better, but for now, this was fairly rough.
Gleipnir (1)
“Good attention to the progression of scenes and variety of sightlines”
Gleipnir’s ability to consistently frame its vivid Summer days is only outweighed by its causal portrayal of Shuuichi’s vulnerable headspace. Episode one is better constructed than much of its pre-airing discourse alluded to: Yoneda does an admirable job in guiding us, paying good attention to the progression of scenes and variety of sightlines – all supplementing screen composition that holds body language well and that has sharp awareness for the tones it’s pursuing. Writing-wise, it’s by no means bad. Not particularly wowing anyone behind the pen but doing enough to relatively establish Claire and Shuuichi while still remaining elusive by design to provoke natural curiosity. Positive opening, let’s see if it can keep it up.
Bungou to Alchemist: Shinpan no Haguruma (1)
“Its very niche appeal of Japanese literature and history doesn’t really lend itself as accessible”
In hindsight, a firmer base for Bungou to Alchemist: Shinpan no Haguruma to start from would have done it a lot of good. Despite possessing nice character designs and smoother than expected production, as it stands, its very niche appeal of Japanese literature and history doesn’t really lend itself as accessible especially with the loose storytelling that we face in episode one. Piling on that, the direction the narrative is forecasting isn’t exactly the most attractive. “Purifying tainted books” has flexibility on paper, but how that actually plays out over the course of a season is a different story. Okay first entry.
Nami yo Kiitekure (1)
“Seemingly does what it can to not make radio work engaging to the average viewer”
It’s hard to tell if Nami yo Kiitekure’s overly drawn out, tedious loads of trivial dialogue is this premiere’s biggest issue and cause for its demise, or if it’s the absolutely skimpy framework our narrative lays out to get an audience “invested”. This dull, and even at times irritating opening run, seemingly does what it can to not make radio work engaging to the average viewer – all while trying to be “comedic” in the process with results that are mixed at best. It’s almost masterful in how little reasoning is given to care about any of the show’s elements, with even the radio station Minare finds herself working in feeling disposable – it can completely shut down next episode and it wouldn’t be a loss. I’m not sure who thought a start like this would be captivating, but they were sorely mistaken.
Tamayomi (1)
“Nothing about Yomi or Tamaki’s portrayal brings anything new to the table”
It was harmless enough, but Tamayomi’s start does little in its construction or telling to avoid feeling like an entirely forgettable affair. In its current condition, the plot is extremely safe and narrow, with basically no immediate hooks to warrant investing deeper in as it unfolds like a variety of generic sports shows that have come before it. The characters thus far follow a similar path: Nothing about Yomi or Tamaki’s portrayal brings anything new to the table or foreshadows even a shred of novelty down the road. Compounding on that, A-CAT is very middling in this premiere’s production, delivering even the biggest strokes here with little flair or creativity. If you happen to be thirsty for mediocrity, then come give this drink a sip.
Hachi-nan tte, Sore wa Nai deshou! (1)
“Stock effort worldbuilding and completely dehydrated character personas”
With each passing minute, Hachi-nan tte, Sore wa Nai deshou! seems increasingly determined to waste viewers’ time – offering a crusty brand of iseaki storytelling that we’ve all seen before throughout its entire debut. Between the stock effort worldbuilding and completely dehydrated character personas, it’s a feat at all to even remotely care about any of episode one’s ongoings, which in totality, boil down to an even cheaper version of Kenja no Mago’s start and setup. When the dust settles, it’s thoroughly apparent this series is satisfied reaching for the bottom of the barrel and giving nothing more.
Shachou, Battle no Jikan Desu! (1)
“Easily a premiere with so little outwards value that many are likely to pass on it this Spring”
Lastly, down to the twin-tailed lead, this was an excruciatingly mediocre experience as Shachou, Battle no Jikan Desu! kicks off what appears to be a middling effort fantasy work. The overall level of quality is so flat here that there’s hardly anything worth actually noting, with even this series’ business gimmick failing to be utilized in any truly interesting way that merits throwing discussion towards. Easily a premiere with so little outwards value that many are likely to pass on it this Spring.
