SEASONAL PRATTLE
A smaller selection this week and we’re hopping right into it:
Kanojo Okarishimasu’s latest offering is executed deep in its genre’s wheelhouse, but inevitably made surprisingly entertaining with the direction that it took. “Double date” scenarios are a dime a dozen in this medium, usually requiring a steady volume of tension and lighthearted fun to land correctly. A scene too self-conscious in what it wants to achieve is typically enough to sink it, but here, that’s no issue at all. Six’s writing plays out smoothly, pulling off some amusing chibi portrayals in the process on its way to Ruka’s involvement, which makes for an interesting source of tension in itself given her suspicions. Couple that with Kazuya and Chizuru’s progression at the inn early on, resulting in yet another satisfying show of growth for our lead, and some comedic beats that hit well here and there – and you have a pretty enjoyable turnout.
Oregairu 3 (6)
“Yui’s dramatic core continues to pay dividends with Hachiman in intimate spaces”
Next, this was yet another healthy indicator of how Oregairu leverages its main strengths to good effect, moving forward in it’s usually sympathetic and well-nourished character-driven ways. Yui and Hachiman aren’t just sturdy together passively in six, sharing some nice light-hearted moments and bouncing off each other well in the restaurant, but Yui’s dramatic core continues to pay dividends with Hachiman in intimate spaces. Her closing monologue is easily the highlight this week, providing a needed heartfelt injection in an episode that was relatively weak until that point with its emotional levers. Introspective sequences like this are always a treat.
Deca-Dence (6)
“Shaping as one of Summer’s brighter spots”
Moving on, six weeks in and there’s still plenty going in favor of Deca-Dence, be it textually or visually, and all of which contribute to its shaping as one of Summer’s brighter spots. This latest showing, in particular, plays out as another microcosm of arguably what this series does best – systematically story tell. Much of what we see from the bug correctional facility just straight-up leans on the back of its script – finding some designed payoffs through certain expressional fits here and there – but mainly being rewarding in how it further illuminates the cyborg world and pushes our narrative forward with ease. Here’s to hoping that this show can keep up this kind of effort and stick the landing!
The Misfit of Demon King Academy (7)
“Feeling too on the nose and foreseen”
Lastly, after a week that flashed some proficiency beyond this show’s typical turnouts, The Misfit of Demon King Academy slowly comes back to Earth – toiling out a pristine reminder that it’s still a middling Isekai work in the bigger picture. Nothing narratively in episode seven comes as a surprise, often even feeling too on the nose and foreseen when dealing with Lay and his mom’s share of the story along with the obvious interference and handling of Emilia. It’s a bit of shame given that a lot of those particular parts are aesthetically accomplished enough to make them engaging in the moment, however, when the smoke clears and you take a step back and digest it all it’s just fairly standard fare writing. The Misfit of Demon King Academy would really benefit from even just a little bit more novelty moving forward in its second half, or at the very least, not being so upfront with where it wants to go.
