SEASONAL PRATTLE
Finally, this Winter anime season has come to an end. In hindsight, I’m still pretty surprised that this season didn’t generate much discussion from the community’s larger content creators. Its airing catalog may not have had a bunch of household names or high profile studios behind prominent shows like past seasons, but it had a good amount of quality nonetheless, and it’s a shame that sort of went slept on (especially with certain titles if you really look into it). However, as much of a shame as that is, thankfully it’s all going to be in the past. Spring season’s actual start is just a few days away and soon Seasonal Prattle will be washed in a wave of new shows – frantically running around to discuss what we can. Until then though, let’s go on one last Winter ride. I would like to thank you all for reading these Weekly Check-Ins throughout this anime season as we hop right into it.
I’ve mentioned not that long ago how fans are far more enamored with the most immediately accessible cogs of a narrative – a prevailing notion that continues to arise particularly with Magia Record even as it wrapped up. Not much is “spoon-fed” in this series and coupled with misplaced expectations for it to navigate like Madoka Magica, landed it in poor favor with certain crowds from the start. Be that as it may, don’t let that discourage you from watching this one if you haven’t – which along with its overall quality, is why it’s placed up here as our lead entry today.
Episode thirteen cooked up another performance that reinforced a lot of the abilities that have been on display throughout Magia Record’s shelf life, leveraging a beautiful line of vision that elevates its more propulsive moments, airy set pieces, understated execution and plenty of great individual shots to complement a pool of timely, tension facilitating frames. Narratively, our content shaped up like most Magia offerings: Layered through its distinct aesthetic and assortment of craft choices that both simultaneously operate as character texture in addition to springboards that push the story forward – like early on when the spotlight falls on Yachiyo. This foundation and toolset would conclusively motor towards a good, cliffhanger finish to cap off what’s been a very good show. Looking forward to the second season!
Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun (12)
“Fluent and endearing, loaded with nice character exchanges that have faithfully landed well in the past”
Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun finds an adorable end as Lerche closes out what has been a pleasant ride with their usual knack for this work’s softer hallmarks. Although it wasn’t outwardly propulsive, this final episode was fluent and endearing, loaded with nice character exchanges that have faithfully landed well in the past and paved the foundation for this series to inevitably hit its tonal goals. Building off of that, its specific palette once again shines here – having one last hurrah to elevate our finishing minutes into a vivid portrayal that only this show can offer. From start to finish, this was a cute, efficient show that found good payoffs through its leads and overarching style. It was nice having an anime like this to rely on each week this Winter.
Somali to Mori no Kamisama (12)
“Very good at making key sequences enchanting and proceeding with the proper level of patience and restraint to nail its bigger beats”
Also sticking its landing, Somali to Mori no Kamisama offers one last emotional stab – sending off Golem and Somali’s relationship with enough poise and gravity to cement this series as one of Winter’s brightest spots. Structurally, this finale upholds the trend of lavish set-pieces and harmonizing temperaments – shuffling well through a variety of emotions that flow neatly into the looming tension concerning Golem’s decision and greater future. For much of its run, Somali to Mori no Kamisama has been very good at making key sequences enchanting and proceeding with the proper level of patience and restraint to nail its bigger beats – and those components don’t fail it here. It’s only a few lines between the two, but the level of build and delivery to Golem and Somali’s last conversation not only makes for a rewarding send-off, but a reflective indicator on this show’s quality on a whole. Good work.
Runway de Waratte (12)
“Key moments of responsive character work do an honest effort in selling the anxiety that swelled through the venue”
Runway de Waratte fade-outs with enthusiasm, wrapping up its TV run with little hassle as the performance pressure surrounding Chiyuki, Ikuto and Kokoro smoothly dissolve into tangible results. From a birds-eye view, this episode is stitched together fairly well: There’s nothing too flashy in hard composition but the sequencing, appropriate breaks in sound design, and a few key moments of responsive character work do an honest effort in selling the anxiety that swelled through the venue. Post-show results and taking a more granular look, it’s nice to Ezola pull off a healthy juggling act to split-screen time up to keep the greater cast involved to the very end. When the dust settles, it’s easy to say Runway de Waratte was an enjoyable work, boasting a clear passion and hold of its fashion niche to stay engaging from down to the finale. Would be nice to see this one get a second season.
Bofuri (12)
“Graceful enough in delivery where Maple’s schtick never wears too thin”
Lastly, Bofuri arrived at a perfectly reasonable conclusion this week, finally giving Maple the challenge she needed all while finding space to stay true to its easily digestible, lighthearted charm. This series’ highest accomplishments have always stemmed from an undersold grasp of storytelling fundamentals – sneakily being more dynamic in construction when piecing together its action-oriented sequences and coming across as graceful enough in delivery where Maple’s schtick never wears too thin. Decent cast dynamics and a strong awareness of the genres it wants to occupy round out the top contributors that end up making this a satisfying watch. Better than expected.
