Reminder: Any and all scores presented in this post are entirely representative of my current mindset. As I have more time to consider shows, my feelings and understanding of the final product will be more likely to change. A good way to consider it is that this is my raw personal opinion in regards to the show, more than a critical review, since my recommendations do, apparently, warrant attention every now and then. Not that I understand why.
Season Wrap-up: Completed Shows
Net-Juu no Susume: A fun little rom-com that speaks particularly well to people who play MMOs or, to a lesser degree, to anyone who has made friends and kept in contact with others over the internet. With a nerdy and adorable cast of characters, there's nothing to hate about this show. 8/10. 5/5
Juuni Taisen: A failure of a battle royale is ruined once you understand the show's pattern. While the show's fight scenes and character designs are flashy enough to grab interest, that is pretty much all this title has to offer, unfortunately. Had it been more creative and less dependent on striving for some overall theme, I would have probably loved this show. 6/10. 2/5.
Shokugenki no Soma: Third Plate: While this season was initially a little slower and more predictable than I would have liked, it is still Shokugeki no Soma. It's stupid fun full of visual gags rife with ecchi that make this show a real crowd-pleaser. Though I am getting a little tired of this show's formula, it still holds enough tension to keep me engaged. 7/10. 4/5.
Osake wa Fuufu ni Natte Kara: A cute short form moe comedy about a husband and wife who get through the day thanks to each other's company and the husband's skill at making various cocktails. While simple, it is a pretty sweet show meant to share some recipes with the audience. 6/10. 5/5.
Mahoujin Guru Guru (2017): A cute, if irreverent, take on the classic Dragon Quest story. I'm forced to wonder who this is meant to appeal to though. Dragon Quest's time has long since passed, melding into other franachises just to stay alive at this point. While the cutesy nature of this show would appeal to kids, the adult humor spread throughout would just turn said kids away. So, why does this exist? 6/10. 3/5.
Konohana Kitan: A cute and Sapphic romp through Japanese folklore centered on an inn that serves the gods, spirits, and humans that have yet to ascend to heaven. While a little simplistic and predictable, I can't say this show didn't get a few laughs out of me. 7/10. 3/5.
URAHARA: A weird, Madoka-esque story centered on three girls who just opened a clothing/food/art store in the middle of Harakuku, a place known for possessing a unique, saccharine brand of fashion about it. Horribly animated, voiced, and paced (to say nothing of the awful story itself) this show really failed to hit any mark for me. Instead, it just gave off the feeling of being cheap and overly forced. To be fair, I was never its intended audience. 4/10. 1/5.
Inuyashiki: A strange story that begins when two people are turned into superhuman weapons. Tackling things like humanity, personal identity, and the subjective lines between right and wrong, this show has a lot to say and does it all while plucking the heartstrings like a pro. If not for the rushed plot, numerous plot holes, in inconsistencies, this would have easily taken the Best of Season title. 8/10. 5/5.
Kino no Tabi (2017): Built from the ground up from a fan poll of what people wanted to see in a new Kino's Journey anime, this show lacked any kind of consistent theme, through line, or reason to get invested in the show's main cast of characters. It's passable if you're familiar with the old Kino, but a right mess for anyone who is new to the franchise. 6/10. 2/5.
Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou: After a great war that wiped out most of humanity, two young girls are left to explore the remains of our world and ponder the meaning of things both great and small. While the show takes a rather nihilist approach to the world at large, the characters both find ways to bring light to a nearly dead world. From the art to the story and its characters, everything about this show speaks to an intention that is both happy and concerning. 8/10. 5/5.
Blend S: A fetishistic comedy that is built on a series of characters that possess two, distinct natures: their "normal" self and the persona they put on while at work at a cafe. While rather simple, there is a lot to like about the show. While obnoxious at times, the characters are generally likable people that offer a lot to laugh at. It's no Working!!! but I'm not entirely sure that's actually a bad thing. 8/10. 5/5.
Hozuki no Reitetsu Season 2: A comedic business-satire on the daily life of the demons who work in the Japanese equivalent of Hell. While not nearly as inspired this season, there was still enough folklore and criticism of modern-day working conditions present for me to still love this show. It's very clearly on its last legs though. 7/10. 4/5.
Houseki no Kuni: While I'm aware that I bashed this show at the bare end of one of my opinion pieces, I've actually come to like this show in that time. Centered on an island full of sentient mineral girls hunted by celestial beings, there are definitely some things to digest in this show's world, but that is not the intention of this show. Rather, it is a fascinating story of the growth of the selfish and vane Phosphophyllite. Too bad it takes so long to get to that point. 8/10. 2/5.
Kekkai Sensen & Beyond: After the first Kekkai Sensen I had lost all hope for this second season, but damn if it didn't impress me. Rather than focusing on the show's simpering protagonist, Leonardo Watch, the story takes more of a "Day in the life of" approach to the rest of the show's team of badasses. Then, against all odds, it turns Leo into a legitimately likable and sympathetic character that has rightfully earned his place beside these saviors of humanity. Man, if only the show had started out this way, I'd have called it a masterpiece. 9/10. 5/5.
Himouto! Umaru-chan R: Showing some solid signs of personal growth in this season, I can't say I hate this season's Umaru. She's still obnoxious and selfish, but that's slowly beginning to give way to some understanding that her actions do, in fact, affect other people. Even still, she still has a long way to go before I consider her a likable character. 7/10. 4/5.
Season Wrap-up: Ongoing Shows
Mahoutsukai no Yome: Called everything from "Celtic Ghibli" to "50 Shades of Mage" this show earned its place as Best of Season in my eyes. Visually stunning, musically captivating, and a story filled with characters that are as sympathetic as they are complex, this show is everything I wanted it to be and so much more. The only real complaint I can level against it is that sometimes the episodes are a bit overstuffed, but what do you expect from a show I've already written several hundred words about just to convey the ideas present in a scene that only lasts a minute. If you're not watching this show already, go do so now. Then go watch the OVAs and my review for them.
3-gatsu no Lion 2: Where the last season focused primarily on establishing characters and getting Rei to slowly develop as a character, this season is our emotional payoff for all the shit Rei went through to get here. Of course, that doesn't mean this season isn't rife with drama because, oh boy, this season has some REALLY hard moments to wrestle with. Yet, rather than being the victim, Rei is growing into the kind and dependable person I'd always hoped he'd be.
Season Wrap-up: Notable, Dropped Shows
Just Because: While I understand the appeal of telling a story centered on a very tense moment in every person's life--that last semester of senior year in high school--I can't say I really cared for this show. The characters were overly vague or just outright annoying and offered little reason to care about them. Had the show bothered to tell me who these characters are and what they stand for, outside of their stupid love triangle, I might have given this show the shot it deserved, but I just couldn't be bothered.
Animegataris: Something of a love song to anime fans like me, this show's cast featured every kind of character you might see in an anime fandom community. Unfortunately, the characters weren't all that interesting though. They were just walking cut-outs of each kind of anime fan. Even so, I enjoyed what little I liked to not wholly damn the product. Were there fewer great things to watch this season, I might have held on.