Jeoffrey

Artificial intelligence is currently a hot topic, permeating discussions across various fields. Its integration into our daily lives instills fear in many, from screenwriters to translators, artists, and musicians. It was only a matter of time before an anime series delved into the complexities of AI's role in society. Enter a world filled with smart computers, robots, and even humanoids — literally, artificial humans. Amidst this backdrop stands our gray-haired doctor (the hair color has been trending since Mushi-Shi), stumbling upon intriguing cases that serve as cautionary tales about the perils of progress. However, the series grapples with a significant challenge — its episodes seem very unbalanced. While some boast compelling plots and resolutions, others fall prey to monotony, recycling ideas, and failing to delve deeply into subjects or build suspense. The viewing experience fluctuates unpredictably, with moments of enjoyment followed by episodes that feel like a slog. Even the overarching plot surrounding the doctor and his mother, intended to anchor the series, fails to resonate with me. What I found more intriguing was the dynamic between the doctor and his sister. Coupled with animation and music that can be described as passable at best, my sentiments toward the series are decidedly mixed, hovering around the midpoint. 5.2/10

The second "art experiment" from GoHands studio this season seems to carry over all the criticisms and shortcomings from the anime about the girl who forgets her glasses. If anything bothered you there, you'll likely find it here too. Especially jarring is the combination of hyperrealistic vehicles like trains and cars with drawn characters inside them, giving the impression of paper models. However, one recurring shot that doesn't bother me is when the main heroine discovers the black cat on a winter evening. It's artistically well executed, including the "fish eye" shooting style, making it a prime candidate for your PC wallpaper. What truly elevates the series for me, and why I ultimately value it more than the aforementioned GoHands romantic experiment with the glasses girl, is the character Yukichi. Perfect men may not exist, but what a perfect cat! Forget the fox comforter Senko, I'd gladly have Yukichi in my household any day. He's the ideal combination of cleaner, cook, and servant, fulfilling any role you can think of. Yukichi is truly admirable with his magically melancholic nature, occasional sarcastic remarks, and golden heart. Without that heart, he would have long abandoned his owner, who would otherwise be lost in her apartment among boxes and garbage. The series also works as a comedy, offering a few genuinely funny moments. The emotions hit home as well, particularly when it sells me on the gratitude and loyalty of the cat to its owner ("oh, what I wouldn't do for a can of cat food"). If another studio had taken the reins and delivered the artistic and animation prowess seen in, say, the first episode of Pokémon: Paldean Winds (just look at what the camera and animation studio WiT does there), MasterCat could have easily earned a solid 4 stars from me. As it stands, it's a strong 3 stars = 6.3/10.

The second season struck me as a step up from the first. Perhaps it's because the more time I spend with this crew, the more attached I become to them, the series finally carving out its own identity. It could also be because both local missions felt well-executed, injecting a spy vibe with moments of tension, drama, and even emotion — like Annett's backstory, shedding light on her eye patch. Even the filler episodes (files) didn't detract from my enjoyment as much as in the first season. While still comedic or slice-of-life in nature, they felt better integrated with the individual missions and overarching story and offered space for character development. The second season pleasantly surprised me, piquing my interest in the series and dispelling any lingering doubts about its originality. With each episode, the feeling of wasting time on a lesser imitation gradually fades away, leaving me eager to see what future episodes hold. This season earns a solid 6/10 from me.

Maybe I let my nostalgia and excitement over the return of the demon lord from McDonald's cloud my judgment of the previous season, but for this season, I have to give a lower rating. The whole storyline revolving around Ente Isla, the transfer to this world, and everything that unfolded just didn't grab me. I understood what was happening and what each character was aiming for, but I couldn't bring myself to care. The series' conclusion left me completely underwhelmed. Even the final battles, which should have been epic, felt lackluster and dull. But I could have overlooked all of that if it weren't for the vomit jokes in two consecutive episodes. I can tolerate it once, especially if it's part of the episode's theme, but having a similar cringe moment in the next episode was just too much. What am I even watching? I guess I prefer it when the main character from another world deals with the everyday problems of a McDonald's employee in Japan, like in the first few episodes here. Returning to a world I know almost nothing about, which I logically don't care about, felt empty and uninteresting. In the end, I'm disappointed that my impression of the third season dropped to 5.5/10 (and maybe this rating is still partly influenced by nostalgia and the fact that I still like most of the characters here). I'm not sure if I want to see how it continues. On the one hand, I think, "enough already," but on the other hand, the heroes' return to Japan could bring back the witty take on everyday problems, which is what made the first season so great.

The Fire Hunter is a very distinctive and remarkable series. I was immediately intrigued by the world and its rules and mysteries which kept me interested in its history and future. It is interspersed with mysticism and the writers manage to sell it really well. I also liked how the story was presented. The cuts between the main characters were always introduced by the characters’ names, which helped the overall clarity and the subsequent intersection of all the storylines. The series also has some unique visuals, reminding me of a series from the 90s. The animation does get a little sloppy when the characters are moving fast, fighting, or jumping, but at other times it can surprise you with the amount of detail. There is great work with atmosphere. I liked how additional close-ups were inserted into the shot, such as the face of a character during an important moment to make things more dramatic. I was especially charmed by the use of hand-drawn art images. They surprised me at first, and I was even slightly apprehensive about them, but I quickly got used to them and ended up enjoying those shots. The score was also excellent, be it the very nice atmospheric opening and ending, or the well-chosen background music during important moments. What I found to be the biggest problem and what the writers failed to sell me at all were the individual characters. After ten episodes, I can't say that there's anyone even remotely relatable. My favorite character at this point is probably Kanata the dog, which is saying a lot. I keep watching the show because I want to know what happens next and how everything will be explained, but I don't really care what happens to whom. Maybe it's because this is just the beginning, the episodes were too few and there weren’t enough strong or dramatic personal moments for me to grow fond of the characters. On the other hand, there are hints about secrets that are yet to be revealed, so there’s a chance I might get to know the characters (and get to like them). So far, my complete disinterest in the characters is affecting my overall impression. Although I see a lot of potential, I’m giving the series "only" three stars. 6.4/10

Studio Doga Kobo has a knack for crafting these cute, delightful, and playful anime series, and Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence is no exception. Their beautiful animation, with its pleasant pastel tones, is visually appealing, creating a charming atmosphere. The music is perfectly matched to each scene, enhancing the overall experience. The characters are nice and mostly likable, making it easy to become invested in their stories. Watching this series feels like indulging in a bedtime story – it's soothing and comforting, perfect for unwinding before sleep. It took me a little time to grow fond of the main duo and the other characters, most of whom I found irrelevant for an exceeding amount of time. While I may have had a few initial reservations, the pleasant atmosphere and enjoyable entertainment won me over. With each new episode, I found myself more interested and entertained by the romantic storyline and the development of the main characters. The final episode was particularly enjoyable, wrapping things up nicely. While the show may not be the pinnacle of Doga Kobo's work, or even in this genre, it still offers an above-average experience. It's a delightful spectacle that I'm happy to give 4 stars, or 6.9/10.

A slightly above-average fairytale about how a human sacrifice became the queen of beasts. Along her journey, she faced numerous hardships, passed three difficult tests, and had to prove to everyone that she was worthy of her king. The main adversaries in this story are not humans or beasts, but rather prejudice and racism in various forms. Humans disdain beasts, beasts harbor animosity towards humans, and some beasts, seemingly inspired by Orwell's Animal Farm and its "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others" philosophy, vie for supremacy in the social hierarchy. In essence, this series serves as a departure from the traditional Beauty and the Beast narrative, exploring how far one can deviate from the norm. The main heroine won me over because of her active pursuit of growth throughout the story. Despite thinking to myself "Someone please get her some shoes!" I eventually accepted her barefoot plight as another trial she had to endure. The beast king, our main hero, is also quite likable. While he may be prone to occasional outbursts and brawls, he fiercely protects his queen and demonstrates unwavering faith in her abilities when needed. The romance between them works, though I must admit, watching a small girl cuddle with a towering lion does feel somewhat peculiar at times. Even the subplot about the reptile courtship was quite entertaining and much better than what the second season of Overlord had to offer. While certain parts were weaker than others, and the constant theme of advocating for love and equality felt somewhat repetitive, there were moments of genuine charm. Considering the animation and music, which I found to be average at best, The Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts warrants a rating of 6/10 at most.

What a unique and entertaining show! I must admit, I was initially apprehensive about a series that blends together so many iconic literary characters like Sherlock Holmes, Arsene Lupin, and even Frankenstein's monster, along with well-known occult figures such as Aleister Crowley. However, my fears were quickly dispelled as everything seamlessly came together in a masterful display. It's evident that Shinichi Omata has a firm grip on the narrative, much like in his previous works such as Kaguya-sama: Love Is War and Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju. This reassures me to keep an eye on his future projects (and to forget about the misstep of Record of Grancrest War). The animation, courtesy of the relatively unknown studio Lapin Track, also pleasantly surprised me. The fight sequences are a joy to behold. Each character is incredibly memorable, thanks in part to their familiarity. Many of them will immediately pique your interest, leaving you eager to delve deeper into their stories. While the series can be quite dialogue-heavy at times, it's to be expected given its nature as a detective story. But fear not, it's all delivered with a light touch; the series doesn't take itself too seriously and instead aims to entertain, presenting itself as a delightful farce. And let's not forget the soundtrack, including the fantastic opening theme, which only adds to the overall enjoyment. With all these factors considered, the series certainly deserves nothing less than an 8/10. Here's hoping for a second season!

When your impression of a show keeps oscillating between zero and five stars, you end up with a neat average of 5/10. The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses could be a pleasant romantic comedy, assuming that: 1) You find the main heroine's behavior endearing rather than resembling a medical diagnosis (like dementia or autism) 2) You enjoy the hero's inner monologues, even if they come off as awkward or painful, because you share his fetishes and insecurities. 3) You don't see a discrepancy between what the hero thinks and what he actually says. 4) You managed to sit through the first episode without feeling dizzy or needing motion sickness medication. 5) You don't know anything about animation techniques and directing. 6) You embrace the unconventional camera angles and see them as highly original, not just random shots from odd places. 7) You tend to overlook any perspective problems, especially when characters get a bit deformed in those crazy camera shots. 8) You're a fan of hyperrealistic backgrounds and interiors, where every frame could double as wallpaper, while ignoring how strange it looks when characters pop up in front of them. 9) You don't notice the robotic or unnatural movements of some characters, particularly when they're walking. 10) Repetition within the plot or in certain shots (hello hyperrealistic backgrounds) doesn't bother you. 11) The fact that the entire plot could possibly be resolved with a simple eyeglass strap? Well, that's just part of the charm. If you manage to tick off all these boxes, then perhaps the show will be an enjoyable watch for you. On a positive note, the music gets a pass from me.

The second season fell a tad short for me compared to the first, mainly because I'm not particularly fond of circuses, and the magic school didn't leave a strong impression on me either. However, the storyline unfolds nicely, with one couple finally getting together and another pair, whom I find charmingly goofy, forming a bond. Romance-wise, I'm definitely satisfied. I'm also intrigued by the gradual unraveling of the mysteries surrounding the curse on the main character, Alice's mother, and especially Sade. Most of the characters resonate with me, although I'm still warming up to the newer ones introduced at the magic school. The musical aspect adds an extra layer of enjoyment for me; it's become almost customary for the voice actors of the main characters to showcase their singing talents, resulting in several musical interludes (not to mention another catchy opening theme). Additionally, I've gotten used to the 3D animation of the characters, which seems to have improved slightly. The training and fighting sequence in the last episode of the second season, particularly Cuff's performance, didn't disappoint. Overall, I still find the series enjoyable and eagerly anticipate the announced third season. While the second season didn't fully live up to my expectations, it still delivered plenty of cheerful and playful romance, along with intriguing mysteries. 7.7/10.