Jeoffrey

I still have fond memories of the first season, particularly enjoying the main couple, so naturally, I anticipated a similar experience with the second season. To my dismay, however, the initial half left me feeling underwhelmed. The storyline involving the prince from another kingdom failed to captivate me, leading me to question what had initially drawn me to the series over two years ago. While the main heroine remained charming, and the gentle fairy tale ambiance persisted, it just didn't hit the mark. It certainly wasn't deserving of an 8/10 rating — the first half of the second season felt like a six at best... What was missing, you ask? Romance! Who would've thought... It wasn't until the series delved into Sei's plans after finishing her work that I found myself re-engaging. Suddenly, there was a spark, and I savored the interactions between her and Albert as they were trying to figure each other out. Riding this relatively pleasant wave of fairy tale romance, I got to a sweet and colorful ending. Admittedly, it could have been better; the path toward it could have been more elaborate — I'd even sacrifice the entire first half for that. The colors in the finale could have been less muted, the music more poignant. Yet, despite these shortcomings, it managed to tug at my heartstrings, leaving me feeling content and slightly moved. However, you can't argue with math. When the first half rates a six and the second an eight, the overall score lands at a 7/10.

I have two significant gripes with I’m in Love with the Villainess, which ultimately hold me back from giving it a better rating than 3 stars. Firstly, I'm not a fan of romantic comedies built on the premise of one character relentlessly pursuing another who isn't exactly enthusiastic about it at first but eventually caves in or realizes they have feelings for the pursuer. I've experienced this dynamic from both sides, and neither memory is particularly fond. Back when I was sixteen, I found myself crazily chasing after a girl — I look back now and cringe at how annoying I must have been. Later in life, I had someone relentlessly pursue me, bombarding me with dozens of text messages daily and showing up at my workplace with romantic confessions, despite my lack of interest. Simply put, this approach makes me uncomfortable, and unfortunately, it's a significant aspect of the series, relied upon for a good portion of its humor. The narrative suggests that rejecting someone outright isn't fair because you never know how you'd feel if you were in their shoes. Personally, I believe in honesty and firmly turning someone down if I'm not interested, as it allows them to move on and find someone who is right for them. On the other hand, maybe this is why the persistent heroine eventually triumphs, unlike Jeoffrey. The second issue I had was with the unfortunate subplot involving the love between a maid and her brother. While small, it was unpleasant, positioning incest as a form of tragic forbidden love. While the series may suggest sympathy for the siblings, I vehemently disagree with that notion. As for the question, "Jeoffrey, what do you have against incest?" Well, for one, I have siblings myself, which should suffice as an explanation — most people in similar situations would understand. Secondly, I paid attention in biology class, learning about the genetic implications of incest. Thirdly, history lessons taught me about the consequences of incest for some noble families. And fourthly, I'm not from Alabama... But enough about what didn't sit well with me; let's focus on the positives. I appreciated how the series portrays love, no hiding or hints, the main heroine proudly and openly embraces it. The energy and pace of the series were also commendable. Furthermore, the concept of disregarding the main paths within a visual novel and forging your own way, with a villainess, is both entertaining and original. If the dynamic between the main characters had been portrayed differently to be less intrusive, and if a certain storyline had been omitted, I might have rated it higher — maybe even significantly higher. But as it stands, it's a 6/10 for me.

Shy, AKA Bocchi no Hero Madoka Magica, follows the journey of a timid heroine who confronts the darkness lurking within human hearts. While the portrayal of the heroine's shyness isn't entirely lacking, it fails to truly captivate or endear me as a viewer or root for Teru/Shy. Despite this, it's still somewhat enjoyable to witness her gradual growth and struggles. On the heroic front, the series offers an interesting blend of classic comic book heroes, mahou shoujo, and perhaps even a hint of super sentai. However, this fusion doesn't quite hit the mark—it comes off as rather peculiar and fails to fully engage or compel. The exploration of battling darkness within the human heart is executed reasonably well, particularly evident in Pepesha's arc in the second half. Visually, there's evident effort, though the inspiration behind it is clear. While the story initially left me lukewarm, it gained momentum in the second half, becoming more enjoyable and leaving me genuinely curious about the upcoming second season. In terms of characters, I found the antagonists more intriguing, with their unique qualities standing out (I had a similar experience watching D.Gray-man). Yet, I also managed to find favorites among the heroes, despite one being an alcoholic and the other a bit of a tsundere. Overall, Shy is a decent show in my book, earning a solid 3 stars or rather 6.3/10.