Finally caught up with the start of the season. I admit I was skeptical and the first bunch of animes wasn't really mine or were just terrible. But it seems like the good ones are trickling in right now. Just gonna say a bit of first impressions for each anime I've watched and didn't immediately drop. Every anime not named I have already dropped.
Musaigen no Phantom World
Not one of the best first eps and far from the best KyoAni pieces but it's probably going to get better. it's KyoAni after all so a certain quality is expected.
Shoujotachi wa Kouya wo Mezasu
It's nice and upbeat and has great timings in the comedy. It seems to be one of the very few Slice of Life this season that has no supernatural or SciFi elemets so I'm going to cherish it. Really great synergy between the characters. It's not the most original concept and it's not exceptionally good but it's a fresh breeze in this season which seems to be dominated by Fantasy/SciFi animes. I'm not very fond of the character designs though.
Active Raid
This one is basically saved by the chemistry between the characters and the good character designs. It's probably the closest to the drop right now but if they can keep the genki girl genki I might stick with it.
Boku Dake ga Inai Machi
I'm kinda sad that I was spoiled for this one by the PV someone posted in here. If not, the first ep probably had a bigger impact. But it's still quite good and has my absolute interest right now. It's probably that show that I will hate the most for being the critic's darling this season.
Divine Gate
This one I really don't want to like but man, those character designs are absolutely awesome. Those pronounced shadows really make it look like something unique. It's standard fare story but the ED convinced me in the end. The emo MC will be the biggest drag but it's nice to look at and sometimes that's all I need to stick around.
Koukaku no Pandora
Absolutely adorable. it's great fun from the very first 5 minutes and I probably won't get bored at any point. It also brings the severely lacking fan service this season craves. Might land in my top 5 this season.
Oshiete! Galko-chan
Nice short with great chemistry between the two MCs. It's not outstanding but it's fun and short and adds some ecchi fun to this way too serious season.
Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu
Absolute biggest surprise. Not just the anime itself but the fact that I actually enjoyed Rakugo for the first time. I knew what Rakugo is thanks to Joshiraku(highly recommended comedy anime!). Though I never thought that Rakugo itself would be my kind of comedy. But there I was sitting and actually laughing at the Rakugo performance of the MC.
The anime itself is very mature without being pretentious. That's a rare combination for Seinen animes but it seems easy for Josei just like this one (or Chihayafuru). My biggest recommendation this season for anyone who likes it without moe, fanservice, ecchi or twelve year olds in mech suits.
Phantasy Star Online 2
It's passable. Nothing out of the ordinary. It's dropped if it goes downhill but I don't expect any surprises in either direction.
Luck & Logic
Interesting concept on standard shounen Scifi/Fantasy. It's really nice to look at and overall slightly above average.
Bubuki Buranki
This one would be really high on my list if it wasn't for the CGI. The story, direction and visuals are above average but that CGI wants me to hate it. Mind you, it's good CGI but it's not as good as 2D. I really don't understand why they went that way. There is obviously a high budget behind it so proper 2D animation would be possible. I really want to like it and I want to know more about the nice characters and the story but, by god, that CGI :(
Ojisan to Marshmallow
Nice short with a great female protagonist. Good fun for inbetween and I've come to really love those "adults at work" scenarios.
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