It’s time for a new general discussion thread! Hot takes, recommendations, questions, cautionary tales, all of it is welcome here.
As always, remember to be mindful of spoilers. If you want to know more about how to handle spoilers in this community, check the guide here (also linked in the sidebar).
My new season has sort of settled in. I think I’ve cut down to things I’m pretty likely to finish, and I’ve decided on the anime I’ll be showing to my friends (every season I pick out around 6 for them and they choose 3 of them to watch together). The tasting menu this time is 365 Days to the Wedding, Acro Trip, Dan Da Dan, How I Attended an All-Guys Mixer, Let This Grieving Soul Retire, and Yakuza Fiance, with a bonus option to rewatch Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun, since the new season (this winter) is coming out after five years and we don’t remember what happened, lol. I’ll also be recommending Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, which, like Chainsaw Man before it, would absolutely be on the agenda if I had the stomach for it, but I’m much too squeamish.
I’m also personally following Nina the Starry Bride and The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor for some shoujo trash, and Ranma 1/2 for some tsundere nostalgia.
Meanwhile, my friends and I finally finished our shows from last season! Here are my thoughts:
Dahlia In Bloom - 3/10
This one was rough animation-wise, but we stuck with it because it seemed like it’d be a cute little romance. Instead, we sat through episode upon episode of business meetings about foot fungus and hiring craftsman and splitting revenues and on and on. Every week we desperately pleaded for Dahlia and Wolf to go on a date or accidentally touch hands and then blush at each other or something, and by the end they each told the grave of a dead parent that the other was a really good friend. The whole season seemed pointless, like hours of setup for a plot that never arrived.
Elusive Samurai - 9/10
This was good solid fun the whole way through. The CGI was a little rough in some places, but ultimately that is more than forgiven because it’s clear they were spending that saved time wisely on the amazing sakuga moments. All the characters were fun to watch and it was great watching them grow in both skill and maturity. Strong recommend.
Sempai is an Otokonoko - 10/10
It feels so good to see a queer story that both revels in the joy of being oneself and doesn’t shy away from the fear and hurt that come from a hostile society. Our leads have legitimate worries, but they also have strong bonds with both each other and all the allies in their lives. The end of the season left a lot of loose ends, but I think it paused in a good place. I’m looking forward to the movie, and maybe a second season after that if they get it, and I’m still holding out hope for the polyamory ending (complete love triangle, let’s go!)
Oh, I forgot to mention. I watched Blue Miburo, but it was bad in a pretty boring way, 1/5, but I got a little bit distracted while watching it and wanted to share.
The main character’s voice sounded familiar, so I looked it up and found out he’s played by Umeda Shuuichirou, and there’s a reason I recognize his voice. He’s been around for a few years, but during the summer season he played the main (or one of two main) characters in three different shows: Sempai is an Otokonoko’s Makoto, Shoushimin’s Jougorou, and Makeine’s Kazuhiko. Then, this season the same: Loner Life’s Haruka, Puniru’s Kotarou, and Blue Miburo’s Nio. I’m not too familiar with voice acting, but that seems like a lot of work two season in a row?? lol