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).
Watching Headhunted to Another World This one has been surprisingly enjoyable so far. They made the office worker serving the demon lord gimmick work. The characters are fun, but generally more mature than in typical anime, with pretty good chemistry. Episodes do follow a roughly repetitive format, but so far that is not an issue. 4/5
I’m a Noble on the Brink of Ruin, So I Might as Well Try Mastering Magic It is still ridiculous how easily everything falls into place for the main character, but that seems less silly and annoying in the anime. There does not really seem to be much of a plot and none of the characters really stand out yet, but it holds my interest just to see how much crazier the power creep goes. 3/5
Zenshu So far the good is outweighing the bad, but I’m not sure how long that will last. I love a lot about the show. The throwback vibe of the character designs, the art style, the overall concept… but something about it just feels empty. Like it is more of a picture book than a story. I hope that improves, but as is… 3/5
Solo Leveling I enjoyed the first season well enough, but this season has really amped things up. I binged the first few episodes, and really enjoyed them. Seems like several parts of the story are developing in the background. 4/5 maybe even 5/5.
The Apothecary Diaries The first season set such a high bar, I worried this one would be a let down. It is not. Everything, story, art, music, attention to detail, etc. picks right back up where it was. Having read some of the novels, it is amazing to see how many little details and concepts were teased earlier on than I realized. The writing is probably the best of any anime. I mean, there will be little side conversations, set pieces in corners, unnamed side characters seen only once, many of which end up mattering later and get expanded on in one way or another. 5/5
I Left my A-Rank Party… I’ve seen several versions of this same anime lately… This one is doing it better than most. It was nice to see the main character stand up for himself and leaving on his on instead of being kicked out for once. Can’t say it is doing anything especially good, but it isn’t doing anything annoying either. 3/5
Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf For some reason I was expecting this show to be more sexualized, so I’ve been pleasantly surprised that it has kept the stereotypical fanservice to a minimum. The characters have good chemistry, the overall concept is fun, there is a hint of a bigger story, the world jumping gimmick is working so far. This one definitely exceeded my unfairly low expectations. 4/5
I May Be a Guild Receptionist, but I’ll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time This is another one that might work better as an anime than a novel, at least the overtime complaining has been less annoying so far. The plot is decent but slow moving. The light novels follow the same basic formula of presenting an overtime based problem that leads to a bigger issue, that then resolves to reveal another piece of the meta plot. Very formulaic. The anime seems to be handling this well. 3/5
The Daily Life of a Middle-Aged Online Shopper in Another World I was not sure what to expect of this one, there was a similar anime a while back that I found incredibly dull, but so far this has been kind of interesting. The contrast of bringing in modern stuff that makes no sense in the context… reselling modern goods in the fantasy world market, base building, etc. has been interesting enough as are the characters. 3/5
From Bureaucrat to Villainess On paper, this looks ridiculous, but somehow it works. Much better than I expected, and a fresh feeling take on this whole sub genera. 4/5
Close to dropping:
Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time Hmm, I know I’ve watched this, but nothing notable comes to mind. 3/5
Magic Maker: How to Make Magic in Another World This one started weird. The whole: adult reincarnated as a child using (probably not pedophilic/incestual) love to unlock magic angle was concerning, but thankfully the show seems to be moving past that. Pacing has been incredibly slow so far, but the last episode finally had a good plot and felt much more impactful. Hopefully we are past the intro arc and things will pick up. 2/5
Even Given the Worthless “Appraiser” Class, I’m Actually the Strongest The typical" betrayed, dropped in a dungeon, and became absurdly strong scenario. I like some of the designs, especially the gremlin monsters, and it seems like it should be a good show, it just none of the characters are any good. The doormat MC, meek and nearly silent love interest, and cheeky abusive guide… maybe once they add a few more characters and get the next arc going it will improve. 3/5
Bogus Skill <<Fruitmaster>> Not completely terrible, but not great. The big battle of the first arc ended very underwhelmingly, the MC is becoming increasingly stupid, none of the characters really stand out in any meaningful way. 2/5
Dropped
I’m Living With an Otaku NEET Kunoichi There is nothing to this other than absurdly lewd characters and fan service. No real plot, characters barely have any personality outside their kinks, humor falls flat. 1/5
I want to escape from princess lessons The very first episode, by itself, was excellent. The rest is trash. Not only is the main character denied any agency (with clear foreshadowing that she will be abused/Stockholm-syndromed into “falling in love” with the prince) but she is presented as a clown with all the people around her, who are forcing her into this relationship, presented as the normal/rational ones. Apparently the audience is supposed to side with them and laugh at the “foolish” girl who does not want to spend the rest of her life as an emotionally stunted doll that exists only to be seen and admired by others. 2/5
Farmagia Tried watching this one recently. There might be elements of a good show in there somewhere, but they are buried under a pile of aggressively annoying nonsense. Far too much pointless slapstick, far too little of anything else. Basically everything I disliked about FairyTail without any of the stuff I liked. 2/5
Promise of Wizard I did not even make it through the first episode as it was clear I’m not in the target market for this. No plot, just an endless parade of forgettable characters. Apparently this was made to promote some sort of gatcha game. 1/5