A new year of stress, work but most the most fun of all; ANIME, I finished more Anime than I was expecting this season and so it really was hard for me to pick my top 5. As it was hard for me to do my top 5, I have added 2 honourable mentions instead of just 1.
Well here we go!
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Honourable Mention #1
Darwin's Game (11 Eps) – 4 Stars
I have had bad memories of this kind of Anime becoming a total train wreck and I am so glad that although this could have been better; it was not a complete let down. It was entertaining, got me on the edge of my seat at times and made me want the next episode as soon as possible. It was slow at times and I felt some situations could have been removed from the Anime to add more important stuff. The actions scenes were amazing, and I loved that I sensed the danger and lives-at-stake situation.
I really wished I could have got to know other characters a bit more as I feel I honestly do not know anything about half the people I met. I do not even know much about the main character. I do love his mind set and how he handled this whole situation. There were some characters that really got on my nerves, but I am used to that in most of the Anime that I watch now.
The animation was great, and it managed to make certain scenes work. The opening song was good although I do admit I enjoyed the ending song just a little bit more.
Overall, I did enjoy this Anime and I loved having that extra-long first episode. I do want another season as the ending hinted towards more.
Honourable Mention #2
In/Spectre (12 Eps) – 4 Stars
This was a funny, easy going at times and damn right weird Anime. This had potential to being so much better but at the same time; it was still really entertaining. The first few episodes I was just trying to get used to the style and pacing of the show. Then the middle part of the show was really engaging. The pacing was good, and I was not bored. Then the last few episodes I just felt like it was being dragged on a bit too much and I saw many other people online saying the same thing. They should have cut the certain storyline down to less episodes.
I never really got to know any characters very well bar the main characters.
Kurou was an interesting main character and although you do get to know a lot about him and he did play a big part in this show, I kind of felt I needed more from him.
Kotoko stole the show and the centre of attention every time she was on screen. She was funny, engaging and really cute at times. I feel like if it were not for her; this Anime would have been a disaster. She was the only character that I felt happy to see on the screen and I felt more for her than anyone else.
The Animation was good, and the fight scenes were done well. I loved the different types of creatures that were also well animated. The opening song was catchy, but I doubt I would go out of my way to listen to it. The ending song was also very catchy, and I loved the Animation that played along with it.
Overall, I really loved this show, but I felt like it could have been so much better if certain things did not happen and other things happened more. Would I want to see more of this show? Yes. To see it improved, but I doubt it will happen. Though I have been wrong before.
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#5
ID:INVADED (13 Eps) – 4 ½ Stars
This Anime shook me. I went into this Anime thinking it was not going to be good, but it ended up being the most improved throughout the series and it was engaging in ways other Anime this season failed. The start was a bit slow and shaky but after a few episodes and after I was used to the style of the writing, the pace, and the characters I was hooked, line and sinker. There is a reason why this is not a 5 Star rating; that is to do with certain things being predictable...
I think this is one of the first Anime where I really was confused with how I felt with all the characters. One moment I like a character, the next I hate them or vice versa. My emotions were conflicted with who was good or bad. All I can say is every character was necessary and every character was written and developed nicely. My favourite two characters were
Sakaido and
Hondoumachi.
I had no qualms about the Animation. It did its job and I loved how it was animated inside the “Well”. The opening song was catchy and fitting. The ending song for this Anime was one of my favourite endings for the season; its catchy, addicting and just epic. There was also many “Insert” songs that were perfect for the said scenes they played.
Overall, I really loved this Anime and it really was close to be a 5 star. This is an Anime that I will not forget and will most likely re watch in the future.
#4
The case files of Jeweler Richard (12 Eps) – 4 ½ Stars
If you said to me “you will watch an Anime about Jewels and love it” a year or so ago; I would have laughed so hard and went “hell no”. Here I am…after watching an Anime about said thing and I loved this show to the moon and back. Let us get one thing straight. This was not just about Jewels; if it were, I would most likely have giving up on this show. The main element to me was about relationships. Relationships between family, friends, and acquaintances. The pacing of this show was perfect, and I never thought it was being rushed or slow. When they wanted you to feel a certain emotion; you were feeling it. This was an almost perfect Anime.
I loved the many different characters that was introduced in this show, but I want to focus on the two main characters.
Seigi is introduced as being a hero; always wanting to help people out when they are being treat wrongly or in danger. I knew in that moment that could be a fault in the future. I loved how kind he is, and I loved how he is willing to do anything and everything to help people.
Richard was introduced as a stoic man with an analytical approach to things. He has a way with words and although he does not wear his emotions on his sleeve, you can still tell when he is feeling a certain way. The differences in both their personalities may in most scenarios mean they have nothing in common and nothing to bond over but throughout the whole series they do end up bonding and it creates a magical relationship. Whether you see them as a couple or just as best friend. This is one relationship that is built on a strong foundation.
The animation was done well, and I loved how amazing the Jewels were shown. The opening song was very fitting and nice, but the ending song was magic and simply perfect for this show. The feelings I already had from the show ends up going even crazier the moment the ending song starts.
Overall, I really loved this show and I will never underestimate an anime about a subject I would not normally be interested in. The ending was good, but I do want more from this show, so a second season would be amazing but if not…I can live with that.
#3
Haikyuu!! To the Top (13 Eps) – 5 Stars
After waiting so long for more Haikyuu!!, I would be lying if I said I was not excited as hell. I have said in previous posts; when it comes to anything to do with sport in real life then I will not engage with it but in Anime it is a different story. From the get-go I am hooked with this new season. The pacing was done nicely, and it flows very well. The Anime managed to successfully show off many moments including serious, comedic and action scenes without it going over the top and without it being too much at one time.
This season managed to develop many characters and its hard to talk about all of them, so I will only talk about a few of them.
Hinata is one of the main characters and he has been slowly developing in character development and skills as a player in this sport. I have always loved his personality and we really see him develop in other ways that we have not seen him explore before. I have not always been a fan of
Kageyama but in this series I started to like him just that bit more. We also see him develop more and see how he can lighten up at times.
Yamaguchi,
Tanaka and
Shimizu all had moments that shone in my eyes and it was great to see them have a little bit of spotlight even if only for a bit. I love how they all get along and even when they make mistakes, they are still there for each other. True teammates and friendships.
The animation for the most part was done really well, but I did find sometimes they could not quite make certain characters look smooth when in mid-air. Though I know that is most likely tricky. The opening song was amazing and addicting. Though what more do you expect from Haikyuu!!. The ending song was nice and sweet but was not my favourite from this franchise.
Overall, I really loved this series and I can’t wait for the rest of this season as it was split into two parts.
#2
Radiant 2nd Season (21 Eps) – 5 Stars
The first season was good, but this season was AMAZING. I was already into this storyline from season 1 but this season improved on the storyline, pacing and character development. The problem I had with season 1 was that I thought it was a bit slow at times it should not be and fast at times I felt it should have slowed down. They managed to rectify it in this season. The fight scenes were done well, and I enjoyed every single fight; even when it was not centred on the main character. I felt more emotions; good or bad within this season and my heart found it hard to handle certain scenes.
I must admit my favourite character is
Seth. He was VERY annoying in the first season but in this season, he really grew up and I could not help but be emotionally invested in him.
Ocoho is one of the new main characters introduced and I really loved her from the get-go; with every other character in this series it takes a while before I like or not like them but with her I was just invested in the character. Her growth in just this one season was impressive. Other characters that made this series that much better were
Mélie,
Myr and surprisingly
Diabal only because of a certain conversation.
The animation was the same as last season; thought I felt it looked cleaner during fights but that might be just me. Once again, this season only had one opening and one ending but the animation slightly changed. The opening would change the character near the end shot depending on the focus of the episode and I felt like the ending animation changed slightly though that could be me going crazy.
Overall, I really loved this season and I really hope that a season 3 is announced because I really want more from this crazy Anime.
#1
My Hero Academia 4 (25 Eps) – 5 Stars
Time for more Plus Ultra! Every time a season ends, we know a new season is just around the corner. Waiting for season 4 was just as hard as the past seasons. The wait was surely worth it. Just from episode 1 I am flung back into this crazy, epic and fantastic world of people with quirks. I love how unique each quirk is and I may say this every season but it’s true all the same. Even on the episodes where little action is done and it’s not as important it’s still just as interesting. There were scenes that was intense, and it had me feeling bad but in a good way and then there was moments that made me laugh out loud. There were also moments that made me cry; happiness, sadness and just being an emotional wreck. The action in this franchise has always been top tier and that quality did not drop in this season. The new storylines were engaging, and the pace of the season was perfect.
I can’t stop loving
Midoriya (
Deku). No matter what he’s doing; making mistakes or doing things right. He is strong, caring and loving. He always tries to do what’s best and seeing him go through this journey of trying to be the number 1 hero and gaining in skills, powers and techniques.
Eri is one of the new characters introduced in this season and she’s so adorable and cute. I love how she doesn’t want anyone hurt because of her and that just reminds me of how far
Deku is willing to risk and do to protect his friends.
Kirishima also managed to get some spotlight which was amazing; we also got some of his backstory which also helped me start to really like him as a character. The last character I’m going to talk about is
Mirio. He is one of the big 3 in school and he is also someone who would do anything and risk anything to protect the ones he loves. His light-hearted nature is something that I really love about him. I really did start to like more characters in this season but also started to find other characters a little too annoying.
The animation is always good in this show. The fight scenes were done very well and the scenes where they are moving in air or something similar was done amazingly. The two openings for this season were really good but not as good as previous seasons. The two ending songs were amazing, and they were much better than the openings. There was an insert song called “
Might+U” that was played in a certain episode that’s amazing and is hands down of my favourite insert songs for any anime.
Overall, this season was just everything that I wanted, and I honestly can’t wait for season 5. With that little sneak peek at the end of this season; it’s got me waiting. I will be patient and I will not dive into the Manga.
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It was incredibly hard to order my 5th and 4th and then to order my 3rd and 2nd. My first was easy as this season of My Hero Academia was amazing.
My next post will be either a Top 5 or an announcement post. Until then, have a good day.
Tara
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