Tag Archives: Anime

March comes in like a lion – Episode 8

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March had another strong episode this week, one that brought some narrative congruity to a few disjointed sequences by tethering them all to Rei’s upcoming shogi match. The show seems to have largely resolved my initial complaints at this point, mostly through the natural progression of its character work. With Rei, the sisters, and side characters like Harunobu all so well established, the show’s comedy has become more warm and character-focused than abrasive and tonally incongruous, making the show a general pleasure to watch. While I wouldn’t say it’s the “best” show I’m watching this season, I’m pretty sure there’s no show I’m enjoying more than March. It’s a story I’m always happy to spend time with.

You can check out my full review over at ANN, or my notes below!

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Why It Works: Flip Flappers’ Fearful Symmetry

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Couldn’t keep myself away from Flip Flappers, as it turns out. The Why It Works articles are actually very well-suited for exploring the show, since its ideas are all relevant across episodes, and so it’s handy to analyze single threads that have carried between them. This time I talk about the show’s use of visual symmetry, which essentially expands on my earlier writing about the show’s generally stellar visual storytelling. Take a look!

Why It Works: Flip Flappers’ Fearful Symmetry

Flip Flappers

Ojamajo Doremi – Episode 1

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Today we embark on a new notes adventure, checking out the unusually renowned children’s show Ojamajo Doremi! Most of what I know about this one consists of “it has a remarkably high-tier staff,” that staff includes Mamoru Hosoda at some point, and its face game is extremely strong. Children’s anime in general tends to be somewhat better-written than the stuff for teenagers, so I guess we can lump that into the “potential knowledge” pile. Also witches? I believe witches are involved. Either way, I’m down for another exploration of one the shows those sakuga nerds keep going on about. Let’s get right to it!

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Nichijou – Episode 17

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And we’re back with more Nichijou! Last episode was a very important one, as it finally made the first dent in Nano’s anxious school experience. In spite of her hopes, Nano’s arrival at school has largely just been a source of frustration and anxiety for her, but Yuuko visiting her house will likely go a fair way in making her feel welcomed. Plus I’d just like to see Yuuko and her friends spend more time with the professor, who is good and important and needs all of the friends. Give your friends to the professor, Nano, don’t be greedy.

Anyway, enough preamble. Let’s open another day with some bright and shining NICHIJOU!!!

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Sound! Euphonium 2 – Episode 9

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Hoo boy was this a stunner. I was feeling a little down on this show after last week’s fairly mundane episode, but then Ishidate had to show up and just blow the doors off Asuka’s story. This was one of the best episodes in either season of Euphonium, a stunning tribute to one of the show’s most enigmatic and compelling characters. Asuka is a terrific character, and sometimes it feels like this is the only studio equipped to handle her. Euphonium continues to be full of wonderful surprises.

You can check out my megasized review over at ANN, or my notes below!

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Girlish Number – Episode 8

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Girlish Number continued with its excellent parent-focused material this week, using time away from Chitose to let Kazuha and Momoka have some of the show’s most emotionally effective material yet. I’ve been enjoying these vacations from our lead terror, but I’m hoping the show will able to grant her some of the sensitivity it’s offered her friends in the final act. Chitose may be a gremlin, but she’s our gremlin.

You can check out my full review over at ANN, or my notes below!

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Fall 2016 – Week 8 in Review

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This week in anime felt a little lonely, courtesy of March taking a sick day, but the rest of our contenders did their best to liven things. Flip Flappers and Euphonium had unexpectedly ordinary episodes (at least for those shows’ definitions of ordinary), but Girlish Number continued to focus on strong character writing over industry commentary, which is definitely where the show shines. Kira found himself with yet another ridiculously specific serial killing-enabling power, and Yuri on Ice decided it was time to introduce a tragic incest narrative and make Yurio a catboy. All in all it was a pretty standard week down on the anime farm, but I still found a thing or two worth talking about. Let’s run ‘em down!

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Jinsei: Life Consulting – Review

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Jeez, some shows sure are a load of dirt. Jinsei definitely counts among the worst shows I’ve reviewed for ANN, lacking the fundamental sadism of something like Psycho-Pass 2, but more than making up for that in pure bland mediocrity. As I say in the review, Jinsei is one of those shows you watch and then feel you’ve consumed nothing at all. Thanks for nothing, Jinsei.

You can check out my full review over at ANN, or my fatigued notes below!

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G Gundam – Episode 2

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Alright, time to watch G Gundam’s second episode! I’m assured by my feed that the show actually takes a while to get good, but my feed is full of liars and filthy robot-likers, so I am not fooled by their conniving ways. G Gundam will have to live or die on its own merits, based on my stringent and robot-suspicious dramatic senses. PROVE YOURSELF, G GUNDAM!

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Why It Works: March comes in like a lion Explains Shogi

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Hello again! For this week’s Why It Works, I focused on a roughly three minute scene from the latest March, and basically unpacked it into an investigation of Rei’s personality and the nature of teaching and media salesmanship. It’s always nice when some offhand element of a show gestures towards a larger topic like this, and I had a bunch of fun writing this one. I hope you enjoy the piece!

Why It Works: March comes in like a lion Explains Shogi

March comes in like a lion