A writer trying to challenge themselves and push outside of their comfort zone isn't necessarily a bad thing, IMO, though the proof will certainly be in the pudding.
My Megaman and MegaTen RPG LiveblogsI live for Tsukipro.
Also, they're bringing in the yokai AU this season. And they're doing a fourth yokai AU stage play in September. They actually have three stage plays on in September. (They're from the same producers as the Identity V stage plays).
I know everyone says this about their favorites, but it's really not like other idol series. Besides the fact that it's mostly fantasy AUs
(that are actually well-thought-out with great world-building), the music
is also several steps up from what you'd think of as idols.
Edited by lavendermintrose on Jun 30th 2021 at 6:15:25 PM
Right... My first two anime series to start the cour!
Initial Reactions:
Peach Boy Riverside: Interesting premise, Frau is just the cutest, and Fantastic Racism to start the plot...? Um, ok?
Scarlet Nexus: Another interesting premise... Hope this sticks though... Oh, and I bet that Yuito and Kasane are related. It seems too obvious.
Edited by thuse on Jul 2nd 2021 at 2:31:52 AM
Woo, already time to go through my list and despair at how many good shows there'll be.
- Peach Boy Riverside: "What if Momotaro, but gory" is the vibe I get from previews. It was nice that the show didn't go all in on gore from the start, and I quite like Sally and Frau so far. Fanservice will probably be badly inserted at random though, if that sudden tentacle molestation fantasy is any indication. The beginning feels a little... abrupt, though. But I'll certainly be checking this one out.
- Scarlet Nexus: Might was well, since I won't be playing the game for a while. First episode was fine, I'm interested, but not a whole lot to say for now.
- Higurashi Sotsu: Going to be hate-watching this, since the previous season pretty much irreparably ruined the setting for me. Can't even get a Rena-focused arc without it being caused By Satoko being an evil little shit of her own volition. Sigh.
First Impressions
- Peach Boy Riverside: This pilot has a feeling of being like a stew of disparate elements, especially with both the rushed pacing and awkward pauses between scenes. It starts as this a chance encounter between an ex-princess called Sally and a rabbit demihuman called Frau, and it seems to set up a lighthearted slice-of-life travelogue with Fantastic Racism and occasionally giant chickens blocking the way. Then they get thrown into jail, get out of jail, random ecchi scene gets thrown in, and a giant horned walrus smashes some randos in an unexpectedly gory display of might. The ex-princess is apparently some crazy relative of Momotaro from the folktale, so she has a split personality out for ogre blood. That’s a lot of things to digest for a first episode. At present it’s a bit too random, and the flow of the story isn’t properly engaging. Would have probably been better to develop Sally before showing her meeting Frau and the ensuing craziness. Trying until episode three.
- Scarlet Nexus: Soldiers with powers, mysterious enemy monsters. You know the drill. The action scenes aren’t half-bad, I expected the usual laser spam and speed lines and incessant shouting, but the characters here fight with a semblance of technique and somewhat skillful use of powers. The monster designs are amusingly kooky as well. Like one of them is literally a flower vase with legs. That said, it’s still still painfully generic. Trying until next episode.
Edited by fillerdude on Jul 2nd 2021 at 9:37:25 AM
Case study of Vanitas: as the only shows I've resolved to watch all season (though I'm check out Kageki Shoujo as well now that I've heard it's a shoujo manga) I had high hopes based of my memory of reading this years ago and man, it didn't disappoint. From the direction to some of the expressions you can really tell a former shaft employee wrote this and the interactions between the characters is as fun as I remember. Noe is a cutie and I want to stuff Vanitas into a locker, 10/10!
I absolutely cannot help but adore handsome 2D boys Initial Reactions
Vanitas no Carte: A breathtaking first episode with dashes of awe and heat. The premise also hooks me. I look forward to this anime!
Hamefura X: Bakarina is back, and she's been having fun being herself since the finale of last season. Alas, things don't last forever... Can't wait to see more hijinx!!
@fillerdude re: Magia Record
The thing is that the first season was primarily a Debut Queue, that followed The Stations of the Canon to a T. As such we have to deal with 2-3 episodes introducing one of the Mikazuki girls before getting to rest of the plot (and said Debut Queue was half of the game's plot as well..for the first arc at least) Season 2 seems to be going for the back end which is after the debut queue the one Sixth Ranger (Kuroe possibly joining the group aside) not actually appearing in the present until halfway though the final chapter. This means there are no new additions to the cast bar cameos or maybe the very endgame where the Magius makes their move on the other meguca and thus the plot not having much reason to slow down.
FWIW I'm planning on watching it myself, but then again I am interested in seeing the adaptational deviations and I want to have something to watch when Loki (2021) ends. Plus I played the game while it was active and watched the first season already so I already have some attachment to the cast anyway.
Edited by MorningStar1337 on Jul 2nd 2021 at 7:48:23 AM
Hmmm… I’ve pretty much forgotten most of the first season, so I think I’ll bow out of that one.
First Impressions
- I, Tsushima: It’s kinda like Garfield if Garfield had gray fur and Jon was replaced by an old cat lady. Continuing.
- Vanitas: One could never fault the author of Pandora Hearts for his sense of aesthetics, which is in full display here. From the intricately detailed luxury airship to the bright blue moon to the steampunk Paris backdrop, every scene is a treat for the eyes. The soundtrack is great as well. Unfortunately I could not find myself invested in the book beneath the pretty cover. The premise is rather straightforward, the business with vampire corruption feels passe and the characters are decidedly generic. Noe seems likable enough but Vanitas himself is the sort to kick up a fuss and let others clean up after him. And when Vanitas restores that woman’s true name I thought, “it’s a gorgeous still, but is this supposed to impress me?” That said, this is just the first episode, and I can think of a myriad ways the story can become actually interesting. Trying until episode five.
Initial Reactions:
Kageki Shoujo!!: Well this really made an impression. I'm talking lampshading on Double Standards on Touch, cancel culture, and an actual creep looking for Ai by the end. Apart from that, the two mains look lovely. I hope this doesn't hit me hard with too much seriousness...
RE-MAIN: A very funny, very interesting, and yet, a fairly shocking introduction to an original sports anime. Oh, and the OP rocks!
Edited by thuse on Jul 4th 2021 at 2:43:43 AM
Some fiirst impressions so far.
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Sotsu: Satoko being a bitch was excepteble. Pretty interesting to see some Gou scenes from the new angle. Otherwise it's the same. I just hope we won't get to much accent on Satoko again. New OP is good.
Peach Boy Riverside: pretty strange decision to air weps out of order (though, I am not sure if itr will be the same for CR streaming). And pretty odd series overaqll. Will give it a few eps. Frau is the best girl for now.
Bokutachi no Remake: The writer (both of LN and anime) is a professional VN scriptwriter (he worked in different roles on such famous V Ns as Grisaia series, Ao Kanata no Four Rhythm and Narcissu ).
Also, as Bushiroad recently aquired Front Wing, no wonder thy purt two of their vocalists in the main cast and their groups to sing OP and ED.
As for the episode itself, I am sure a lot of people will find it boring, but I really liked it. I like this series about college students, especially with arts focus. And the excecution is good so far, though, I would have preferred less typical harem tropes.
The twist at the end was obvious and I bet the other two are also guys from the Platinum Generation MC admires.
Edited by Nachtwandler on Jul 3rd 2021 at 4:52:21 AM
Getter Robo Arc looking good. The new version of DRAGON for the ED is a great melancholic take on the original.
Watch SymphogearFirst Impressions
- Bokutachi no Remake: I’m not going to lie, I chuckled when the MC did the monologue about wanting to turn back time and that… doesn’t happen. But ignore the overly long fakeout intro, you’ve probably read the synopsis— yes the guy somehow travels back in time and now he’s going to the art college of his dreams instead of picking the safe route like he did before. This gave me vibes of Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo, in that it’s about an average dude wanting to become a popular creator, and he’s surrounded by artistic prodigies that make that goal seem unreachable. I like how grounded the MC is, which belies his advanced mental age compared to his peers. The pilot was more about setting up the plot and introducing the relevant characters; I hope future episodes delve more into the nitty gritty, good and ugly of the creative process. Obviously the MC’s housemates are the Platinum Era and they’ll probably end up forming a club to make a film or anime or video game. Continuing.
- Re-Main: What the heck, they’re actually giving the MC Laser-Guided Amnesia. He won Nationals in water polo but forgot all about it. Which is kind of a questionable way to have the protagonist be a “talented newcomer” to the sport. Kinda feels like the memory loss should be a bigger deal? On the bright side even though he’s an amnesiac the MC has quite a bit more personality to him than the average sports anime lead. He tried to sell his grade school art project as souvenir merch! Funny guy. It helps that they spent the entire first episode developing him and his family, instead of jumping straight into Water Polo 101. My concern is that in my experience these one-cour sports shows generally fare worse when they try to mix in something extra into the standard formula. We’ll see. Continuing.
- Kageki Shoujo: It’s about trainees for a fancy schmancy acting troupe, and as you’d expect these elite girls are snobbish. So it’s a relief that the gigantic, carefree Sarasa is there to make a happy mess of things. Though I too question her credentials as a performer, she’s fun to have around. I’m a lot less interested in Sullen Sourface and the rest of the divas. Hoping we’ll see the cast tackling some actual acting/dancing lessons soon. Trying until episode three.
- Realist Hero: It’s okay. Kind of just went through the motions til they could reveal the gimmick, which is that the MC becomes a king and has to get the country in order. Now it depends on how much they explore societal reform, commerce and government. Trying until episode three.
- Duke of Death and his Maid: Hapless lad gets constantly teased by his blonde maid which stresses him out because he kills anything he touches. It knows it wants to pander to the Nagatoro demographic. And it milks some drama out of the death touch curse. I’m not a fan. Dropped.

Uh, from what I can tell, the writer doesn't have experience with much of anything. They have some minor credits for helping with the story in the more recent Psycho Pass stuff, and that's it