Jeoffrey

Clearly, I liked these streaming vampires, because it all just had juice. The series was full of energy, fun antics, and often brought a smile to my face. I quickly grew fond of the girls, enjoyed getting to know them more, and rooted for them the whole time. There were also some more dramatic moments when the creators tried to play a more serious note, but sometimes it was slightly forced and sometimes it just didn't work properly. They really managed to touch me only once here, which is little in terms of attempts. What I have to praise is the fact that some of the tips here on how to increase your channel's viewership apparently work, at least that's what a few real Youtubers said, so the authors clearly didn't make it up. On the other hand, things like "it is necessary to release videos regularly" can be deduced even by someone who has only heard of Youtube. As for the animation and music, I am satisfied with both. Actually, I am overall satisfied and I wouldn't mind an extra addition where I could find out if Live will finally get her long-awaited --- blood. 7.4/10

Nanare Hananare is not the first anime about cheerleaders I've seen, so I have thanks to Anima Yell! to compare it with. I will probably start with what has not changed for me since 2018. I am still not a fan of cheerleaders and just like back then, today I still like the idea that the main purpose of cheerleaders is to encourage others. Well, in the first case, the girls from the series Anima Yell! managed to encourage me as a viewer, unfortunately Nanare Hananare didn't quite pull that off. There was a strong emphasis on various dramatic storylines, but all the problems the girls were facing only resonated with me halfway. I still thought that cheerleading should be fun first and foremost, but here it didn't seem too fun to me at times, as most of the girls, instead of having fun, were spending a lot of time searching for themselves and solving all those mentioned dramas. I probably prefer energetic and fun presentations in cheerleader series, like the one I got from Anima Yell!. What I liked about Nanare Hananare was the animation, it had its own style, which was complemented by the chosen color palette. Studio P.A. Works put a lot of effort into the few performances that the anime offered and managed to animate them completely in 2D with nice fluid movement and decent choreography. Especially some of those jumps with pirouettes looked very good. As for the characters, the girls were likeable, there wasn't anyone I had a problem with, but on the other hand, there wasn't anyone who particularly caught my attention and whom I would be sure to remember maybe a year from now. The same probably applies to the whole series, it was quite a decent watch, but a year from now... 6/10

Have you ever heard of a rabbit hole? Do you know that you can fall into it? And did you know that one such rabbit hole is the world of VTubers? If you know all of this, then you will feel right at home while watching this series. If you have never heard of VTubers, then this series can help you get an idea of what it actually is, what is fun about it, and roughly what kind of content these "virtual streamers" create. Of course, it has its negatives, one of the bigger ones being that the series hardly touches on any negative aspects (except for lightly hinting at stalking) that this profession can bring. Similarly, there is no discussion of the real life of our streamers here, or rather everything is presented in a way that it is completely intertwined with the virtual, so girls in reality look just like their models on the stream. Because the first rule of the rabbit hole says something like "we ignore the privacy and real life of the creators, as if they didn't exist, we don't consider the real person behind the model, only the virtual personality exists" and most of the community really respects that, so with many VTubers you don't know what they actually look like. Basically, it's all just advertisement for VTuber girls, which respects the local rules. However, it's still good advertisement, because Nana Nanato clearly knows and loves this world, and the creative team that took on the adaptation is similar. You will notice it from the fact that the models of our VTuber girls are created and move exactly as the real models on the stream behave. Or from the plethora of references and jokes about real VTubers, whether it's rating memes or sexy fan art from viewers, mention of bug-eating and tarantula-cooking, weekly news with a guest... Anyone who experienced the peak of VTubers around the time of the COVID pandemic, heard about agencies like Hololive, just knows. Likewise, we have here all kinds of diverse VTuber content from gaming to various collabs, competitions, and even a VTuber concert. The behavior of the majority of VTuber girls is perfectly captured here and how the main character transforms from a virtuous girl into a very unique personality that is much closer to the real person behind the model gradually affects most of these streamers, and there is no need for it to be done as a shock, so that they forget to turn off their stream. Your true nature will always show... Of course, the relationships between individual creators are also presented and analyzed, both from the same generation and from higher and lower ones. And occasionally there are also various sexual references and lewd jokes, because every proper VTuber girl is like Hóšó Marine with her "I’m horny!" and because sex sells and most of your audience are gentlemen, there is probably a reason why this industry is full of this kind of fun (though again it has its rules), probably clear... It is also pleasing that we see real video games played here, such as Getting over It or the Japanese Ao Oni. Similarly, the final concert is presented as most VTuber concerts usually look, meaning that 3D models were created for the two local girls as well. And the final collage, where real VTubers appear, is just the last love letter from the creators of this anime to this very special branch of the entertainment industry. And I appreciate all of this. During the pandemic, I spent more than a year with VTuber girls and it was mostly a very pleasant experience. Just like with normal streamers, I managed to find creators here whose humor I liked, and even today I sometimes watch their videos. So I enjoyed this anime, even though it is mainly advertising from the creators, a declaration of love and an attempt to bring this crazy bazaar and its beauty closer to other people, because the rabbit hole is huge and we can all fit into it. 7/10

Yatagarasu is an interesting series. Thanks to its setting in the fantasy realm of three-legged crows, with a big palace full of intrigue and politics, there is a lot that can surprise and entertain a person. And some twists were really unexpected, yet when I connect everything I saw in the previous episodes, they always make sense. There are also a lot of well-done characters, not only among the main ones, but also many supporting characters have a lot of space and something to offer. There are even two luxurious psychopaths, from whom, in the moment their character is revealed to the viewer, shivers run down the spine. The production values are also very good. Although I'm not completely blown away, the series didn't catch me to the extent that I eagerly awaited each new episode (sometimes I even had a bit of an issue with the pace of the story), but I can calmly state that it was a consistently good spectacle, which all those surprising twists ultimately raise to around 7.4/10.

Glory is not a game of just one player and this third season is not just about one (maximum two) successful episode. The finale was great, the last (seventeenth) episode is almost halfway filled with fighting sequences that look really great. Although the fights are not 100% smooth, some anime are a bit further ahead in terms of action scenes, but still these battles were very enjoyable to watch. However, that was just the last episode and maybe even the penultimate one. The rest of the series didn't seem as great to me. It's nice that this season had more episodes this time, but when you shorten the runtime, something takes away from you the opening and ending and also cram mandatory commercials for ice cream, drinks, etc. into each episode, suddenly you don't have much extra time left. As a result, individual episodes then look even shorter than they really are. Additionally, everything possible is being addressed, some things seemed almost irrelevant to me and I missed a proper build up to the actual finale, which was supposed to be exactly what I, as a viewer, had been waiting for since the first episode. There are quite a few action sequences and minutes in the actual game in this season (except for the last two episodes), or rather, less than I would have liked. A lot of backstage issues are being addressed, new players are being recruited for the team, which is all important, but in my opinion, it takes up too much time. In short, despite the great and satisfying finale, which I can imagine as a quality ending to the entire series (although who knows, maybe there will be another season, this time mainly about e-sports and tournaments), I only got an average season, whose finish raises it all up to at least 6/10.

Jiřina bloomed here, but I can't say that she managed to captivate me. On the other hand, the main heroine was likeable and belonged to the better part of what the series offered. After all, I like independent women, even though Dahlia helps everyone around with their emancipation, and I really missed some situation where she would demonstrate her own strength, something she could handle with her determination. The series probably came closest to this right at the beginning, when SPOILER put the heroine in the way of a pre-arranged marriage and exposed her at least for a while to the problems associated with being a woman (with her own character) in the local society, inspired by the Middle Ages END OF SPOILER. Unfortunately, however, this whole subplot, which could have been very fruitful, the building of the heroine's future character, somehow happened over two episodes and had almost no power or any interesting consequences. As for the other characters, for example, Dahlia's friend Wolfred was actually quite nice, a kind of average good knight (without a white horse). He definitely belonged to the more memorable ones, because the rest were more like helpers and a kind godmother. Unfortunately, the whole romantic plotline felt like a heavy visit to the "friend zone" the whole time, and unlike the surroundings, I don't see any significant chemistry between the main couple. As for the story itself, I sometimes got bored. It is not surprising, as the most dangerous and scariest thing in the whole series is foot fungus, and the most interesting passage, which I mentioned earlier, is actually glossed over. I have nothing against anime where inventions are being made, discovered, traded, etc. But when I compare this story about Dahlia with let's say Ascendance of a Bookworm Ascendance of a Bookworm, one series is a whole steamer better. It is nice to see various inventions and processes that led to their creation, but here, all this manufacturing is so much fantasy that I don't really take anything from it (I can't get inspired or learn anything). On the other hand, I would probably praise the local world, which has its firm rules and limitations in certain aspects (for example, that magic cannot be mixed arbitrarily, or even marriages are not just like that, even trading and negotiations vary among different social castes), and so far it hasn't fallen apart for me. What about the production values? The animation is at best average, the music too. In the end, I have a for me average, maybe even slightly below average spectacle, which I don't know who to recommend to. Romance is weak, the fantasy element is boring, comedy mostly doesn't happen - this is just a series to kill time, which doesn't annoy much, but doesn't please either. 4.8/10

Days with My Step Sister tries so hard to dive deep into the psychology and emotions of its two main characters that, for me, watching it often felt uncomfortable. It’s a pretty heavy series, and I found myself dreading each new episode, but at the same time, I couldn’t fully walk away because I recognized its undeniable qualities. The way it captures the awkward, tense atmosphere between two strangers suddenly expected to become family—there’s something really effective about that. It conveys that discomfort so well, but honestly, it’s not a vibe I enjoy sitting with. The central theme of step-siblings navigating a potential romantic dynamic didn’t resonate with me either. I just couldn’t get invested in that kind of relationship, so I struggled to really connect with the story. Still, I can’t give it a bad rating because I can see the craftsmanship. The production quality is impressive, with creative use of filters, lighting, and color to match the mood. I also appreciated how the first half gave different perspectives from Yuuta and Saki, adding layers to the storytelling. It’s a tough one to rate because, while I didn’t enjoy it, I can’t deny that it’s well-made. It just wasn’t for me, but it still deserves at least a 5.5/10.

Isekai System is Genshou Yasuda’s second attempt, and it feels like a short spin on SAO. Unfortunately, it didn’t grab me enough to leave me wanting more. 3.5/10.

A short film by Genshou Yasuda, which feels like an early sketch for his upcoming feature-length project. It didn’t really grab me. The concept of a robotic girlfriend, the visual style, and the overall narrative just didn’t convince me that there’s more to explore here. That said, the robo-girl is admittedly cute, and the music was a nice touch, but beyond that, it didn’t offer much. Honestly, I found the trailer for his feature film more interesting. 4/10.

The prologue (or "Episode 0" as the distributors call it) really set the tone for Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction in a way that instantly grabbed my attention. The glimpse into the post-apocalyptic world hooked me right away. The apocalypse felt fresh and original, and because of that, I had no issues getting through the first few episodes, which have a very different, almost slice-of-life vibe, with a much slower pace. Honestly, I’m thinking of checking out the movie version, where this pacing might be smoothed out. That being said, the build-up did have a purpose. The series took its time to really flesh out the two main characters, Kadode and Ouran, along with their relationship and the other characters around them. As the layers of the sci-fi plot unraveled, we eventually circled back to where the prologue began, and the final episode wrapped things up so simply and elegantly. What I loved most about this show? The thought-provoking questions it posed and the careful, satisfying answers it provided. How would you react if you met an alien? How would humanity respond to such an encounter? Why do we fear the unknown? Why does power so often corrupt those who hold it? These and so many other questions came up throughout, and I found myself not just watching but thinking—and getting answers that were either intriguing, satisfying, or left open for me to ponder on my own. The show really nailed the sci-fi elements, with both the alien encounter and time travel aspects handled exceptionally well. I loved how the story gave us perspectives from both sides, making it clear that nothing is purely black or white. The time travel concept, simple and effective like in Terminator, was easy to follow yet impactful. By the time we reached the conclusion, everything felt so logical and straightforward, as if to say, "sometimes, it really just takes a little." The main characters were genuinely likable. After spending so much time with them, seeing their flaws and strengths, I found myself fully understanding their motivations. Yet, both girls still managed to surprise me as the story unfolded. The plot was thoughtfully layered, mixing intriguing ideas with themes that made you reflect, all while giving each element the time it needed to breathe. Inio Asano’s writing shines throughout, and I can see why his other works like Punpun and Solanin are so revered. Now, I’m genuinely curious to dive into those as well. Production-wise, the animation is top-notch, detailed, and polished. The character designs may not appeal to everyone, but they’re distinctive enough that you’ll easily recognize and remember each person. The music is another highlight, with the opening and ending songs hitting just right. Sure, the pacing felt slow at times, and maybe we lingered on certain points longer than necessary, but overall, this is a solid series that grew on me with each episode. By the end, I was thoroughly hooked and satisfied, and I’d give it a solid 8.3/10.