The snow has melted and the sun has started shining once again. It's presumably a wonderful season outside, but I haven’t had time to confirm as about a million new anime have come out. It’s almost impossible these days to keep on top of all the new seasonals being released. But maybe, if you had like 25 people working as a team it would be doable?
This is what the r/anime awards off season team is here for! You can see some of our previous seasonal posts here and here. Finally, it actually is the off season so we’re back with a vengeance this time. We have too many reviews to fit in one reddit post, so check back on Thursday when we’ll post part 2.
Our metric is based on watching the first few episodes of a select few premieres and judging them via these four options:
Drop It – Save yourselves the time and don’t bother
Consider It – Watch it if you enjoy the genre, or wait until it is completed, though even then you may not enjoy it.
Watch It – should appeal to most everyone in one form or another.
Must Watch – if you are not watching this as it airs, you are seriously missing out.
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u/LittleIslander – Must Watch
A Hundred Scenes of Awajima, taken for its premise and its key visuals, may appear quaint on the outside. But as soon as the curtains rise and the show begins, it refuses to let you look away from the stage. Awajima Hyakkei demands your full attention, and it promises not to waste a second in return.
The series, following the lives of various girls at the titular takarazuka-inspired acting school Awajima, exists somewhere between ensemble and anthology. Each episode so far has followed a new set of characters, but each weaves itself meaningfully into what came before. Rather than merely a sum of separate parts, each episode further enriches Awajima by adding more and more onto a web of relationships where no life experience exists in isolation.
So far, the series has delivered a tone consistently ranging from bittersweet to outright tragic. Never, however, is the simple concept of a tragic backstory leaned upon for easy investment. Every emotion is earned through a consistently rich storytelling quality. If you don’t fully engage with the show’s ideas, it’ll lose you. Even if you do, you might be left confused. But every detail is there to be found and delivered with impactful visuals. A Hundred Scenes of Awajima is a one of a kind series and anyone with a taste for drama and character writing owes themselves a watch.
u/NormalGrinn – Must Watch
Awajima Opera School is a small world with a storied history. The walls, littered with smudges, are indicative of the school's age, but also of the façade of its prestige. It's a place many prospective students aspire to go to, yet when there, they are once again confronted with the idea that only a few can truly make it, leading to a prevalent culture of ingroups and bullying.
Past burdens can play just as much as a role in the lives of the students and staff at Awajima though, be that friends they had to leave behind or the expectations of family. This can be seen in episode 3 for example, where we explore the family history of current teacher Katsurako Ibuki, whose mother and grandmother also went to Awajima. This shifting of perspectives starts in the first episode, where after being introduced to Wakana Tabata we quickly shift to the story of her senpai getting into Awajima.
The past of Awajima also contains tragedy and a lot of regret. We see parallels with how students in the past were treated and the fast ostracization of the talented Asami Ookubo. The past is not something that can be changed however, but it's not all bad. We see that Tabata really admires Ibuki for example. Perhaps even if they can't right the wrongs of the past a new mindset will prevent them from happening again.
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u/voidembracedwitch – Drink It
The Kamiina Botan is a cocktail enjoyed far and wide by anime connoisseurs for its rich taste and high concentration of moe. To make it, one needs to mix 3 parts comfy vibes vodka, 3 parts CGDCT juice, and 2 parts rokudaime yuri in a shaker, serve on the rocks, and garnish with the most exquisite art direction they have. It's a straightforward recipe, but each storyboarder, episode director, and animation director bartender finds their own unique way to prepare it, bringing out flavors nobody else can.
Or, to put this into plain anime terms, Kamiina Botan is a delightful show about a bunch of women enjoying each other’s presence as dorm mates with things often getting flirty, whenever alcohol is involved. The budding relationship between the titular Botan and the dorm's RA, Ibuki, forms one of the core strengths of the series as the former's teasing and joyful demeanor when tipsy introduces the latter to the appeal of social drinking. Whether it's trying on clothes in between downing glasses of sparkling wine or vibing to a vinyl record with beer bottles in hand, the scenes of these two having a good time together fluctuate between cozy and intimate in a way that always makes them charming to watch.
But the real icing on the cake —or rather garnish on the highball glass—is the production, particularly the sheer degree of freedom the staff involved have to make each episode their own. Whether it's the refined cutesy approach to Kirara-kei moe designs of the premiere or the compulsively loose character art alongside shot choices inspired by 2000s Shaft works of the third episode, each week delivers a fresh experience. All of this is without mentioning the nostalgic feel the OP evokes through emulating the look of older home videos (unstable handheld camera included) and Kou Yoshinari's varied shading and coloration choices for his EDs. Kamiina Botan is a treat that everyone who loves visual variety in their anime or simply wants to grab a drink of their choice and enjoy 24 minutes of cute girls doing gay things is sure to appreciate.
u/Adimg – Savour It
Kamiina Botan is an unabashed ode to the power of alcohol as a social lubricant, anchored by its acutely observed introduction to collegiate life. More than that, it serves as a vehicle for its animators to indulge their obsessions without restriction, with the show maintaining an extremely liberal relationship to its character sheets. It’s a trait the series utilizes to near perfection, with each charismatic artist enhancing specific moods like a master bartender mixing custom cocktails.
Miyabi’s attractive style in the premiere perfectly captures Ibuki’s magnetic pull on Botan, while its third episode uses Gin-san’s loose art and mid-00s Shaft-inspired editing to deliver a fever dream that oscillates between the horror of a stormy night, the mystique of Radiohead's Kid A, and the reverie of a seaside onsen. Sandwiched in the middle is Fugo’s naturalistic posing, which fully brings out the teasing charm of a budding romance, while deliciously contrasting it with a quaint tiff between old lovers.
It’s hard not to fall in love with the show’s captivating cast given how luscious its delivery is. All that said, there’s no critical examination of alcohol’s effects here, either personally or societally, so skip this if that’s what you’re seeking. Otherwise, strap in and savour this luxurious cocktail for all it’s worth.
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u/Animestuck – Consider It
Meitantei Precure! solidly occupies the space between classic mystery and the Precure formula, providing a twist to the usual monster-of-the-week. The mysteries are pretty light and simple, not throwing out too many twists, but providing a satisfying structure to each episode before it devolves into your typical Precure fighting an anthropomorphized object. This series seems to focus primarily on a duo, similar to Futari wa Precure or Mahoutsukai Precure, with a third Cure present, but currently on the opposing side. The main Cures are fine, if typical of leads for a Precure series. Our third Cure is where a lot of my current interest lies. She’s got a lot of intrigue built up around her, as well as being generally a pretty endearing character herself. She’s also got the better mascot character connected to her.
In terms of production, this season has some decent character design, but it hasn’t had much to really elevate it above your average Precure series. The fights are rather standard, with somewhat immersion-breaking super attacks. It’s not doing much to make the mysteries stand out. The soundtrack is what you’d expect, light-hearted tunes with a bit of a mystery motif for most of it, and for the big attacks and transformations, more exciting, triumphant songs.
If you’ve not tried Precure before, this wouldn’t be the worst series to start with, but definitely isn’t the pinnacle of the franchise. If you usually don’t like Precure, this probably won’t do much for you. If you like Precure, this season does enough to be worth checking out.
u/Danhoc – Consider It
As someone barely familiar with the franchise, Meitantei Precure! turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Although it’s a show targeted at children, its sincere desire to captivate young viewers is charming enough to win over even those who are, unfortunately, only children at heart.
As the title suggests, the main theme of Meitantei Precure! is detective investigations. Destined to help locals who have lost something important, two heroines come to crack the case and catch the villains red-handed just in the right moment. Even though the mysteries are generally not all that intriguing, the show does something truly commendable – it doesn’t make the solutions painfully obvious, leaving room for viewers to naturally arrive at the answers alongside the characters through the clues. Curiously, the show is set in 1999, making one wonder how it will use elements of the bygone era to surprise a new generation.
The characters are nicely balanced. As one would expect, the heroines are sweet and cheerful, with aspirations worth admiring, while the villains have off-putting traits; yet neither group comes across as overbearing. Conversations are punctuated by light situational humour, which is delivered well enough to bring a smile to your face. Individual cuts, and particularly the transformation sequences, feature great animation; the Precure costume designs turned out to be quite beautiful; and the storyboarding, while not particularly subtle, is by no means lacking in substance.
Meitantei Precure! is a show with a positive vibe and excellent pacing; it’s easy to watch and can offer a meaningful experience if it matches your mood, even for its non-target audience; just don’t expect it to be something it isn’t.
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u/Hokaze-Junko – Consider It
Do you like coming-of-age stories about immature children? The characters are written with childlike qualities and flaws. Coco is always like :D, excited about learning the magic she has always wanted. But as a reckless novice, she gets manipulated easily and often ends up in dangerous situations. Still, she always pushes through with positivity. The show has some strong storytelling elements, especially in establishing Coco as a skilled tailor. That detail hints that magic is similar to handicraft, later revealed to be cast through drawing rather than something you are simply born with. It also suggests her familiarity with handiwork could translate into magic, which pays off in episode 3 when her skill helps her in a desperate situation. The motif is further expanded by linking it to her past with her mother, who taught Coco the craft, and that connection continues to push her forward. The magic system and its rules also don’t come off as generic, as the show gradually explains its components and how spells are built, you can understand how Qifrey (her sensei) levitates by tapping his shoes together, completing a magic circle split across them.
That same level of delicacy, however, is lacking in Agott’s characterization as Coco’s new roommate. While she does embody the elitist side of the magic community, contrasting with Coco, she has so far shown little depth beyond it, making her behavior feel less grounded and, at times, leaving her feeling like a bit of a vibe killer.
u/WaterDarke – Must Watch
As someone more familiar with the source material than most typical fans, Witch Hat Atelier’s anime adaptation has been highly awaited as the last of the big three fantasy to be adapted, following the successes of Frieren and Dungeon Meshi. But, due to Bug Film’s involvement as the animation studio, there was some concern regarding whether the production can hold up to both fan expectations and the intricacy and detail of the mangaka’s art, filled with incredible linework and hatching techniques. Based on the first four episodes, Witch Hat Atelier’s anime has so far met expectations and exceeded in some aspects.
It is easy to see that an immense amount of care has been put into this adaptation. From the stunning backgrounds, to the more detailed character designs than most, the Elden Ring composer’s score, and the fluid animation, there is a lot to like and enjoy. The mangaka’s direct involvement also helps with fleshing out this world as needed for the animation studio.
One of the adaptation’s changes from the source material includes a stronger emphasis on the main character’s relationship with her mother, which serves as her driving motivation. There are various anime-only scenes that showcase their bond in greater detail, honing on a more emotional payoff. But there is also somewhat of a cost of world-building details being removed from this adaptation as well.
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u/SiLeNTxTrYH4Rd – Drop It
It would be a lie to say that I enjoyed a single second of the premiere of Liar's Game. In fact, this is one of the most painful shows I've watched in quite a long time.
Liar's Game feels like a show that is stuck in the early 2000s, from its poor production, to its amateur showcasing of human psychology at work, and finally wrapping it all together with shallow characters and theming that is rooted in misogyny. The anime treats its main protagonist, Nao Kanzaki, as this helpless damsel in distress who can't possibly do anything to assist in her predicament. Instead she relies on an ex-convict, Shinichi Akiyama, to do anything and everything to help her to avoid becoming eternally bankrupt.
Now this isn't something new in anime, but there is a particular way that this show frames Kanzaki as being so honest to the point of stupidity that really gets under my skin. Liar's Game doesn't portray her kindness as the virtue that it should be, instead it weaponizes it to create this message of goodness is weakness and kindness will only be repaid by greed. There's really just a lack of any sort of nuance to be found, which makes this series that is supposed to be this tense psychological thriller into a lecture about how innocent naive women need a smart, cunning man to survive in the world.
By the end of the first arc, I was left wondering who this show is even for. If you're coming into this series blind, I can understand the appeal, but the execution is so clumsily done that it actively works against itself.
u/DoctorWhoops – Drop it
Within Liar Game’s two episode introductory arc lies a desperate struggle to find the balance you need in a ‘mind game’ show. A balance between believably clever ploys of human understanding, and master strokes of behavioural psychology that manipulate other players in ways that leaves the viewer in awe. This is a narrow line to walk, and Liar Game weaves around it wildly on either side without ever hitting that sweet spot.
It spends most of the runtime over-explaining human psychology, insisting that there is some complex web of knowledge that allows our ‘mastermind’ to predict exactly what will happen. On the surface this is paired with believable explanations, but pierce through that and ultimately the series feels like a writer poorly playing chess against themselves. While elements of a scheme can feel well established, ultimately they are never as seamless as we’re told they are. Naturally, things were going to work out for the protagonist anyway, but the show hinges on retroactive claims that the outcome was a predictable and inevitable consequence of human behaviour. If you consider these claims with any depth and it’s easy to see that things could have gone a completely different way. If anything it feels like the protagonist lucked out with the opponent’s responses, and the end result is vapid characters, unearned payoffs, and empty stakes. That said, this hollow ‘cleverness’ isn’t the only issue. So far, there’s no reason to believe the show has anything interesting to say about psychology or behavior; it’s just a tool to win a game. Add in shoddy production, uninspired designs, and bland imagery, and you’re left with a show that’s both flawed and bland.
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u/just1legend – Watch it
MarriageToxin follows Hikaru Gero, a member of the Poison Master family who regularly takes on assassination requests from wealthy clients like the Yakuza. He has to take on the hardest challenge of his life: marriage. Hikaru Gero, our main protagonist, has to marry someone in order to take the heir of the poison family or else his lesbian sister has to forcibly marry a person following the family’s guidelines. With the guidance of Mei Kinosaki, a marriage swindler, Gero tries to marry someone genuinely while keeping his professional work at his very best.
The show has some great storytelling beats. Gero is a recluse who focuses on his craft, and unfortunately, his craft did not require him to learn social skills. This character trait sets the stage for Gero to become a functional member of society, while still playing the role of a master assassin in his 9-5. That being said, the show might have trouble handling the role of Mei Kinosaki. Their unique meeting just felt out of place for that reveal in the first episode, even if it sets up the stakes and goals for our main characters for the series nicely. The action was a nice surprise as a way to break up the social slice of life situations that Gero has to face with Mei.
MarriageToxin is a good show, even though it’s central twist could make or break the enjoyment of the series.
u/SSjjlex – Watch It
At a first glance you'd think this is an action-romance anime just by the name. As far as action is concerned, this assumption is very spot on, with MarriageToxin featuring a cast with some pretty creative powers and fighting styles, all animated and presented beautifully.
Unfortunately I can't say the same about its romance. When you think “romance,” you think of two people slowly learning about each other and growing closer as the season progresses. However, with how the narrative is structured, there is a fundamental issue: there really is no room for that kind of development. Between the premise which requires Gero to find a suitable marriage partner to continue his family's bloodline, the reveal that [Episode 1] Kinosaki, his closest partner for the series, is actually a male, and the somewhat "Partner of the Week" format the series has presented so there's really no room for meaningful romantic growth.
However, once you overlook this, what you get is this really sweet action-comedy about a man learning how to express himself and communicate with women (Komi-san style). Additionally, each scene is littered with tiny gags and quirky characters, from small stuff like every guard on a ship wearing the same silly hat, to attending a shark party while wearing a shark costume, all to the tune of shark songs. MarriageToxin is in no short supply of these little gag moments, and it manages to balance these pretty well between its action.
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u/voidembracedwitch – Magic Grass GO! (Must Watch)
Needy Girl Overdose is nothing if not deranged in its exploration of the ways social media warps the lives of the women making up its core cast as well as its surreal visual storytelling. It constantly walks the line between pretentious and viscerally uncomfortable. The series' poster child KAngel exemplifies this perfectly through the contrast between her lofty, dreamlike monologuing in streams or interviews and Ame, the bipolar girl underneath the persona who barely manages to keep her career going with "help" from tons of sleeping pills. Ame's scenes hit particularly hard thanks to layers of symbolism from evoking the appearance of marionette strings to her heart beating with devotion to her ambiguous partner only known as P.
In truth, a lot of *Needy Girl'*s efficacy comes from the language its visuals and audio speaks. At just about every corner there's something elaborate or interesting to appreciate through the variety of techniques and iconography used. From a harsh 4:3 to 21:9 aspect ratio shift at a pivotal moment in a flashback to the third episode using piano renditions of KAngel songs to contextualize its message, the show adds easy to grasp substance to everything it serves you. Needy Girl is simply an intoxicating experience, one that even in a season as full of more polished anime as this spring manages to stand out.
Bless 🙏
u/Duckloader – Consider It
Blending the dreamlike aesthetics of vaporwave and yami-kawaii designs, Needy Girl Overdose is a surprisingly authentic and raw, if sardonic, look at internet culture of the past decade. Adapting (or perhaps more appropriately inspired by) the 2022 hit raising sim Needy Streamer Overload, the anime series makes large, but very necessary changes for a non-interactive medium. It massively expands the original cast of two to discuss the disparate experiences across the vast gamut of influencer fame, starting from Kache, a 200-follower student living with a feckless and abusive boyfriend, moving to her childhood friend and now rising star Michica who feels increasingly alien, and capping it off with the inescapable yet simultaneously enigmatic queen of fame, KAngel, whose crown weighs heavily on her head.
Being straight up, this is a series that will put uncomfortable material in your face—most of the cast is mentally unwell and in problematic relationships, both personally and with their parasocial audiences, while the experimental presentation can feel overwhelming and confusing. Though that comes across as a very deliberate choice, and if you’re a fan of studio Shaft classics like Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei and Bakemonogatari, I’d recommend checking it out just for the visual direction combining a familiar frenetic edit and extensive use of symbolic mixed media assets. Much like the direction, if you’re willing to buy into the bipolar personalities and tone of the series, it does look poised to deliver a poignant take on both the inspiring and harrowing sides of influencer culture and the people who shape it, which I’m excited to see.
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u/Mitsuyan_ – Consider It
Observation Log follows the pathway of a generic villainess show. Tia, the main villainess, is reincarnated into the Observation Log game having prior experience at playing it, using her knowledge to make informed predictions and create comedic scenarios.
Plot-wise, Observation Log is presently in a stereotypical cycle of events for a vilainness show. Tia is able to change the events of the game by unlocking paths that she was unable to unlock during her playthrough and revealing events ahead of time that cause shocks to the populace. The execution of the twists vary, but are often not particularly interesting. However, credit must be given to [Observation Log Episode 2] Bertia using her game knowledge to preemptively out a pedophile ring. When Observation Log is screwing one of the antagonists over, it handles it in a satisfying manner.
This leads into the main strength of this show: its comedy. The use of deadpan humour and the clash of the polar opposite personalities Cecil and Tia boast creates a number of funny moments. There is one thing that cannot be doubted about Observation Log – you will laugh at this show.
Ultimately, Observation Log stands as a generic villainness story that is well worth watching if you enjoy these shows. If you don’t like villainesses, you won’t get the full enjoyment out of it. You may also enjoy this if you enjoy comedy, but the rushed pacing can take away its substance.
u/lilyapd – Consider it
Fiancee Observation Diary is a series that is unquestionably in conversation with 2020’s ‘HameFura’ (made clearer by their original web novel publication dates of 2016 and 2015 respectively). The question that connection creates is whether or not the shift in perspective from the heroine to the male lead creates a distinction with a difference rather than one without.
Personally, I find Bertia a touch more charming than Katarina. Both are equally dense and as such are unable to conceptualise the world of this story as something that they can influence, but where Katarina’s denseness is something of an inexplicable flaw, Bertia has a little more intent behind hers. She does observe her actions making a difference, it’s just made clear that she’s rallying against whatever bad end she may rightfully fear is still on the table and yet that fear is obfuscated by us not having her perspective. By hiding that, the audience can’t really say that her actions are unnecessary until the point where it becomes undeniable that everything is going to work out.
Still, the eternal criticism of these series remains with this one as the male leads all seem to be as flat and wooden as ever. Even the Prince doesn’t gain much from us being in his head all the time. The ‘tortured genius amused by the novelty of the heroine’ gimmick is played very straight and I’m not so much a fan, even if Bertia’s earnestness is charming. More one for the fans than for the crowd but I’m in on this one.
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u/ValkyrieCain9 – Must Watch
Nippon Sangoku has one of the strongest first episodes I have seen in a long time, perhaps since Vinland Saga. The story is set in the not-so-distant future when all the socio-economic conflicts of our present time lead to a total collapse of society and (in the context of Japan) a regression to its pre-Meiji restoration days, where Japan has splintered into three nation states. This playing with the cycles of history is what makes the show really stand out, creating a world that is at once so new and old and yet oddly familiar, with elements of the medieval juxtaposed with the modern. Misumi’s strengths lie in his knowledge and understanding of these conflicting histories. I also appreciate how at times there is a levity and humour in the writing and animation which contrasts with the more violent scenes, creating this unnerving tension throughout the story. This is best seen in the villainous character of Taira, who commits horrible acts while maintaining this unbothered, “kawaii” demeanour. With the strength of the writing, animation and cast, I think this show is a must watch of the season.
u/Tehoncomingstorm97 – Must Watch
Nippon Sangoku was most definitely a surprise of this season, and for me it’s a ranking list topper early on in episodes airing, despite such a stacked season overall. While watching, at a surface level I am drawn to making comparisons with The Tatami Galaxy simply due to the pace of dialogue processing required – but it offers far more than a journey for the ideal college life.
The character design choices are striking, with bold outlines and bolder animation hearkening to the fluidity seen in works the aforementioned TTG as well as Ping Pong The Animation. However, there is significantly more rigidity in the designs which affirms the presentation of the resolute main character, Aoteru, who has a plan to make Japan the country he believes it can be – for the better.
Arising from a world of poverty and feudal control, well-suited backgrounds support theming in each and every scene – agrarian villages scraping by, slumrats and posses gatekeeping travelers, direct presentations of corrupt imperialistic and militant governments – where a tasteful colour palette and thoughtful scene composition expertly conveys information omitted from the voluminous dialogue, respecting the audience to figure out the missing details for themselves.
With three episodes watched, it’s clear that this show has a detail-oriented and well-planned narrative to present, and I am enjoying the visual treat alongside it.
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u/AnimeStuck – Watch It
Sometimes, it’s the simple things in life that really make your day, and this show is about as simple as things get. Cute maid eats Japanese food cutely. And I guess there’s the mildest of mild subplots around the mansion she used to serve collapsing and some other cast members, but we’ll spend about as much time here on that as the show does. What matters most with this show is the food and watching our titular Miss Maid eat it.
This show is not especially pretty or well produced. It is not particularly compelling with its narrative construction or characters. Nonetheless, I found myself endlessly engaged throughout each episode, enjoying watching Suzume learn about Japanese food. The episode would end, and I’d say to myself “Just one more…” like I’m eating chocolates, and before I know it, I’ve eaten the whole box. There’s cute little informative tidbits about each of the foods the episode focuses on. The show constructs little scenarios around each food, often involving Suzume meeting or interacting with other cast members, but sometimes just featuring her finding a food spot and learning about the food there. The show doesn’t linger on any particular dish for too long, allowing us to sample many in an episode before moving to the next one. This is pure fluff. The entirety of its substance is in seeing Suzume eating food and interacting with other characters. There is nothing else here for you. And it’s beautiful in that simplicity.
u/SSjjlex – Consider It
Ok, so hear me out. There's this cute maid, right? She goes around trying out all different kinds of food, and every time she eats something she blushes and says "Oishii!" with all these little sparkles all around her, and it's the cutest thing ever. Yeah, that's AOTS right there.
In all seriousness though, this is an exceedingly simple anime that does effectively just what I mentioned and nothing more. And so, 95% of the enjoyment that you get out of this will come from how cute you think Suzume is, and if you don't like Suzume or don't find food anime to be particularly interesting, then there really isn't much else for you in this anime. And to the rest of you who do enjoy this kind of stuff, well, let's just say that we'll be eating well with this series. Suzume is just so stupidly cute, and I could watch her stuff her face full of food all day long for all I care.
Beyond that, I do have some minor complaints like the relatively fast pacing of the series (they run through 4-6 different foods in an episode, each having very well-defined separate segments from each other) or its bird mascot that will occasionally interject to give small bits of food trivia that can really cut into the flow of the show. But if a simple show about a cute maid eating cute food while being all cute and shit is all you need, then this is the anime for you.
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u/LittleIslander – Watch It
Miyoshi Aimi is cringe. A tenth grader with an obsessive crush on a boy she’s never talked to, your enjoyment of the show will live or die on the question of whether you, like her best friend Sometani Nami, can’t get enough of watching the insane lengths of her feelings. Every episode brings a new serving of romantic delusions, questionable logic, insane dialogue, screenshot-worthy expressions, over the top voice acting, and, well, cringe.
Rather than lean all the way into the oddball comedy, however, the defining twist of Kirio Fan Club might be its surprisingly earnest side. We spend most of the screentime laughing at Aimi and Nami’s antics, but it doesn’t feel like we’re supposed to look down at their feelings. They’re the school weirdos, but we wouldn’t want them any other way. Transitions into serious moments about their feelings feel natural, and despite the silly setup the show has shown an interest in genuine progression. Rather than spin its wheels, their relationship to Kirio has already begun evolving, and the show has gradually inserted genuinely dramatic elements into the narrative. While it’s too easy to tell if the payoffs will match the intrigue, there’s plenty of potential if the show keeps playing its cards right.
Truthfully speaking, the show’s weirdness is probably an acquired taste. But when the show commits itself so unflinchingly to it, and creates something that will surely resonate so well with the right audiences, I can’t help give it anything lower than a recommendation.
u/Animestuck – Consider It
The best descriptor for Kirio Fan Club is “painful”. It’s worth clarifying that this is intentional. It revels in cringe comedy, showing off all the awkward facets of the teenage experience, often for comedic effect, pivoting this into serious dramatic moments which hit with surprising effectiveness. The comedy and drama flow perfectly into one another with little friction, which is an impressive feat. If you find yourself particularly interested in this style of comedy or invested in character drama, I would recommend this show.
There are factors which lead me not to recommend the show more broadly, however. While some of the point is enjoying and living in the little moments, episodes tend to drag on between nuggets of substance. The show is mostly fluff, in a way, but not fun fluff, due the style of comedy. I can certainly enjoy awkward cringe comedy at times, but most of the time, it fails to hit for me, cringe in a way which is gross or painful to watch. As a result, I spend much of the show bored and uncomfortable. Finally, the premise, while interesting as a scenario, largely consists of pining for someone from a distance. If I enjoyed the comedy more, I would not mind this, but most scenes consist of two characters talking about a guy who is not particularly well characterized. When looking beneath the surface, the show more specifically explores the nature of teenage relationships and the ways they experience them, and that’s a worthwhile thing to explore, but the surface-level experience of the show isn’t palatable.
u/Protractror – Drop It
Pardon the Intrusion, I’m Home! does not realize it is a horror anime. The story of a meek woman surrounded by mysterious men, leering in through the holes in her walls they made, makes you want to scream at the screen more than most slashers. “Don’t let him in!” I thought to myself often. “And if you do, you really don’t have to make waffles for him.”
If you can ignore how unsettling the premise is, there is charm to be found. I quite enjoyed our protagonist Rinko, the one being intruded on, and found her creatively expressive. And the weird web of lies that makes up the connections between our main trio does have potential for some fun jokes. However, by episode 3 the show is already pivoting to showcase all of the “whacky” artists who live in this “famous” building and it just feels like the show lacks confidence in its main trio to carry a compelling story. It’s not like Rinko and her two problematic hunks are that compelling together, but they’re certainly not going to be if we are already switching focus onto a bunch of half baked tropes.
But you know what they say. Opinions are like holes in your apartment walls. Everyone’s got one, or maybe even two. But if you want mine, save your time and go watch something else.
u/Mitsuyan_ – Drop It
For an anime to succeed it needs any kind of substance. Pardon The Intrusion has nothing of the sort. To its credit, its initial premise promised a fun comedy revolving around the dynamics between the neighbours but ultimately fell flat within the first few minutes. The jokes are rarely funny here, there is no attempt at nuanced comedy and worst of all for a comedy it isn’t even engaging.
Despite initially promising to be a comedy only revolving around three people, the otaku Rinko and her polar opposites Akito and Haruma, they are still undeveloped by the time side characters are introduced. That’s right, there’s a six-strong cast by the end of Episode 3 and it still feels bloated.
Pardon The Intrusion gives the viewer no reason to watch it and even less reason to stay. Don’t bother.
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