Extreme Hearts – Episode 1
The sci-fi setup and superpowered sporting element help Extreme Hearts to stand out. That being said, its combination of genres may lead to a narrative identity crisis that the writing can’t quite support.
Posts by Alex Henderson
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When Will Ayumu Make His Move? – Episode 1
Because it can’t convincingly answer the question “Well, why DON’T they just tell each other how they feel?”, it comes off contrived and dull.
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My Isekai Life: I Gained a Second Character Class and Became the Strongest Sage in the World! – Episode 1
It’s competent. It’s fine. It’s nothing to write home about, unless you want to report on the familiar patterns emerging.
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League of Nations Air Force Aviation Magic Band Luminous Witches – Episode 1
In 1969, Edwin Starr asked “war! What is it good for?” His answer, in the next line of the song, was “absolutely nothing.” Many years later, an alternate answer might be “speculative fiction anime starring pretty young women.”
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TEPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Laughing ’til You Cry – Episode 1
As the fifteen exclamation points in the title might imply, Teppen has ENERGY!
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Lycoris Recoil – Episode 1
As fiction has told us for many years, no one makes a better assassin than a sixteen-year-old girl.
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Queer resonance and critiquing heteronormativity in SPY x FAMILY
Spy x Family is a great example of how a story might have queer resonances and queer themes even if it cannot be classed as queer fiction.
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Don’t Hurt Me, My Healer! – Episode 1
I think how you feel about this premiere will largely depend on a few things: how you feel about the “two characters who don’t really like each other get handcuffed together and must go on an adventure” trope (magical edition), how you feel about goofy fantasy comedy, and how you feel about Carla.
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BIRDIE WING – Golf Girls Story – Episode 1
If you want a woman-led sports anime that makes you ask “what the hell is going on?” at least once every five minutes, consider checking out BIRDIE WING.
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Healer Girl – Episode 1
There’s something nice about the idea that an artform like song can have physical, literal healing powers—maybe that’s the vibe the series itself is going for. A little bit of simple, yet effective, emotional healing against the backdrop of the world, perhaps.
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Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs – Episode 1
Trapped in a Dating Sim offers some potentially interesting ideas but is helmed by a disagreeable protagonist and, through him, a general sense of disdain for the genre it’s supposedly inhabiting.
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Fanfare of Adolescence – Episode 1
Even if there’s something kinda funny about seeing realistically-rendered horses next to stylized anime humans, the aesthetic of the show overall is really nice.
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Thermae Romae Novae – Episode 1
If it can get back to business and commit to being silly, Novae might hit its stride. But aside from offering me an artistic glimpse into the ancient world, this premiere hasn’t done much.
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Aharen-san wa Hakarenai – Episode 1
When they go to a games arcade after school and Aharen smushes her chubby cheeks up against the glass of a crane game machine, it looks more like Raido is babysitting a young relative rather than… setting up the initial character beats of a rom-com. I hope I don’t have to explain why that’s an issue!
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Kotaro Lives Alone – Episode 1
As an initial vibe check, I’d describe Kotaro Lives Alone as “deeply odd, but potentially (???) charming”.
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The Orbital Children’s Rejection of Ecofascist Ideas
The Orbital Children rejects the ecofascist idea that humans need to be controlled and culled in the name of someone’s idea of “humanity” and demands we imagine a better future that everyone gets to be a part of.
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Delicious Party Pretty Cure – Episode 1
o a certain extent, what can I say? It’s PreCure. It’s adorable. It’s charming. It’s some colorful easy fun for tired adults and energetic children alike. But hang tight, reader, because there are a couple of aspects to this series that I want to talk about in more detail.
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The Orbital Children – Episode 1
This introduction paints a dazzling but grim picture of a not-too-far-flung sci-fi future.
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The Genius Prince’s Guide to Raising a Nation Out of Debt – Episode 1
Do you want to watch a show about an insufferable young man born into money, scheming to make more money, stumbling into success and being lauded as a tactical genius?
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Futsal Boys!!!!! – Episode 1
If you’re not a sports anime fan, it probably doesn’t have enough pizzazz to win you over. If you’re already a sports anime fan, you can probably already recommend six other shows that you’d rather be watching.
