Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World – Episode 1
Our Last Crusade feels more like an MMO world that refuses to admit it’s just the Light Novel author’s MMO fanfiction.
Our Last Crusade feels more like an MMO world that refuses to admit it’s just the Light Novel author’s MMO fanfiction.
It’s not a terrible premiere, but it felt like the series was more interested in throwing us into the chaotic world of Ikebukuro without establishing why we should care about any of these characters.
Yes, Moriarty the Patriot is terribly competent, and that is its greatest failing.
Caught between insomnia and boredom, Princess Syalis takes on crafting projects to improve her life in little ways and help her pass each day. We’ve had some Peak 2020 anime this year in the form of post-apocalyptic hellscapes, but folks? Sleepy Princess might be the most relatable yet.
Iwa Kakeru follows one girls’ foray into rock climbing, and honestly? Well…it doesn’t rock, but hey: it’s still an okay watch with some potential.
Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina answers the question, “What if Kino’s Journey was magical?” with a beautiful and endearing premier about a girl who wants to become a travelling witch.
I have a tricky situation on my hands here, gang: as a reviewer, I want to give you as much information as possible to pique your interest and get you to check this show out if you think it sounds fun. However, the really intriguing factors are all woven into a twist that only rears its head in the final moments of the episode.
When you have an isekai show so aggressively by the numbers, even the cast points out it’s all just a cliche, you can’t help but wonder if this is a covert call for help from the production staff at Maho Film.
The frame narrative that bookends the episode introduces us to an entirely set of new characters who are color-coded like the original cast but otherwise presented to be accessible to a new audience. And then the middle twelve minutes or so of the episode is a good ol’ game of “Hey kids, remember Inuyasha?” To which my answer is a hearty, “boy, do I!”
TONIKAWA: Over the Moon For You skips dating and heads straight to marriage in a solid first episode that promises more as the story develops.
Though not entirely free of pro-military political messaging, this is overall an entertaining premiere about four ace pilots fighting to save the earth.
I never watched the original Dragon Quest in the early 1990’s so the nostalgia factor is completely lost on me, but so far it’s a fun show.
“Oh boy,” I thought as soon as the dark elf showed up and the townspeople all demanded that the knights kick him out of the city, “Fantasy Racism. What could possibly go wrong?”
I’m definitely interested in seeing how the show will handle the psychological introspection Yuji will have with his new inner demon, but until then, let’s wait and see.
I cannot tell you how refreshing it is just to come across a video game isekai that’s willing to let its newbie heroes suck at their job rather than automatically being level 99 death machines.
Hypnosis Mic’s premiere exists in a world where women are either fascists, damsels, or fangirls, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. It’s a good thing, then, that it’s also absolute nonsense.
Assault Lily: Bouquet certainly has a fun, tried-and-true concept up its sleeve. The question will be whether or not it can power its engine on Cool Factor alone.
Higurashi NEW is an almost absurdly faithful remake of the 2006 series’ first episode, from the scenes to the music, with a new coat of paint on top. Its comedy segments can be a tough sit, but its atmospheric ending still has the punch to hook you into its conspiracy. If it keeps being so faithful it’s going to hit some poorly aged bits, but it’s too soon to tell on that front.
As someone who’s only ever known PreCure by reputation and the occasional Twitter GIF, I was extremely curious to see how the series plays for a newcomer who’s also thoroughly outside the target age range. And the answer is…pretty (heh) good, honestly.
A small-time con-artist, Makoto Edamura meets a charismatic Frenchman named Laurent Thierry and together they travel the world living a life of thievery.