Jeoffrey

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.

Ramen Akaneko sounds ridiculous on paper—cats cooking ramen? Plus, it doesn’t have the best visuals, and you can tell they were cutting corners on the animation budget. There’s a mix of traditional 2D and some obvious 3D models during movement, which isn’t the smoothest. So yeah, the premise is silly, and the animation is nothing to write home about. But honestly? I really enjoyed it. Why? Because there are a few key things that tip the scales in its favor. For starters, the opening and ending songs are surprisingly catchy—so much so that I never skipped them. Then there’s the stellar voice cast, with veterans like Kenjirou Tsuda, Rie Kugimiya, and Noriaki Sugiyama bringing their A-game. Their performances really shine, adding a layer of charm that elevates the whole experience. The short, sweet episodes touch on surprisingly relatable themes, and for a show about cats, it feels very human. The vibe is just really cozy, and it’s the kind of series that knows exactly what it wants to be. Every Thursday night, I found myself relaxing to its warm and comforting stories, almost like the anime equivalent of a soothing bowl of ramen. And okay, maybe being more of a "cat person" myself played a role, but watching these adorable feline chefs had a calming effect on me. I’d almost place Ramen Akaneko in the iyashikei genre for how soothing it was. All in all, I was happy with it—though I can totally see how it’s not for everyone. It’s a quirky, low-stakes show that you either vibe with or you don’t. But if you’re willing to buy into the premise of cats cooking ramen, it’s a charming little watch. 7/10.