Jeoffrey

The second season of The Eminence in Shadow doesn't hold back on the entertainment factor — or should I say, the madness factor — and remains just as engaging as the first season, as long as you're not expecting anything to be taken deadly seriously. To me, this series epitomizes the rule of cool taken to the extreme, bordering on cringe, but the good kind — the kind that's ripe for poking fun at. Right from the start, when the main protagonist runs around the city, popping up at precisely the right moment to deliver a line in that deep voice, you'll know if this series is up your alley. The second part, however, was a pleasant surprise because, for once, it felt like we were delving into a plot that genuinely portrays Cid as the true mastermind behind the scenes, secretly pulling the strings of all the events. The storyline involving fake money and John Smith amused me the most out of the entire series, even if it mainly followed the rules for effect and the main protagonist merely pretended to have everything under control, taking cues from the likes of Overlord. But the reality is different... Then we have the swimsuit special, supposedly penned by the author himself as a bit of fan service for viewers. Is it unnecessary? Perhaps. But every good anime with multiple heroines needs a swimsuit episode — or in other words, sometimes amidst all the action, it's essential to take a breather and blow off some steam. And when it seamlessly fits the overall tone of the series, carries on from the previous episode, and gives some characters a bit of development... Well, I won't cry dragon tears over one episode. The finale itself is fantastic; my favorite villain from the first season, Doem Ketsuhat, returns, hilariously dubbed "Perv Asshat" in the English subtitles — a naming choice I consider both the best and the laziest I've ever seen. And the ultimate showdown? It's a thrilling battle with a stunning atomic finish and a twist that, as an anime-only fan, I never saw coming, leaving me incredibly hyped for The Eminence in Shadow: Lost Echoes. I thoroughly enjoyed it... 8/10.

There's a notable distinction between a five-year-old child being naughty and adults being naughty... In this series, the naughtiness mostly falls into the former category. So if you're expecting the main characters to do anything other than gobble up sweets at ten in the evening, you're in for a surprise! The humor here tends to lean toward the childish side, but every now and then, it throws in a completely absurd joke that'll have you laughing out loud — I found myself in stitches several times. In short, there are moments when it really hits the mark and entertains. I particularly enjoyed the first few episodes, when the main duo were finding their way to each other —i t had a charmingly romantic vibe with all their "naughtiness" and the occasional comedic bombshell. But then, the main hero's sister entered the scene, and things took a turn toward a pseudo-funny farce, chock-full of predictable twists and clichés, causing my impression of the series to plummet toward mediocrity. Even the introduction of new characters failed to inject any freshness into the mix. The series had to rely on its final stretch to salvage my interest, particularly with the endearing storyline surrounding the main heroine's sister, whose conclusion was heartfelt. Even the last episode was fairly well executed, though disappointingly, the long-awaited beautiful moment between the main duo unfolded exactly as expected. So, while I enjoyed the beginning and the end, much of what transpired in between felt like your average anime. However, I'm aware of at least two people who really savored this series — Tomokazu Sugita and Saori Hayami. The voice actors portraying the main couple delivered stellar performances, showcasing not just their immense experience but also their evident enjoyment in the dubbing process. Thanks to them, I instantly connected with the main duo, viewing them as genuinely likable and entertaining characters. Because of this, I find myself invested in their future, and if there is a second season, count me in. 6/10.

I'm torn about giving Helck 4 stars considering the series just doesn't fully click with me. The hero is a standout character, and his relationship with Vermilio is truly engaging, but beyond that, there's little that grabs my attention. Visually and musically, it strikes me as average, with battles that feel bland and lackluster. The pacing is another issue; the series seems to stumble in some areas while rushing through others, leaving certain parts feeling underdeveloped. The blend of drama and comedy also falls short for me. At times, these elements clash awkwardly, and the creators struggle to evoke the intended mood. Yet, amidst these shortcomings, I can't help but sense hidden potential. I wonder what a more skilled team with a larger budget could achieve with this premise. Additionally, I'm curious to see how the story will conclude, which might make me give a potential second season a chance. However, I'm also considering exploring the manga, as it might work better for me. To sum up, Helck has the potential to be great, but many aspects strike me as average, and there are moments where things just don't quite click. While I'd like to award it 4 stars, even if they'd be generous, it ultimately falls closer to a 6/10 for me.

I still have fond memories of the first season, particularly enjoying the main couple, so naturally, I anticipated a similar experience with the second season. To my dismay, however, the initial half left me feeling underwhelmed. The storyline involving the prince from another kingdom failed to captivate me, leading me to question what had initially drawn me to the series over two years ago. While the main heroine remained charming, and the gentle fairy tale ambiance persisted, it just didn't hit the mark. It certainly wasn't deserving of an 8/10 rating — the first half of the second season felt like a six at best... What was missing, you ask? Romance! Who would've thought... It wasn't until the series delved into Sei's plans after finishing her work that I found myself re-engaging. Suddenly, there was a spark, and I savored the interactions between her and Albert as they were trying to figure each other out. Riding this relatively pleasant wave of fairy tale romance, I got to a sweet and colorful ending. Admittedly, it could have been better; the path toward it could have been more elaborate — I'd even sacrifice the entire first half for that. The colors in the finale could have been less muted, the music more poignant. Yet, despite these shortcomings, it managed to tug at my heartstrings, leaving me feeling content and slightly moved. However, you can't argue with math. When the first half rates a six and the second an eight, the overall score lands at a 7/10.

I have two significant gripes with I’m in Love with the Villainess, which ultimately hold me back from giving it a better rating than 3 stars. Firstly, I'm not a fan of romantic comedies built on the premise of one character relentlessly pursuing another who isn't exactly enthusiastic about it at first but eventually caves in or realizes they have feelings for the pursuer. I've experienced this dynamic from both sides, and neither memory is particularly fond. Back when I was sixteen, I found myself crazily chasing after a girl — I look back now and cringe at how annoying I must have been. Later in life, I had someone relentlessly pursue me, bombarding me with dozens of text messages daily and showing up at my workplace with romantic confessions, despite my lack of interest. Simply put, this approach makes me uncomfortable, and unfortunately, it's a significant aspect of the series, relied upon for a good portion of its humor. The narrative suggests that rejecting someone outright isn't fair because you never know how you'd feel if you were in their shoes. Personally, I believe in honesty and firmly turning someone down if I'm not interested, as it allows them to move on and find someone who is right for them. On the other hand, maybe this is why the persistent heroine eventually triumphs, unlike Jeoffrey. The second issue I had was with the unfortunate subplot involving the love between a maid and her brother. While small, it was unpleasant, positioning incest as a form of tragic forbidden love. While the series may suggest sympathy for the siblings, I vehemently disagree with that notion. As for the question, "Jeoffrey, what do you have against incest?" Well, for one, I have siblings myself, which should suffice as an explanation — most people in similar situations would understand. Secondly, I paid attention in biology class, learning about the genetic implications of incest. Thirdly, history lessons taught me about the consequences of incest for some noble families. And fourthly, I'm not from Alabama... But enough about what didn't sit well with me; let's focus on the positives. I appreciated how the series portrays love, no hiding or hints, the main heroine proudly and openly embraces it. The energy and pace of the series were also commendable. Furthermore, the concept of disregarding the main paths within a visual novel and forging your own way, with a villainess, is both entertaining and original. If the dynamic between the main characters had been portrayed differently to be less intrusive, and if a certain storyline had been omitted, I might have rated it higher — maybe even significantly higher. But as it stands, it's a 6/10 for me.

Shy, AKA Bocchi no Hero Madoka Magica, follows the journey of a timid heroine who confronts the darkness lurking within human hearts. While the portrayal of the heroine's shyness isn't entirely lacking, it fails to truly captivate or endear me as a viewer or root for Teru/Shy. Despite this, it's still somewhat enjoyable to witness her gradual growth and struggles. On the heroic front, the series offers an interesting blend of classic comic book heroes, mahou shoujo, and perhaps even a hint of super sentai. However, this fusion doesn't quite hit the mark—it comes off as rather peculiar and fails to fully engage or compel. The exploration of battling darkness within the human heart is executed reasonably well, particularly evident in Pepesha's arc in the second half. Visually, there's evident effort, though the inspiration behind it is clear. While the story initially left me lukewarm, it gained momentum in the second half, becoming more enjoyable and leaving me genuinely curious about the upcoming second season. In terms of characters, I found the antagonists more intriguing, with their unique qualities standing out (I had a similar experience watching D.Gray-man). Yet, I also managed to find favorites among the heroes, despite one being an alcoholic and the other a bit of a tsundere. Overall, Shy is a decent show in my book, earning a solid 3 stars or rather 6.3/10.

A series centered around a 38-year-old guy diving into the gaming world? As someone close to the protagonist's age, I was hoping for a gaming show I could finally relate to. Well, not quite. The age of the main character doesn't seem to matter much, as he goes for a typical teenage boy avatar. The only hint of his real age? He's a dull boomer. He starts playing an MMO game, where his claim to fame is simply not being a complete idiot like most players. He takes up crafting, which, yeah, is crucial in MMORPGs, but apparently not common knowledge among other gamers in this world. And this show won't let you forget it, with endless crafting sequences and the hero's "game-changing" items, like skates with side blades to give extra damage. It sounds ridiculous because it is. When crafting isn't hogging the spotlight, we're treated to basic game mechanics, a bland world, and events I wouldn't want to play just like I wouldn't want to have "Fairy-playah" written above my head. Oh, and the hero's other "superpower"? Everyone around him acts like an idiot. Honestly, this show is the epitome of boredom and stupidity. The main hero? Bland. The story? Predictable. It feels like it's aimed at kindergarteners, not seasoned gamers. Animation and music? Nothing to write home about. Compared to Shangri-La Frontier, which nails the gaming world, this one falls flat. I bailed after the fourth episode, and honestly, I should've quit sooner. Maybe it gets better, but I'm not sticking around to find out. Watching the hero collect girls such as the Fairy Queen and turn them into a generic harem admiring Earth (even his nickname is terrible) and his skates? No thanks. It's a hard pass from me, with a 3/10 rating, though I can't remember what for and I don't feel like remembering.

A whimsical slice of life, following cute girls and boys as they goof around in art class with a few lessons about art sprinkled along the way. The humor is hit or miss, sometimes hitting the mark, other times leaving you scratching your head. Overall, the sketches vary in quality, with some being genuinely enjoyable and original, while others fall flat and deal with dull things. I found myself drawn to characters like Mijabi, Miki, and the teacher, Usami. However, they're a familiar bunch you've likely encountered in similar series before. While the show does everything decently, there's always another series that does it better. That said, it's still charming, cute, and occasionally hilarious. On those cloudy winter evenings, it served its purpose well — entertaining me, lifting my spirits, and delivering a few laughs. It didn't blow me away in any particular aspect, but it did its job, and I appreciate that. 6.7/10.

Hiromu Arakawa did it again! The author of the manga that inspired what many consider the best anime of all time — according to MAL, at least—has now crafted one of the finest short anime series in recent years, and it's all about "funny farm stories" narrated by a "cow." Hiromu Arakawa's knows her stuff, she knows how to captivate and entertain the audience with her stories. Alongside the humor, you also get to learn a few things about farm life and Japanese agriculture, making it an enlightening experience that may even deepen your appreciation for food. It's witty, it's charming, it's informative, and it's bite-sized — what more could you ask for? If it weren't for the slightly out-of-place sci-fi episode at the end, which I found a tad ridiculous, I'd readily award this series a perfect score and hail it as one of the season's highlights. But still a solid 9/10.

While I've never been much of a car enthusiast, Formula 1 holds a special place in my memories. As a kid, my dad and I would frequent the local pub every Sunday, alternating between watching Moto GP and F1 races. Those were the days of Michael Schumacher and Mika Häkkinen, and I still recall some of the "wise words" of the commentator like "One thing is to catch up with the racer, another is to overtake him..." Thanks to those experiences, I entered into Overtake! with some familiarity with Formula 1. The series faithfully captured the electric atmosphere surrounding the races, mentioning intriguing aspects of racing such as tire types, slipstream driving, and important rules like the yellow flag and warm-up lap. The cockpit shots felt authentic, reminiscent of what I witnessed during those TV broadcasts. Even though I'm not typically a fan of 3D CGI animation, the models of the Formula cars were impressively executed, capturing their movements with precision. The roaring sound of the cars transported me back to those race days, hitting the mark with their engine noises. The depiction of the race teams and the individuals involved in the sport felt genuine, delving into personal struggles and dramas that added depth to the narrative. While at times I wished for more racing action, particularly of the quality showcased in the final episode, the human dramas proved engaging and complemented the overall story well. I debated between a strong 3-star rating and a weak 4-star, but the thrilling F4 race in the last episode tipped the scales towards the higher rating. Ultimately, Overtake! earns a solid 6.8/10 from me.