Jeoffrey

These are like little bits and fragments from the original manga that didn't quite make the cut for the anime adaptation. Yet, they've been expertly woven together into individual episodes, each following a common theme. This addition to the original series maintains its quality; it had me laughing heartily, it felt pleasantly realistic at times, and delightfully quirky at others. It's still that wonderful, heartwarming romance that I adore. Once again, the animation and music are executed excellently. For me, much like the original Horimiya, these 'missing parts' also deserve a solid 9/10.

The main character gets dropped into this world from slime, and while he's not the most overpowered guy among the generic isekai heroes, he still manages to outshine them all with his unique skill. The author seems to have a soft spot for him, so he has everything dropped on a silver platter. No, scratch that, it gets even more absurd... Ryota has this ability to get bigger drops than anyone else, turning ordinary encounters into a jackpot. Where a regular adventurer gets a bamboo sprout dropped from a monster, Ryota gets ten, instead of a regular carrot, he gets Bonduelle quality, and while a regular person drops just shit into the toilet every morning, Ryota drops golden eggs....(Ok, I might have made up the last one). It's like he's living in a world where the loot is customized just for him. And if that weren't enough, suddenly there's a dungeon where only he gets things from monsters, and he's the sole recipient of items after a monster attack on the town. It's like the author is going out of his way to make Ryota seem super special, but it comes off as absurd. And all of this at level one! The obsession with levels in Japanese storytelling reaches new heights here, as they keep emphasizing how great Ryota is because he's only level one and yet can do all of these amazing things. It's like they're setting him up for an even more incredible power-up when he eventually reaches level two. It's ridiculous, really. Moreover, the characters are just one-dimensional clichés, at least the ones I've encountered so far. I'm not one to waste my time on something so predictable. I can see where it's all headed — the hero will keep getting more exaggerated rewards, a harem will inevitably form around him, and they'll keep reminding us that Ryota is still at level one - Wow! Isn't he amazing? I haven't seen something so dumb and lazily written in a long time. Maybe there's some depth to the story buried somewhere, but if it couldn't hook me in the first three episodes, I doubt it's worth sticking around to find out. Since I have a knack for spotting bad anime and dropping it within three episodes, I decided to bail out early. It's not worth the risk of losing more brain cells over. I'm giving it a generous 2/10 and dropping it after three episodes— one point for the animation and the other for the bunny girl who reminded me that my Playboy subscription has expired. I had initially considered a 3/10, but the more I think about it, the more it irks me, so there you have it.

Sugar Apple Fairy Tale lives up to its name as a charming fairy tale. It does touch on deeper themes like prejudice and slavery, and it doesn't shy away from blood with some grittier moments adding a layer of complexity to the narrative; however, at its core, it's a heartwarming story about a girl overcoming challenges with the help of a cool elf prince. It's clear that the target audience is younger, and as a seasoned viewer pushing forty, I might not be the prime demographic. Yet, I found myself enjoying the series nonetheless. I rooted for the main character's success in both her work and love life, appreciating her determination and kindness. I was also intrigued by the lore surrounding fairies — how they came into existence and their history. However, the constant focus on baking sweets didn't quite captivate me. While the series attempted to showcase the power of kindness through sweets, it fell a bit flat for me. I found myself wishing for more exploration of the fairy uprising and other compelling storylines. Despite this, the animation was pleasant, and the music added to the overall ambiance. While the first half of the series felt somewhat predictable, the latter half picked up momentum, keeping me engaged. Even as I reflect on it now, I'm torn between a weak 4-star or a strong 3-star rating. After some deliberation and comparison with other anime shows I've seen, I settled on a rating of 6.4/10.

I was eagerly anticipating the second season after the gripping finale of the first, and I'm pleased to say it lived up to all my expectations. The battles in this season were some of the best I've seen in anime, particularly the ones without weapons. The drama was intense, especially in the portrayal of a family tragedy that felt raw and incredibly realistic, sending chills down my spine. The finale was nothing short of breathtaking, with well-chosen music enhancing every scene. The series showcased incredible creativity throughout, even in the ninth episode, which some may consider weaker. Personally, I found it to be a brilliant display of innovative storytelling techniques. I appreciated how the opening reflected the essence of the entire series. While one storyline reached a conclusion, the creators left two significant hooks that left me eagerly awaiting more episodes. They clearly know how to craft an engaging atmosphere and captivate viewers. While I initially felt the second season wasn't as strong as the first, particularly missing the multiple storylines, these were minor quibbles in the grand scheme of things. The almost perfect impression I have now after the last episode easily warrants a rating of 9.5/10.

After watching the final episode today, I was considering a four-star rating. It's refreshing to see a hero who isn't an overpowered protagonist from the get-go, one who doesn't defeat everyone with a wave of a magic wand. Luciel truly earns everything he gains; the entire first season depicts the 4 years the hero spends in the new world, so his growth doesn't happen overnight. He's constantly training and improving throughout, yet in the end, he still can't defeat his master, leaving room for further development. Everything unfolds believably over a significant period, making sense in many ways, with several interesting storylines that make me want to continue with the series. Moreover, Luciel is quite likable; he possesses a well-defined moral compass, making it easy to root for him. I also found myself drawn to other characters, particularly Brodo, but also Cattleya and Rumina. However, the main reason why the series falls short of 4 stars is its humor, which simply didn't resonate with me. It felt silly, repetitive (enough with the substance x jokes and Maso-zombies), and cringe-worthy at times. The series could have done without the whole substance x subplot, as it seemed like a cheap ploy to boost the main character, something I felt he didn't need. Humor is subjective, but when it doesn't align with your tastes, it can significantly impact the viewing experience. Unfortunately, this was the case for me, leading to a rating of 6.4/10.

I feel like I've seen all the anime centered around villainesses, at least since the days of Bakarina, so I have a lot to compare this to. While I wouldn't consider myself an expert on the subject like Buba is on schrimps, I've definitely seen my fair share. Unfortunately, out of all the villainess-themed series I've watched, this one comes off as the dullest. What's missing for me is a deeper background plot — something to hook me in and make me want to keep watching. The series seems to hammer home one message: "If you don't do bad things, you won't become a villain!" What depth! Who would've thought? Perhaps if there was more focus on the fact that the heroine has limited time before her bad self, the real villainess, takes control again, I might be more invested. As it stands, Ivy's constant talk about destroying the kingdom lacks conviction, especially when the series repeats the same moral lesson over and over. The occasional glimpses into Ivy's role as the real villainess in the game don't add to the overall experience for me. Instead, they detract from it. While Ivy makes for a likable heroine in her own right — intelligent, kind, and patient — making it easy for me to root for her. While some of the supporting characters show gradual development, others like Tiara come across as rather one-dimensional, considering her role as the game's heroine. On a positive note, the music is commendable. The opening theme and accompanying songs are memorable and well-executed. While I can see how some fans might enjoy the series for its atmosphere and the novelty of someone consistently doing good, it didn't quite hit the mark for me. To me, it's just another average anime of the season that I finished without much impact. It didn't leave much of an impression on me, so I'll likely forget about it soon enough. 5/10.

It's a lovely modern Japanese take on Cinderella, where the heroine blossoms into beauty upon meeting her prince. Or is it a shallow tale of a tearful girl bullied by everyone, crying her way through the story only to find bits of courage by the end? It might be a bit of both. If someone had told me halfway through that I would be undecided on the final score until the last episode, I would have laughed. The first half had me hooked; I enjoyed the plot and felt a satisfying resolution by the sixth episode. I anticipated our heroine's growth and hoped to grow fond of her. However, the second half brought hesitation, tears, uncertainty, and misunderstandings, becoming downright mind-numbing. I realized it was steeped in tearful drama and pseudo-conflicts. The main characters started to grate on my nerves, and I found myself less invested in their fates. The story of Miyo's past, which seemed promising initially, paled in comparison to the first half (which may be a generic Cinderella story but it's a heartfelt adaptation). I almost skipped the last episode, but it managed to redeem the series for me. Miyo finally found herself, faced her challenges, and despite the overwhelming tears, some moments resonated. One indisputable strength is the gorgeous animation, adding points to the series. The chosen music and the period setting were also highlights, along with the incorporation of supernatural elements. It's a weak 4 stars after the first season, or rather a 6.8/10.

For me, this was definitely the most entertaining and action-packed part of the series, building on the momentum from the previous seasons. There's never a dull moment here; the plot keeps you on the edge with big and sometimes downright crazy twists in practically every episode. Even though the members of the Detective Agency seem to have an almost unbelievable plot armor, there are still moments where you genuinely fear for their safety. The story reaches a climax at the end of the tenth episode, where the desperation is almost palpable. I was thoroughly engaged throughout, especially during the intense "escape game" between Dazai and Fyodor, which was brilliantly done. The motivations of the main villains were intriguing, even if what one of them did felt reminiscent of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion. Simply put, I have no complaints. I eagerly looked forward to each new episode, and several twists caught me completely off guard (some so much that I wondered if the creators were pushing the limits). As a fan of unpredictability, when an action series refuses to let me catch my breath and maintains its style and cool factor, I have to give credit where it's due. That's why the fifth season earns a solid 5 stars from me. Even my apprehension about what might come next after the resolution of the drama was perfectly soothed by the final scene. I'm eagerly anticipating the sixth season. 8.8/10

When I first heard about the series featuring a guy reincarnating as a vending machine, I couldn't help but find the idea utterly ridiculous. Yet, it piqued my curiosity, compelling me to give it a watch. I was prepared to chuckle at its absurdity and write about how silly it was, but... To my surprise, the series turned out to be relatively normal, and at times, even a bit mundane. What intrigued me the most wasn't the original concept itself, but rather the inventive ways the show explored all the things vending machines are used for in Japan. I found it amusing to see how the authors stretched the boundaries of what qualifies as a vending machine. I must give credit to the series for its creative approach in handling the protagonist's transformations into various vending machines to tackle different problems. It was surprisingly logical at times, adding a layer of believability to the otherwise fantastical premise. Moreover, the characters are quite likable, including our vending machine protagonist. The overall atmosphere is pleasant, and the world-building offers some intriguing elements here and there. While I'm not opposed to watching the second season, I can't say the first one fully captivated me. It was enjoyable enough, but it didn't have me eagerly anticipating each episode. I'll give it a slightly above-average rating of 6/10.

I found the second season to be slightly more engaging and enjoyable compared to the first. I appreciate the direction the protagonist is taking and the development of his character. The central romantic storyline no longer feels forced, and I'm beginning to root for the heroes. However, the fights are still somewhat bland by anime standards, the villains fail to instill fear, and someone should explain to the local musical instruments that rock is not anarchy. Despite these shortcomings, I'm gradually becoming curious about what will happen next, which marks progress, albeit small. 5.7/10.