Jeoffrey

I must say, I quite enjoyed this series. From the very first episode, the excellent animation got me hooked. The way the creators played with light and shadow was impressive, setting the stage for the introduction of Prince Arnold in a manner that commanded both respect and a hint of fear. As the series unfolded, I found myself growing attached to the main heroine. The concept of a time loop and her six previous lives felt like a fresh and intriguing premise. I was eager to see how she would navigate her current story with the wealth of experiences from her past lives. And I have to say, the series delivered on this front. She cleverly utilized her history and knowledge throughout the storyline. Arnold's fascination with the main heroine totally makes sense. She's not the kind of woman you'd get bored with; she's full of surprises. It's easy to see why she keeps him intrigued, and it's a quality that impresses many. The dynamic between the main couple was a highlight for me. Their playful teasing added a charming layer to their interactions. Watching the cool and pragmatic prince undergo subtle changes, all while trying to maintain his facade, was fascinating. Similarly, witnessing Rishe's evolving relationship with the prince and her goals for this new life kept me engaged. Overall, it's a very good and quite interesting series that kept me entertained. Although I must admit, I'm puzzled by the use of "villainess" in the title. From what I've seen so far, the main heroine has never been a villainess... 7.5/10

The best anime about a disabled girl still remains A Silent Voice and the best romance of this anime season is the second season of The Dangers in My Heart, however, Yubisaki to Renren still stands out as a remarkable anime romance with beautiful animation, captivating music, and a truly charming and adorable main heroine. Even the main hero is intriguing and refreshingly unique by the standards of typical Japanese anime, but considering his story, it's actually quite logical. Japanese people in general are very reserved and value their personal space very much. However, Itsuomi is an extrovert who doesn't seem to have much regard for personal space. He'll casually sling an arm around a stranger's shoulder on the street or playfully tousle a girl's hair upon first meeting her. For a Japanese person or even an average introverted viewer like myself, this behavior might come off as borderline creepy. However, it all makes sense when you consider Itsuomi's background. Raised in Germany since childhood, his extremely extroverted nature reflects a different set of cultural norms regarding behavior. This contrast is also evident in how affectionate Itsuomi is. It's a portrayal that seems to reflect the Japanese author's imagination of the average energetic German (or European in general) — a character sometimes depicted as a bit over-the-top and eccentric, even to us. Personally, I found Itsuomi incredibly likable. I appreciate open and honest characters who speak their mind, and I admire his efforts to explore the world and become a part of the heroine's life. The dynamic between the two romantic rivals, and even the societal views on a disabled girl, when one would prefer to keep her closed somewhere safe, while the other would like to show her the beauties of the world, was a fascinating aspect of the show. I only wish it had been further developed. The theme of unrequited love and how the characters navigate it is also well-executed. However, if I were to offer one minor criticism, it would be the lack of drama throughout the series. It almost feels like love and romance are portrayed as a leisurely stroll through a rose garden, viewed through rose-colored glasses in fifty shades of pink. Every rivalry and problem seems easily resolved with a calm, mature conversation or a few tears. It was all a bit too saccharine for my taste. While it did match the heroine's nature and all her blushing, I didn't notice any strong moment that would make me 100% sure that I wouldn't forget about the series. One notable detail that caught my eye from the trailer was the prominently drawn lips on the male characters. I initially thought this might be for better portrayal of lip reading, and while it is used once in the series, much more emphasis is placed on hands and sign language. Despite these critiques, Yubisaki no renren did not disappoint. It was a delightful romantic series deserving of my 8/10 rating. I hold back from a perfect score because I believe it could have delved deeper into certain aspects, which would make it stronger and more compelling. Nonetheless, it was a very enjoyable watch and definitely worth your time.

I have to say, the adaptation exceeded my expectations. Visually, it's absolutely captivating, with top-notch effects The music sounds familiar thanks to the collaboration with Nickelodeon. The casting was spot-on for the most part; I had no trouble recognizing all the characters, despite some minor changes that were announced beforehand. These changes didn't hinder the final result at all. I was pleasantly surprised by some unexpected twists, especially the early introduction of a key character from the original animated series who didn't play a crucial role until later seasons. This adaptation gives us solid character development, moving away from the one-dimensional villain portrayal we saw in the original series. On one hand, this live-action version stays true to the source material, preserving the magic of the story. On the other hand, it weaves events together in interesting ways, placing dialogues in different spots than I remembered. Sometimes this worked really well, other times it didn't quite have the impact, possibly due to pacing issues. One standout example is the part around Omashu, where we see elements from about four different episodes of the original series condensed into two episodes. The storylines don't unfold sequentially as they did before, but surprisingly, it all holds together quite well. I found myself really enjoying this reimagined part of the series. In short, it's still mostly the Avatar that I loved so much, far better than the film adaptation from 2010. Yet, it also has its own identity with added elements, omissions, and rearrangements. Personally, I appreciate this deviation from a strict 1:1 remake; it keeps things fresh and interesting. Overall, I'm highly satisfied and eagerly anticipating the adaptations of the second and third books. 8/10

The second season left me with mixed feelings. What irked me the most? It's probably the series' heavy focus on Ruti. I mean, even the entire opening seemed like it was just Ruti fanservice. I was eager to dive into more adventures with Rit and  Red, envisioning how their relationship would blossom in the countryside with friends. Instead, I found myself mostly immersed in Ruti's societal integration and more Ruti-fanservice, which honestly didn't quite resonate with me. The main couple only came to the focus in the last episode, which felt a bit overdue. What did I enjoy? The entire storyline revolving around the hero Van was a standout, showcasing the true essence of a hero in this world. I was quite satisfied with how that arc concluded. The final episode, in my opinion, was a triumph; it finally delivered what I'd been yearning for throughout the series and served as a fitting conclusion, possibly even for the entire series. With the rollercoaster of emotions I experienced while watching — my interest and disinterest taking turns — I land on a solid, average rating. Thanks to the last episode, which I genuinely enjoyed, I'll bump it up by half a point. 5.5/10

It's been seven long years since the Okumura brothers and their battle against Satan graced our screens, and I'm pleased to say that this series still holds my interest even after such a long break. This time around, the focus on Izumo, whom I've always favored (definitely more than Shiemi), was a welcome change, and her story managed to tug at my heartstrings. The mysterious Illuminati organization, led by Lucifer, had me intrigued. I found myself wondering about Mephisto's schemes, and the unpredictable Shima kept me entertained. But above all, I was eagerly anticipating the inevitable downfall of one of the most annoying and despicable antagonists in Blue Exorcist - that swine, sorry, Doctor Gedouin, finally getting what he deserves. While Blue Exorcist may not quite measure up to modern shounen anime in terms of its battles, they're still well-animated and engaging. Personally, I'm not disappointed. I appreciate the atmospheric and mysterious tone of the story, which kept me hooked throughout. So, all in all, I quite enjoyed what I saw, and I'm grateful that we won't have to wait as long for another season this time around. 7.2/10

I really appreciate how this series takes the chaos of high school life and puts it into relatable video game terms. It's like a guidebook for the socially awkward, offering up tips and tricks that could genuinely work. Most of what the series presents feels believable to me, and that's part of what makes it so enjoyable. The first half of the second season, with its focus on bullying, was particularly captivating. The solution to the problem, centered around gradually shifting the overall atmosphere within the class, felt genuine and likable. It was an engaging and satisfying arc. Moving into the second half, where the main hero finally chooses his girlfriend, I found myself somewhat conflicted. My main issue lies in the portrayal of rational thinking in matters of romance and emotions. Love doesn't always follow a logical path, and while there were some good pieces of advice sprinkled in, I struggled to fully buy into the portrayal of romance as so calculated and drama-free. This second half felt a bit off to me. Even though everything tied up relatively neatly, and the winning girl made sense to me as a girlfriend for the main hero, as a romance, it just didn't feel as heartfelt as I hoped, though that might be more reflective of my own romanticized notions. Despite this, my overall impression of the second season remains positive. It's an above-average series with plenty to offer, and I wouldn't rate it any lower than 7/10.

This original series starts off with an interesting character design, and it has a lot of energy. However, it quickly loses steam. The main hero's constant foolery, which is amusing at first, soon becomes tiresome and downright annoying after about 11 episodes. Then, out of the blue, he decides to change his tune, but because his character is so heavily built on his foolishness, this sudden shift doesn't really work. For me, the most intriguing character turned out to be Matakara, who was fighting more than the fists of his opponents in the story. However, even his inner struggles didn't quite resonate as deeply as I hoped. Overall, it's a bit of a letdown. While beautifully animated with great voice acting and a nice beginning, the series fails to deliver much substance. 5/10

I was expecting much more from Mr. Slave than the average plot that every other anime about special academies seems to churn out, mixed with elements reminiscent of Arancar's arc from Bleach... Unfortunately, the not-so-well-done 3DCG animation sticks out like a sore thumb. The studio didn't even bother to mask it as 2D to blend it into the environment as Ishura did so well this year. It's not a pleasant sight, especially during the fight scenes, which lack the impact they should have had. To make matters worse, Chained Soldier falls short even in areas where it should excel, such as the S-M and ecchi elements with Utena yearning for magical girls. This aspect of the anime feels lackluster compared to others that have tackled similar themes, lacking the inventiveness, boldness, and entertainment value. So, the eroticism here is quite mid, the fights are mid (visually below average, action and choreography average at best, effects merely average), and the story follows suit. Are there any redeeming qualities? The characters are fairly decent, including our titular Mr. Slave. However, even with this, the series doesn't earn more than a 5.1/10 from me.

If you were a fan of the previous seasons like I was, this one won't disappoint. The school intrigues continue, with our main hero facing even more formidable enemies. Some have been vanquished, but their influence lingers, especially since the school year ended and a whole class graduated (though I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of some characters). It's still like watching a strategic game of chess; the series maintains its intelligence and believability, keeping me hooked to see what unfolds next. The mystery of the white room gets a bit more clarity, side characters undergo interesting developments, and others surprise us with their true nature. The ending left me amused and slightly puzzled, unsure if it's genuine romance or just another social experiment by the main character. I'm particularly curious about the direction this will all take. For me, the third season earns a solid 8/10.

I decided to give this series a shot, even though the trailers made it seem like utter nonsense. Why? Because it was directed by Chizuru Miyawaki, the genius behind much of my beloved Gintama. I hoped it might be funny, surprising, or at least decent. Two episodes in, and I have to admit, the miracle didn't happen — it's just nonsense!