Winter 2016 Season Wrap, Part 1

It’s finally here!!! I’m so relieved to have made it through almost half of my winter anime now that Sakura-Con is over and the spring season looms ahead. This season didn’t strike in my target zone as frequently as ones previous, but there are still a handful of series worth noting.

• Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!
• Boku dake ga Inai Machi
• Haikyuu!! Second Season
• Diamond no Ace: Second Season
• Utawarerumono: Itsuwari no Kamen
• Akagami no Shirayuki-hime 2nd Season
• Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm
• Dimension W
• Ojisan to Marshmallow

Winter 2016 Set Menu

It feels like the start of 2016 has been a mad rush of post-holiday preparations, with people jumping on resolutions and starting projects they should’ve begun before the festivities. With all of our new winter shows finally out, below are the ones that I’ve decided to stick with for now–as you know, the list is subject to changes. I’m always more than happy to try out something new recommended by a reader. This season is one heck of an addition to my plate since there are so many more pleasurable surprises than originally expected from glancing at the line-up. This just validates me giving at least every one of the new releases a try, no matter how much I think I’ll hate it.

• Musaigen no Phantom World
• Prince of Stride: Alternative
• Boku dake ga Inai Machi
• Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri – Enryuu-hen
• Bubuki Buranki
• Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu
• Dimension W
• Hai to Gensou no Grimgar
• Akagami no Shirayuki-hime 2nd Season
• Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm
• Dagashi Kashi
• Ojisan to Marshmallow
• Nijiiro Days
• Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!
• Shoujo-tachi wa Kouya wo Mezasu
• Tabi Machi Late Show
• Durarara!!x2 Ketsu

Summer 2015 Season Wrap, Part 1

The summer anime season is almost over, and I’ve slowly started wrapping up my very long list of shows. I’m experimenting here with with final impressions in installments–instead of my usual massive post of all the shows, I’ll be breaking them down into a few hopefully more manageable reads. Please let me know what you think of this format. I’m also dropping the “Special Ingredient” separation of each review, which can easily be incorporated into one of the main paragraphs. In its place is a 0-3 dango rating system; think of it in the spirit of Michelin star ratings. Just because I give a show 0 dango doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it. On the contrary, my having completed the show proves I found it worthwhile to a certain extent.

Part 2 coming soon!

• Wakako-zake
• Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri
• Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai
• Akagami no Shirayuki-hime
• Shokugeki no Souma
• Baby Steps 2nd Season
• Gakkougurashi!

Summer 2015 Set Menu

I could seriously use a honeydew melon creamsicle almost every day this time of year–Seattle is undergoing another record hot summer with days frequently climbing into the 90s. I’m an Alaskan at heart! Take away this oppressive heat!

Thankfully, we have a ton of new shows to fill the time spent cowering in the shade in front of the fan (because no air conditioners here!), along with a handful of continuing series from the spring. We’re about four-five weeks into the summer, and I’ve mostly chosen the ones I’ll be watching either week-to-week, or all at once at the end of the season.

• Working!!!
• Miss Monochrome: The Animation 2
• Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai
• Gangsta.
• GATE: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri
• Joukamachi no Dandelion
• Rokka no Yuusha
• Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace
• Junjou Romantica 3
• Charlotte
• Aoharu x Kikanjuu
• Akagami no Shirayuki-hime
• Gakkou Gurashi!
• Durarara!!x2 Ten
• Overlord
• Ushio to Tora
• Gatchaman Crowds Insight
• The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls 2nd Season
• Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya 2wei Herz!
• Danchigai