[12 Days of Anime] Day 4: Slop Loop Almost Convinced Me to Try Fishing Again

Yet another show from the start of the year in the winter season to make my 12 Days is Slow Loop, a show about a group of friends learning how to fish. This is a prime example of how cute girls doing cute things can make anything interesting–the category is the ultimate form of relaxation that I will continue to love no matter how many iterations we see in the future. Slow Loop‘s all-in approach to sharing its hobby with the audience, as well as the overall focus on family, drew me in despite my initial reservations.

[12 Days of Anime] Day 3: My Dress-Up Darling Loves Cosplay and Now So Do I

Almost a year ago now, the anime fandom was blessed with My Dress-Up Darling, which people seemed to either love or hate. You can count me firmly in the love camp–there’s very little about the show with which I found issue. Is the content rating perhaps more explicit than at first glance? Most assuredly. Does the main character get side-lined in favor of the heroine? Yes, to a degree. But it’s also a fact that nothing else comes close to rivaling the passion displayed here.

I’m Quitting Heroing & Rebuilding Fantasy Kingdoms

“Protect humanity; save the world.”

Leon Demonhart, I’m Quitting Heroing

Fixer-uppers are all the rage lately, and I’m not talking about home renovation. The anime seasons have seen their fair share of rebuild narratives, with a few in recent memory jumping immediately into mind: Realist Hero, Genius Prince, and, currently airing, I’m Quitting Heroing. Each of them features a fantastical kingdom in economic and/or political turmoil and in each of them a hero comes along to save the day. While some aspects are refreshing in their approach, other areas perpetuate troubling beliefs and boring writing. I’m Quitting Heroing is the latest and, arguably, the best example of this type of story with its increased focus on notable side characters rather than the lead.

[Review] My Dress-Up Darling

The creators of My Dress-Up Darling couldn’t have named this series any better, because it accurately summarizes the adoration this show’s heroine received this winter. No other girl could even compete in the light of Marin’s glittering smile and outheld hand. You’d have an easier time just going with the flow than trying to ignore her and the force of her cosplay aspirations–not that I think you should do that. I 100% support joining Gojou on this journey that is cosplay and friendship and accepting your passions.

[Review] How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom Part 2

A sadly common scene in Realist Hero

Now that we’re fully into the first and second weeks of the new spring season, I’ll be finishing up my winter reviews a bit more succinctly for my own sanity. This in between time is always a bit crazy trying to finish up one season’s shows but still stay up to date with trying all the newly airing ones. Thankfully, most of the remaining winter anime I have yet to discuss are mostly pretty mediocre, or in the case of this Realist Hero sequel, completely forgettable.

Kaiseki Anime Podcast Episode 96 – Winter 2022 Season Review

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:03 Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest Season 2
• 02:47 How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom Part 2
• 05:20 Love of Kill
• 06:50 Platinum End
• 10:03 Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2
• 13:41 The Case Study of Vanitas Part 2
• 14:38 The Genius Prince’s Guide to Raising a Nation Out of Debt
• 16:38 In the Land of Leadale
• 17:29 Princess Connect! Re:Dive Season 2
• 19:00 Police in a Pod
• 23:07 The Orbital Children
• 24:00 Futsal Boys!!!!!
• 25:13 Tribe Nine
• 28:12 Akebi’s Sailor Uniform
• 30:41 Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc
• 33:23 My Dress-Up Darling
• 38:20 Life With an Ordinary Guy Who Reincarnated Into a Total Fantasy Knockout
• 41:23 Salaryman’s Club
• 43:13 Slow Loop
• 45:35 Ranking of Kings
• 45:50 Sabikui Bisco
• 46:17 Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
• 47:45 Outro

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Music Credits:

• “Clover 3” by Vibe Mountain
• Slow Loop OP: “Yajirushi” by Pokapoka Ion
• “Seasons” by roljui

[Review] Slow Loop – Loss, Healing, and Fish Fry

There was a time when I would have likely avoided Slow Loop the second I saw the word “fishing”, but that time is in the past. This anime turned out to be one of the most welcoming and healing shows of the winter season, replete with fishing lessons, delectable meals, and family introspective.

[Review] Police in a Pod

I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say that Police in a Pod was actually not bad, though it does work with not a small amount of dark comedy and still errs a bit more often than I’d like into officer immunity expecting us to laugh off their choices. What does make this shine is the author’s obvious first-hand experience in law enforcement. Her time spent in uniform reflects not only in a few of the main female characters, but also in their interactions with both their peers and the public.

[Review] Life With an Ordinary Guy Who Reincarnated Into a Total Fantasy Knockout

Like finds like?

Fantasy Knockout is yet another prime example of how first impressions can be wrong and it’s often worth trying new things at least once. I completely skipped this anime for several weeks before a couple of friends convinced me to pick it up—we ended up discussing it along with another isekai on the podcast. Of the handful of similar shows this season and even the previous year, Fantasy Knockout is definitely one of the more unique and entertaining.

[Review] Love of Kill

I wanted more badass moments like this ;_;

Don’t be fooled, dear viewers, into mistaking Love of Kill for some action-packed love story, because it decidedly is not. Mistaken impressions aside, there is a decent amount of thrill in the action and mystery we do explore, even if our protagonists lack several identifiable human traits.