Undead Unluck Hit Me Right in the Gut and I Liked It

Thank you, Draggle, once again for turning me onto this show, and what a ride it was. Crazy, wild, and really, really damn good. 

That’s it. That’s the review.

Just kidding. I’m not as succinct as my podcast co-host can be, so I’ll go into a bit more detail. If you’re interested, you can also listen to us talk about it. Since you’re here, now, then let me just say that Undead Unluck took all my misgivings and expectations and blasted them into the literal galaxy where they expanded and took on Andy-levels of joy. I could not watch a single episode without laughing my ass off, which might be why I avoided watching the final episodes on my recent vacation. I can’t be cackling like a mad fiend on the plane or train that way. People would call the authorities. There’d be embarrassment to be had for everyone involved. Then we’d all get over it after I explained that it was the show’s fault and that if they just watched it, then they’d understand. Right?

Frieren, The One Worth Waiting For

Alright, I’ve procrastinated talking about Frieren long enough. The time has finally come for me to acknowledge that this show is well and truly over, and that a sequel has yet to be announced.

Nevermind that a Chained Soldier has a promised continuation. I’m not bitter, or anything like that.

Ahem, anyway, this has been one hell of a season, and Frieren is a large part of why I enjoyed the winter so much. Does it have its flaws? Obviously, yes. But what it does right it does so time and time again, and I am at heart a creature of comfort and habit.

How to Become a Wizard with Cherry Magic!

Oh, Cherry Magic, how I will miss you! Your angst and your miscommunications, your fluffy dreams and wishes. The show didn’t go quite as explicit as I’d been hoping for, but that’s okay. I don’t mind imagining all the gritty details now that our couples are actually couples, complete with reciprocated understandings of what it is they feel for one another and want for the future.

The Apothecary Diaries: A Balm to My Soul

The season might be over, but not only do we already have an announced sequel, we also have plenty of source material still to titillate us (and this I actually know firsthand). Even though this first series took up two cours, I still wasn’t ready for it to end. I know it sounds dramatic, but I can’t really bear the thought of future weeks going without The Apothecary Diaries, it was just that wonderful of a show to look forward to. I’ll be ready and waiting for when it returns.

Fluffy Paradise Isn’t So Fluffy, After All

Curiosity and cuteness didn’t kill the cat, but it did lull me into a state of begrudging affection. When I originally decided to keep up with this show, the decision came about from a genuine interest in the main character’s new life and how she might grow up with her gift. What I didn’t expect, but probably should have in hindsight, was the latter half’s focus on the politics and drama in relation to the beasts that occupy “their” kingdoms. Neema situates herself right in between them, “helping” in the unique way that she can, but really coming across as a little girl with a savior complex.

The Unwanted Undead Adventurer’s Lessons on Humanity

At a glance, this show has nothing to separate it from the masses of other generic fantasy other than the protagonist. But, even there, who am I kidding? We’ve already had every type of storyteller under the sun, from spiders, to pigs, and even to vending machines. In light of those examples, an undead main character is nothing special, right? You wouldn’t be wrong to assume that, because from start to finish, that’s who this show is all about. But you know what? That’s fine. That’s more than fine. Rentt Faina is a story all on his own.

The Demon Prince of Momochi House Needs Saving, Too

Ayakashi and romance—what more do I need? Right from the start, Momochi House seemed tailor made for me, a combination of my beloved Fruits Basket and Natsume, minus the useless female protagonist and crippling childhood trauma (for the main character, at least). There was very little the show could do to make me dislike it, a sentiment that held true all the way to its straightforward end.

Falling in Love with A Sign of Affection

I can’t even remember how long it’s been since I last watched a romance anime that moved me to this extent to the point that every single episode nearly squeezed my heart in joy. Everything about this show, the characters, the setting, the dialogue, and just the overal tone was a study in wonderment. I walked in thinking I knew what what was in store for me, but at the end my heart was fuller than I ever could have expected.

Kaiseki Anime Podcast Episode 139 – Winter 2024 Anime Season First Impressions

• 0:00:00 Intro
• 0:02:00 Chained Soldier
• 0:05:05 Delusional Monthly Magazine
• 0:07:09 Mr. Villain’s Day Off
• 0:08:05 Pon no Michi
• 0:08:42 Snack Basue
• 0:10:11 The Strongest Tank’s Labyrinth Raids -A Tank with a Rare 9999 Resistance Skill Got Kicked from the Hero’s Party-
• 0:11:31 Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss but I’m Not the Demon Lord
• 0:13:51 Banished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside Season 2
• 0:15:45 Brave Bang Bravern!
• 0:17:37 Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki 2nd Stage
• 0:19:28 BUCCHIGIRI?!
• 0:21:45 Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!
• 0:23:38 Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp
• 0:26:35 Fluffy Paradise
• 0:27:31 Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable!
• 0:31:05 ISHURA
• 0:33:55 MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES Season 2
• 0:34:35 Sengoku Youko
• 0:35:51 Tales of Wedding Rings
• 0:38:18 The Unwanted Undead Adventurer
• 0:41:19 ‘Tis Time for “Torture,” Princess
• 0:44:16 A Sign of Affection
• 0:46:41 Classroom of the Elite Season 3
• 0:49:36 The Demon Prince of Momochi House
• 0:51:45 Metallic Rouge
• 0:54:02 My Instant Death Ability is Overpowered
• 0:55:47 Solo Leveling
• 0:57:42 The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash
• 0:59:23 The Witch and the Beast
• 1:01:28 TSUKIMICHI -Moonlit Fantasy- Season 2
• 1:03:20 7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy!
• 1:08:03 Blue Exorcist -Shimane Illuminati Saga-
• 1:09:16 Delicious in Dungeon
• 1:10:52 The Fire Hunter Season 2
• 1:13:04 The Foolish Angel Dances with the Devil
• 1:14:28 Gushing Over Magical Girls
• 1:15:33 Meiji Gekken: 1874
• 1:17:02 Sasaki and Peeps
• 1:20:00 The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic
• 1:21:58 The Apothecary Diaries
• 1:22:37 Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
• 1:22:54 Shangri-La Frontier
• 1:23:07 Undead Unluck
• 1:23:20 Outro

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Music Credits:

• “Clover 3” by Vibe Mountain
• “Seasons” by roljui

Winter 2024 Taste Test: Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki 2nd Stage

I soooo thought I was in the clear for winter 2024 anime, but then Draggle had to go and remind me that I had watched the previous seasons of Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki, a fact that I’d somehow forgotten. Maybe it’s due to the forgettable title, which sounds similar to any generic isekai, or the “2nd Stage”, which I took to mean this was yet another anime’s sequel whose first season I likely hadn’t watched. Well. I’m watching it now (for real).