Tasokare Hotel
Short Synopsis: When someone dies, they are placed in-between worlds at a strange hotel where they must find clues about themselves and decide whether to go to heaven or return to Earth.
Mario: Have you ever been to an escape room? Well, this episode offers something akin to being in an escape room trying to figure a way out, with a Death Parade twist (geez, that show is… 10 years old now). Our main girl must find clues within her room to learn who she was, why she died and all that jazz. That premise might not appeal to all audiences, but for me what makes it fare a bit better is how it also focuses on the eccentric staff in this hotel. So much so that it actually makes sense when the main heroine decides to remain there to work. Along the way of finding out why she died, she ends up helping another customer first. That section – while still interesting – is amongst my least favorite parts of the episode. For instance, it required knowledge that our main girl just happened to have learned in her past life, which feels too far-fetched. I do enjoy the interior designs of the hotel, as well as the character designs of the cast. Overall, I wouldn’t mind watching more episodes of this.
Potential: 30%
The Apothecary Diaries S2
Short Synopsis: More Apothecary Diaries.
Lenlo: With Lakan out of the picture, Apothecary Diaries has, mostly, managed to return to its previous level of quality. The directing and storyboarding is a bit lackluster, I can’t think of any scenes or shots that really stood out to me the same way portions of the original did, but the dynamic between Jinshi and Mao Mao is still there, as is all of the palace politics. Regretfully though, there’s no major thread or story really setup in the first episode, giving me very little to judge the upcoming arcs on. Will it be some of the good stuff, like the early arcs surrounding the concubines? Or will it be more on the mediocre end, like the metal-workers or Lakan? Only time will tell, and Apothecary Diaries has been good enough in the past that I’m willing to pay attention and hear it out for a bit, but I’m not convinced Apothecary Diaries has the consistency to keep me interested.
Potential: 45%
Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf!
Short Synopsis: A Japanese salaryman shows an elf from his dreams around Tokyo after she wakes up in his bed.
Wooper: The most refreshing thing about this show is that Marie, the titular elf, doesn’t feel the need to hide her fondness for the main character, nor for the strange human world to which she was involuntarily summoned. “Nihon e Youkoso, Elf-san” still engages in plenty of tropeyness – Marie is a big-chested fantasy babe who wakes up naked in the male protagonist’s bed, after all – but she also has an unreserved personality and an infectious love of new experiences. She reacts excitedly at the prospect of exploring Tokyo, inquires about Japanese landmarks and customs with interest, and doesn’t hesitate to slip her hand around the protagonist’s arm as they walk down a path lined by cherry trees. As for the main character himself, he’s an inoffensive mid-twenties office worker whose favorite hobby is sleeping – I can’t exactly blame him, since his dreams reliably transport him to an (apparently real) fantasy world, but he does come off as more than a bit boring. Even he gets a couple good jokes, though, such as sneaking up on a monster in a temple only to give him a high five and reveal their friendship to Marie. The vibes are good all around, so even if I’ll never watch another episode of Ms. Elf, I’d call this premiere a success.
Potential: 25%
The post Winter 2025 Impressions: Tasokare Hotel, The Apothecary Diaries S2, Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf! appeared first on Star Crossed Anime.
