Kaiju Girl Caramelise
Short Synopsis: A high school girl’s body undergoes monstrous changes after going on a date with a boy.
Mario: I suppose this is one of the better titles out there (I mean the actual show’s title), as it suggests all the core elements of the show. “Caramelise” is there both because it has romance (sweetness) and because our protagonist Akaishi loves sweets. And yes, there is a girl and there definitely is a kaiju that appeared in this episode. One thing I really dug in this premiere was that Akaishi’s “conditions” work on several levels. As she feels any romantic emotions, she turns into a literal monster. That’s a rock solid premise to me. What doesn’t impress me so far is the romance itself, as it still ticks every rom-com checkbox there is, and moreover, it goes a bit too fast for the chemistry between Akaishi and her crush to settle in. In the end though, I am curious to see how it develops from here, especially on the personal growth front. As long as it focuses on Akaishi’s grasp on her new identity and isn’t prominently about the romance, then I’ll be a happy guy.
Potential: 40%
Kore Kaite Shine
Short Synopsis: Upon traveling to Comiket, a high school girl learns that her Japanese teacher is secretly a mangaka.
Wooper: Kore Kaite Shine (“Draw This, Then Die”) was one of the biggest wild cards of the season for me, being based on an award-winning manga but coming from a director whose past work I’ve not enjoyed. Having now seen its first episode, I’m glad to say that it turned out quite well – the character designs are somewhat neutered compared to those of the source material, but that’s my only real complaint. Protagonist Ai Yasumi’s love for manga strikes a nice balance of passion and obsession, stemming from its helpfulness in her social development as an awkward youngster. As a result, the moment when she finally purchases new work from her favorite long-dormant mangaka feels like a big payoff, and the twist (easily predicted, but still intriguing) that her buttoned-up teacher is the mangaka in question should pay major narrative dividends as the story unfolds. Shots of characters bursting from a comic book and scene transitions styled after the turning of a page keep the focus on manga the entire time, and Ai’s boundless enthusiasm helps maintain momentum from scene to scene, as well. Though it’s not a stunner on a visual level, Kore Kaite Shine has more heart than I expected, so I’ll be moving forward with it.
Potential: 70%
Chainsmoker Cat
Short Synopsis: A destitute catgirl living in squalor tries to get her nicotine fix by any means necessary.
Wooper: Chainsmoker Cat is bound to be the most controversial anime of the summer, which is a true feat given that it’s airing alongside Mushoku Tensei’s third season. Even before the toe-tapping pop punk OP kicks in (containing a visual homage to Fallen Angels, of all films), we see the title character Yaniko unwittingly dump a glass of cigarette butts and tar juice on her landlord’s head, then defecate violently after smoking a moldy cig she found in the trash. Oh, and the landlord? After catching Yaniko in a state of undress when confronting her, he vigorously masturbates to the memory of her half-nudity. So why did I keep watching this episode beyond those first two minutes, and why do I intend to continue with the show? After all, it’s just as disgusting, in its way, as all the bottom tier fantasy anime featuring slavery apologia and dubious sexual politics. The answer isn’t just amusement that such a nasty series ended up with such solid production (though the animation certainly helps), but an interest in what scenarios the show will create to reform Yaniko’s character, and how they’ll inevitably be foiled. The episode’s closing phone call where she promises to quit smoking, only for her sister to hear the sound of a lighter flicking to life through the speaker, isn’t just funny – it’s tragic, and the space between comedy and tragedy interests me. Perhaps the series will go on to exceed my personal grossness tolerance and I’ll end up dropping it, but for now I’m interested in what absurdity and humanity it can mine from its vice-laden cast.
Potential: YMMV
The post Summer 2026 Impressions: Kaiju Girl Caramelise, Kore Kaite Shine, Chainsmoker Cat appeared first on Star Crossed Anime.
