Once more we see that Gachiakuta is playing the long game. A little at a time, plot, characters, world-building. That’s the way of big-time battle shounen but as well, I think it reflects a certain confidence on the part of the mangaka. It may (well, there’s no “may” about it) be easier for a Weekly …
Witch Watch – 19
It’s almost like Witch Watch read my piece referring to it as a possible gag manga, because this week it goes back to a traditional three-act plot. That’s been a rare occurrence over the course of the series so quite the coincidence. As ever I tend to like this series less when it goes serious, …
Dekin no Mogura (The Earthbound Mole) – 06
This anime season is a good one for oddball shows. It makes sense since the schedule is so massive, but it’s always nice to get a break from conformity. Factoring in the carryover Uchuujin MuuMuu we have an impressive diversity of weirdness – Ame to Kimi to, Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu, and this series. Each …
Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun (Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun) 2 – 18
Needless to say, there are still plenty of unanswered questions here. That’s what happens when pretty much the entire cast (with two prominent exceptions) are brimming with hidden agendas in everything they do. But the boundaries of the current situation seem to be pretty clearly established. And it seems as if Hanako-kun is going back …
Patron Pick Summer 2025: Ame to Kimi to (With You and the Rain) – 06
At this point there’s no question that Ame to Kimi to fills “that” niche this season. I thought for a time that Dekin no Mogura might be a candidate, but it slides over into the more plot-driven lane I think. That one may be a bit of a hybrid, but With You and the Rain …
Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru (My Dress-up Darling) Season 2 – 06
An episode like this doesn’t have a whole lot of weight to it, it’s true. But it certainly has charm. Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru does very well with this sort of unpretentious glorious youth vibe. It does whitewash some of the darker sides of adolescence to be sure, but even if it …