Roshidere – 03 – Getting Worked Up
While Alya relaxes at home with her big sister Maria (AKA Masha), talk turns to Masachika, whom Masha assumes Alya likes since she always seems so intense while talking about him. Alya insists they’re just friends, though it took Masachika confirming it for her to even think that way. We go back six years ago … Continue reading "Roshidere – 03 – Getting Worked Up"
2.5 Dimensional Seduction – 02 – Becoming His Angel
It’s come to my attention Okumura Masamune may not be the focus of the entire 24-episode run of this series about cosplaying, but for now, he still is, and that kind of sucks. He refuses to entertain the notion that he might like Ririsa, even as they test out the club camera with a photo shoot … Continue reading "2.5 Dimensional Seduction – 02 – Becoming His Angel"
Monogatari Series – Off and Monster Season – 02 – The Fivefold Nadeko
From Tsukihi Undo we continue to Nadeko Draw, but unlike the opener, this is not a one-and-done episode arc. We check in on Nadeko as she’s about to be run over by Oshino Ougi on his bicycle. Ougi, who is now both male and squirrelly about whether he and Nadeko know one another, uses his superhuman agility … Continue reading "Monogatari Series – Off and Monster Season – 02 – The Fivefold Nadeko"
Days with My Stepsister – 02 – Armed Mode
Yuuta overhears from his friend Maru that there are rumors swirling about Saki selling herself. Mind you, it’s all hearsay, but the volume of said rumors have a way of generating a false veracity. Rather than heed Maru’s advise to stay away from Saki (Maru doesn’t know they’re now stepsiblings), Yuuta actually joins Saki in … Continue reading "Days with My Stepsister – 02 – Armed Mode"
Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian – 02 – Fashion Suou
When Masachika volunteers to help organize the StuCo storage room, his childhood friend Suou Yuki continues to exhibit her bordering-on-lovey-dovey dynamic with Masachika. He’s surprised to find Alya there too, and notes that Yuki set him up. Alya uses her Russian to demand he pay more attention to her, and has fun “throwing herself” at … Continue reading "Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian – 02 – Fashion Suou"
Monogatari Series – Off and Monster Season – 01 – I Scream
The Summer arrival of an all-new sequel series to Monogatari comes as a total and immensely pleasant surprise to yours truly. The last installment, Zoku Owarimonogatari, aired a whole five years ago. Fortunately, I wasn’t the only one who thought the series should just go on indefinitely as long as there’s Nisio Isin material to adapt. Off and … Continue reading "Monogatari Series – Off and Monster Season – 01 – I Scream"
Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian – 01 (First Impressions) – He’s Got a Secret
Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou, or Alya, is half-Russian and considered a top school idol, but is nigh unapproachable to most. Even her guy counterpart is shot down faster than you can say Спасибо. The one guy who has her attention is her desk neighbor Kuza Masachika, who is an otherwise ordinary guy. As a student council treasurer, she … Continue reading "Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian – 01 (First Impressions) – He’s Got a Secret"
Days with My Stepsister – 01 (First Impressions) – Smoothing Things Out
Hmm, this is a little more interesting. Protagonist Asamura Yuuta isn’t as obnoxious as 2.5’s otaku Okamura, but his personality is dangerously close to wallpaper paste. It came as a surprise that his dad’s new wife’s daughter, Ayase Saki, is not only his age, but a beautiful gyaru type (at least in terms of appearance). … Continue reading "Days with My Stepsister – 01 (First Impressions) – Smoothing Things Out"
Hibike! Euphonium 3 – 13 (Fin) – A New Breath
This finale starts out by briefly going through the five days leading up to the nationals. They are days that are filled with more joy and fun than anxiety, dread, or fear. They also include Kumiko, Reina, Hazuki, and Sapphire posing together for the heartwarming photo above. When Mayu hears Kumiko playing the special piece … Continue reading "Hibike! Euphonium 3 – 13 (Fin) – A New Breath"
Whisper Me a Love Song – 09 – A Hot Mess
After Shino tells Himari her backstory (in confidence), Hima takes it upon herself to act as mediator between the two warring bands. With Momoka’s help, she assembles everyone for a taste-testing session that’s actually meant to be a peace summit. But things immediately go downhill, as Shiho has no intention of speaking to Aki. Shiho’s … Continue reading "Whisper Me a Love Song – 09 – A Hot Mess"