General Anime Thread
DeathCloud
Agent of Shadows
@E-123
Really hard to follow franchise (there are also LN and manga what did not get anime yet)
Really hard to follow franchise (there are also LN and manga what did not get anime yet)
Flying Pancake 
@Holofan4life
I see what you mean, it had some good concepts. For me, though, the writing and animation really let their potential down.
I see what you mean, it had some good concepts. For me, though, the writing and animation really let their potential down.
dt 
No Thank You
Dr. Stone ep 13. Not thrilled that this has turned into an actual fighting tournament, but this was a fun start.
Re:Stage ep 12. Good payoffs for relationships they had been developing, I just wish they had more time to explore these dynamics further.
The long shots of the performance did not look great, but the mid-range and close-up shots were good. Choreography was good, and the VAs can sing. Not a perfect final performance, but still good.
Very surprised they went for a bittersweet ending, and they pulled it off damn well. They acknowledged the lessons they learned and friendships they made, without shying away from the pain of losing. Lot of props for that.
Re:Stage ep 12. Good payoffs for relationships they had been developing, I just wish they had more time to explore these dynamics further.
The long shots of the performance did not look great, but the mid-range and close-up shots were good. Choreography was good, and the VAs can sing. Not a perfect final performance, but still good.
Very surprised they went for a bittersweet ending, and they pulled it off damn well. They acknowledged the lessons they learned and friendships they made, without shying away from the pain of losing. Lot of props for that.
Don't 
Get up and Jump
>“Naruto’s Creator: ‘I’m going to give this badass character the name… Momotaro!’
>Editor: ‘Let’s go with Zabuza instead.’
>Naruto’s Creator: ‘I’m going to give this cool character the name… Kotaro!
>Editor: ‘Let’s go with Gaara instead. Also, stop making Kakashi talk like an old man.
>Yup, that’s right. Kishimoto originally wanted to name Zabuza, the Demon of the Hidden Mist with a huge sword, Momotaro. For those who don’t know, Momotaro is the name of the protagonist in the classic Japanese story Peach Boy, about a little boy named Momotaro who hatches from a peach and leaves home to beat up demons
>Here’s the other changes suggested by the editor that were listed in the tweet:
>“Cutting out a ton of exposition.
>Putting in Sasuke.
>Making the Wave Country arc (with Zabuza/Haku).
>Stopping him from making the hokage and teachers animals.
>Having all the characters take the Chunin Exam all at once.
>The models for Rock Lee and the other Chunin Exam characters.
>Turning Naruto from a fox into a human.
>Changing Zabuza’s partner Haku from a bear into a human.
>Giving the protagonist narrow eyes and the rival wider eyes.
>Having him make the names of jutsu consistent for worlbuilding’s sake, rather than random and all over the place.
>Editor: ‘Let’s go with Zabuza instead.’
>Naruto’s Creator: ‘I’m going to give this cool character the name… Kotaro!
>Editor: ‘Let’s go with Gaara instead. Also, stop making Kakashi talk like an old man.
>Yup, that’s right. Kishimoto originally wanted to name Zabuza, the Demon of the Hidden Mist with a huge sword, Momotaro. For those who don’t know, Momotaro is the name of the protagonist in the classic Japanese story Peach Boy, about a little boy named Momotaro who hatches from a peach and leaves home to beat up demons
>Here’s the other changes suggested by the editor that were listed in the tweet:
>“Cutting out a ton of exposition.
>Putting in Sasuke.
>Making the Wave Country arc (with Zabuza/Haku).
>Stopping him from making the hokage and teachers animals.
>Having all the characters take the Chunin Exam all at once.
>The models for Rock Lee and the other Chunin Exam characters.
>Turning Naruto from a fox into a human.
>Changing Zabuza’s partner Haku from a bear into a human.
>Giving the protagonist narrow eyes and the rival wider eyes.
>Having him make the names of jutsu consistent for worlbuilding’s sake, rather than random and all over the place.
dt
Over the past two years, I have grown to hate the idea of purity that is popular in anime and anime fandom. So naturally, Araburu Kisetsu no Otome-domo yo is my Anime of the Year. Like A Place Further Than the Universe, it’s about of group of friends trying to maintain their friendships through adversity and tragedy, except instead of Antarctica, the obstacles are sexuality and social norms.
It is as effortlessly funny as it is brutally well-observed. It’s a painfully true-to-life depiction of the high-school experience. It strikes a balance between joking about its characters’ messy teenage feelings, while also treating them with respect and understanding the pain they feel. I even appreciate how the boys aren’t presented as one-dimensional sex maniacs – they’re as ignorant and insecure as the girls, they just happen to be suffering under a different set of social expectations. Every member of the literature club gets fully realized enough to carry a story all by herself, and yet the way these stories intersect consistently elevates all of them, emphasizing the shared nature of their pain. It’s always a treat to run into a character drama this rich, perceptive, and compassionate.
It challenges the idea of “purity” and (correctly) frames it as something limiting and dehumanizing. It conquers one of the biggest demons in romance stories and real life, which is the idea love and friendship are incompatible. It shows that all relationships matter, and you don’t have to sacrifice it all because you’re in love with someone. It actually frames pedophilia as something deeply damaging, not a mere annoyance. It is massively Problematic, but it’s the good kind of Problematic.
It acknowledges and respects that kids aren’t going to have everything figured out after high school, and gives a big middle finger to authority, with all the grace of five sexually confused teenage girls and several buckets of paint. It’s my Anime of the Year, and I’ll be (pleasantly) shocked if anything in the Fall topped it.
Symphogear XV was easily the best season of a legendary franchise. It had the best animation, the best fights, didn’t lock half the Gears out of each battle for flimsy plot reasons, didn’t hammer filial piety down our throats (as much), had good stories for its new characters, successfully built on previous drama in ways I didn’t expect this franchise was capable of, and it had fantastic payoffs for beloved characters. My biggest complaint was how they chose to be subtle at the very end, when the franchise is anything but subtle, but it’s fine. (Seen worse endings for sapphic anime.) No show has ever been as proud of itself as this one, and genuinely delivered this time. Thank you, Symphogear.
Machikado Mazoku frames the struggle between Good and Evil as largely farcical, and instead focuses on the characters’ personal insecurities and dealing with the responsibilities thrust onto them by the systems they were born into. It’s a wonderful example of how slice-of-life can improve as the characters have more time to fill out. It’s incredibly cute, sweet, and funny. It’s also low-key smart and tragic, and it has good enough dramatic timing to elevate itself above average slice-of-life CGDCT.
Given is a thoughtfully executed romance, and great example of how direction can impact drama. Its art, design, and animation are only so-so, but its writing and storyboarding easily make up for it. It has smart visual storytelling, the dialogue is refreshingly honest. The group’s conversations about music felt very natural, selling the substance of its cast through their divergent but mutually sympathetic perspectives. It’s unafraid to directly address suicide, social isolation, and coming to terms with your sexuality in a hostile social climate, but it filters those topics through the voices of characters who are unable to express their suffering, rather than performing through their sadness in an over-the-top way.
I’ve only started watching BL this year, and I am willing to admit I still can’t quite connect to the characters as well as I can with het and yuri, but the two I’ve seen this year have been pretty well-told stories. Maybe I’ve been lucky, but I have yet to encounter the “trashy” elements that BL is notorious for.
Re:Stage defies modern idol anime standards by caring about its characters’ motivations and earning its connections more than gimmicks and CGDCT. It actually has its characters deal with systemic issues, and it has 2D routines. I’m glad there are still idol franchises that aren’t just copying LL.
Aikatsu Friends had a rather rushed final arc, but overall, the second season was a strong exploration of what it means to be friends, to means to care for someone deeply, and to love someone with all of your heart. This, too, is Aikatsu.
Cannon Busters was a fun surprise. It was mostly a fun, episodic adventure with fun character dynamics and excellent designs (especially Dex). It wasn’t as consistently high-minded as I would’ve liked, but when it aimed higher, it got there. Would watch more.
Dr. Stone has been mediocre narratively, and its designs and art are not great, but its depiction of science as something takes a lot of effort but can fundamentally improve people’s lives has been excellent. This latest arc has had some elements that seemed dubious, but they’ve navigated them well enough, so maybe I should start trusting this show to actually stick its landings.
Granbelm had the biggest drop-off of anime I’ve seen this year. The show was greatly elevated by its main pair’s honest self-reflection, so I hated that the show decided that their pain was okay because it served some higher philosophical purpose.
The show decided to hinge a lot of its drama on its mechanics, but the rules of the magic system they had were pretty nebulous, so it took away from a lot of the tension and emotional impact it could’ve had if it was more grounded. I also got tired of the villains’ melodramatic writing. Suishou was particularly disappointing. Anna was at least a bit sympathetic, but they totally failed to get me to feel for Suisho. Hikasa Yoko and Yuuki Aoi really try though, some of the Best voice work of the Year.
Really disappointing.
Astra hit some high highs, but childish attempts at humor, romance, and world-building detract a lot from its drama.
No Thank You
Here are my final rankings for Summer 2019. Unfortunately, not all of my shows finished strong. Still, I expect this season to have the most shows in my top 10-15 for the Year. As usual, all standards for artistic merit are completely subjective and arbitrary.
Araburu Kisetsu no Otome-domo yo
Symphogear XV
Machikado Mazoku
Given
Re:Stage! Dream Day
Aikatsu Friends (62+)
Cannon Busters
Dr. Stone (1-13)
Granbelm
Kanata no Astra
Over the past two years, I have grown to hate the idea of purity that is popular in anime and anime fandom. So naturally, Araburu Kisetsu no Otome-domo yo is my Anime of the Year. Like A Place Further Than the Universe, it’s about of group of friends trying to maintain their friendships through adversity and tragedy, except instead of Antarctica, the obstacles are sexuality and social norms.
It is as effortlessly funny as it is brutally well-observed. It’s a painfully true-to-life depiction of the high-school experience. It strikes a balance between joking about its characters’ messy teenage feelings, while also treating them with respect and understanding the pain they feel. I even appreciate how the boys aren’t presented as one-dimensional sex maniacs – they’re as ignorant and insecure as the girls, they just happen to be suffering under a different set of social expectations. Every member of the literature club gets fully realized enough to carry a story all by herself, and yet the way these stories intersect consistently elevates all of them, emphasizing the shared nature of their pain. It’s always a treat to run into a character drama this rich, perceptive, and compassionate.
It challenges the idea of “purity” and (correctly) frames it as something limiting and dehumanizing. It conquers one of the biggest demons in romance stories and real life, which is the idea love and friendship are incompatible. It shows that all relationships matter, and you don’t have to sacrifice it all because you’re in love with someone. It actually frames pedophilia as something deeply damaging, not a mere annoyance. It is massively Problematic, but it’s the good kind of Problematic.
It acknowledges and respects that kids aren’t going to have everything figured out after high school, and gives a big middle finger to authority, with all the grace of five sexually confused teenage girls and several buckets of paint. It’s my Anime of the Year, and I’ll be (pleasantly) shocked if anything in the Fall topped it.
Symphogear XV was easily the best season of a legendary franchise. It had the best animation, the best fights, didn’t lock half the Gears out of each battle for flimsy plot reasons, didn’t hammer filial piety down our throats (as much), had good stories for its new characters, successfully built on previous drama in ways I didn’t expect this franchise was capable of, and it had fantastic payoffs for beloved characters. My biggest complaint was how they chose to be subtle at the very end, when the franchise is anything but subtle, but it’s fine. (Seen worse endings for sapphic anime.) No show has ever been as proud of itself as this one, and genuinely delivered this time. Thank you, Symphogear.
Machikado Mazoku frames the struggle between Good and Evil as largely farcical, and instead focuses on the characters’ personal insecurities and dealing with the responsibilities thrust onto them by the systems they were born into. It’s a wonderful example of how slice-of-life can improve as the characters have more time to fill out. It’s incredibly cute, sweet, and funny. It’s also low-key smart and tragic, and it has good enough dramatic timing to elevate itself above average slice-of-life CGDCT.
Given is a thoughtfully executed romance, and great example of how direction can impact drama. Its art, design, and animation are only so-so, but its writing and storyboarding easily make up for it. It has smart visual storytelling, the dialogue is refreshingly honest. The group’s conversations about music felt very natural, selling the substance of its cast through their divergent but mutually sympathetic perspectives. It’s unafraid to directly address suicide, social isolation, and coming to terms with your sexuality in a hostile social climate, but it filters those topics through the voices of characters who are unable to express their suffering, rather than performing through their sadness in an over-the-top way.
I’ve only started watching BL this year, and I am willing to admit I still can’t quite connect to the characters as well as I can with het and yuri, but the two I’ve seen this year have been pretty well-told stories. Maybe I’ve been lucky, but I have yet to encounter the “trashy” elements that BL is notorious for.
Re:Stage defies modern idol anime standards by caring about its characters’ motivations and earning its connections more than gimmicks and CGDCT. It actually has its characters deal with systemic issues, and it has 2D routines. I’m glad there are still idol franchises that aren’t just copying LL.
Aikatsu Friends had a rather rushed final arc, but overall, the second season was a strong exploration of what it means to be friends, to means to care for someone deeply, and to love someone with all of your heart. This, too, is Aikatsu.
Cannon Busters was a fun surprise. It was mostly a fun, episodic adventure with fun character dynamics and excellent designs (especially Dex). It wasn’t as consistently high-minded as I would’ve liked, but when it aimed higher, it got there. Would watch more.
Dr. Stone has been mediocre narratively, and its designs and art are not great, but its depiction of science as something takes a lot of effort but can fundamentally improve people’s lives has been excellent. This latest arc has had some elements that seemed dubious, but they’ve navigated them well enough, so maybe I should start trusting this show to actually stick its landings.
Granbelm had the biggest drop-off of anime I’ve seen this year. The show was greatly elevated by its main pair’s honest self-reflection, so I hated that the show decided that their pain was okay because it served some higher philosophical purpose.
The show decided to hinge a lot of its drama on its mechanics, but the rules of the magic system they had were pretty nebulous, so it took away from a lot of the tension and emotional impact it could’ve had if it was more grounded. I also got tired of the villains’ melodramatic writing. Suishou was particularly disappointing. Anna was at least a bit sympathetic, but they totally failed to get me to feel for Suisho. Hikasa Yoko and Yuuki Aoi really try though, some of the Best voice work of the Year.
Really disappointing.
Astra hit some high highs, but childish attempts at humor, romance, and world-building detract a lot from its drama.
DarklordYuri 
Yuri is best girl
I just finished School-Live (only took me five months).
H o l y s h i t.
It just kept getting better and better with every episode, and I really hope we get a second season someday.
I cried a lot while watching this, especially during the last few episodes. ”Bye-bye, Megu-nee” and Taroumaru’s death hit me the hardest.
I also finished Wandering Son recently. It was really good, but I’m not 100% happy with how they handled the subject matter tbh.
I think I might starting posting my watch list updates here again, so look forward to that ;)
H o l y s h i t.
It just kept getting better and better with every episode, and I really hope we get a second season someday.
I cried a lot while watching this, especially during the last few episodes. ”Bye-bye, Megu-nee” and Taroumaru’s death hit me the hardest.
I also finished Wandering Son recently. It was really good, but I’m not 100% happy with how they handled the subject matter tbh.
I think I might starting posting my watch list updates here again, so look forward to that ;)
dt
No Thank You
Reposting my Fall 2019 to-watch list.
Aikatsu on Parade: This, too, is Aikatsu.
Boku no Hero Academia S4: I hope the writing can maintain its quality now that the status quo has changed.
Azur Lane: Should be better than the KanColle anime.
Honzuki no Gekokujou (Ascendance of a Bookworm): Librarian isekai.
Rifle is Beautiful: Studio 3Hz doing Girls With Guns. Starring Ueda Reina.
Beastars: Furry anime, from the CG studio that did Land of the Lustrous.
Africa no Salaryman: Also furry.
Hoshiai no Sora: Badminton anime, written and directed by Kazuki Akane (Escaflowne).
Ahiru no Sora: Basketball.
Watashi, Nouryoku wa Heikinchi de tte Itta yo ne: Isekai by the director of Gabriel Dropout.
Fate/Grand Order Babylonia: Mash’s shield is a metaphor for inaccessibility.
Hokago Saikoro Club: I hope it’s actually board games, and they’re not a metaphor for relationships.
Kono Yuusha ga Ore TUEEE Kuse ni Shinchou Sugiru: I hope it has more than one joke.
Tenka Hyakken: Meiji-kan e Youkoso: It’s like Azur Lane except with sword-girls instead of ship-girls.
Kandagawa Jet Girls: Girl riding jet skis. Probably won’t even get licensed.
Z/X Code Reunion: Apparently, this is a sequel to a show I never watched, so this might just be too confusing.
Movie/OVA
Bunny Girl Senpai movie
Blackfox
Fragtime: Yuri.
OBSOLETE: Gen Urobuchi.
Mugen no Juunin (Blade of the Immortal) 2019: I never saw the original.
Null Peta: Robot girl.
Leftovers
Dr. Stone
Off-season Project
Flip Flappers (ongoing)
Aikatsu on Parade: This, too, is Aikatsu.
Boku no Hero Academia S4: I hope the writing can maintain its quality now that the status quo has changed.
Azur Lane: Should be better than the KanColle anime.
Honzuki no Gekokujou (Ascendance of a Bookworm): Librarian isekai.
Rifle is Beautiful: Studio 3Hz doing Girls With Guns. Starring Ueda Reina.
Beastars: Furry anime, from the CG studio that did Land of the Lustrous.
Africa no Salaryman: Also furry.
Hoshiai no Sora: Badminton anime, written and directed by Kazuki Akane (Escaflowne).
Ahiru no Sora: Basketball.
Watashi, Nouryoku wa Heikinchi de tte Itta yo ne: Isekai by the director of Gabriel Dropout.
Fate/Grand Order Babylonia: Mash’s shield is a metaphor for inaccessibility.
Hokago Saikoro Club: I hope it’s actually board games, and they’re not a metaphor for relationships.
Kono Yuusha ga Ore TUEEE Kuse ni Shinchou Sugiru: I hope it has more than one joke.
Tenka Hyakken: Meiji-kan e Youkoso: It’s like Azur Lane except with sword-girls instead of ship-girls.
Kandagawa Jet Girls: Girl riding jet skis. Probably won’t even get licensed.
Z/X Code Reunion: Apparently, this is a sequel to a show I never watched, so this might just be too confusing.
Movie/OVA
Bunny Girl Senpai movie
Blackfox
Fragtime: Yuri.
OBSOLETE: Gen Urobuchi.
Mugen no Juunin (Blade of the Immortal) 2019: I never saw the original.
Null Peta: Robot girl.
Leftovers
Dr. Stone
Off-season Project
Flip Flappers (ongoing)
dt
I appreciate that Yuru Camp has an actual Yamaha sponsorship. (Also, Shimarin looks good in anything.)
No Thank You
I appreciate that Yuru Camp has an actual Yamaha sponsorship. (Also, Shimarin looks good in anything.)
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