SnowGator

Yea. I kinda get why they’re doing this exam, but also kinda don’t see why Frieren isn’t just “f that” and go anyway. Feels like they’re not making progress towards their goal, which feels meh.

And any episode that heavily features Fern pouting as a plot point (which has been a surprisingly commonly used point) I find a little tedious. Just an IRL thing I find very frustrating too. Modeling poor communication in anime and movies is a pet peeve.

Still enjoying Frieren a bunch though. Just not 10/10 definitive AOTY for this cour.

Caught up on Dangers in my Heart, Frieren, and Solo Leveling.

Honestly… I’m kinda not feeling this season as much. They’re all good, but not super great. Dangers, in particular, I found much more impactful last season. Not sure if it’s production quality, or just where the story is at. Or me…?

Even Frieren hasn’t been hitting the same highs. I didn’t realize the current arc was going to be so drawn out. It still kinda feels like absolutely nothing is happening, but then something really cool happens. I dunno. Maybe winter is getting to me.

Of the three, I think I’m enjoying Solo Leveling the most, so maybe I’m just looking for some dramatic action or something.

Been busy, haven’t watched much. Only thing I really watched the last couple weeks is I finally finished Pluto. It was… fine. I was expecting more, based on the hype. There’s a lot I liked and a lot that should have been cut or changed from the source (in my opinion). The episodes are quite long, the pacing is all over the place, the story progression is flawed, and way too much happens to service the needs of the plot. Still, it was well produced. I liked the animation, style, music, characters, Japanese voice acting. I think it’s about as good as the source could allow. I think this opinion is kinda controversial, so hopefully not offending anybody too much.

Good week.

• Wrapped up Helck S1. It was good. Didn’t end super strongly, but I was satisfied. Overall, it ended up way higher rated than I was expecting and really enjoyed it. It’s silly, but has a lot of heart, and the world is better thought out than I was expecting. I hope they make a S2!
• Frieren still super good. It’s a shame the episodes are only 2 minutes long… or at least they feel that way…
• Solo Leveling finally got to its premise. I’m all about goofy video game life stuff. Enjoying it a lot.
• Apothecary Diaries - slowly catching up. I love the gravitas to everything. Maomao is a gem. I love the very very minimal fan service, considering how often brothels are a major part of the story.
• Pluto - about halfway. I dunno, it’s good, but I also kinda find it boring. I want to like this more than I am. The way the plot is progressing makes it hard to cheer for anybody, or even feel like we’re (as standins for the protagonists) actively learning and doing anything. It feels so reactionary and passive. The world is cool and I like a lot of the characters… but every 15 minutes it’s like oh hey here’s brand new people that are super important and there’s no way you could’ve known any of this.
• Still enjoying The Dangers in my Heart and Delicious in Dungeon a bunch. I’m definitely finishing both of these.

Actually had a decent amount of time this week to watch. Enjoying several of the new shows.

• Delicious in Dungeon - First two episodes were a urprisingly fun and well animated. Had no idea what this was and really liking it!
• Frieren - Still really good. Although I do miss having some small arcs instead of mostly self contained episodes. Feels like things haven’t been moving much lately.
• Solo Leveling - First two episodes were pretty good. Not sure where it’s going. Hasn’t blown me away.
• Apothecary Diaries - Still catching up. Somewhere in first cour, and it’s really good.
• 100 Girflriends - Finished S1. It was okay. I liked the completely absurd moments, and did not at all see some pivotal moments coming, which was fun. But the harem itself is hard for me to care about. I strongly dislike the child-like girlfriends. It’s hard to shake the yuckiness of those.
• The Dangers in my Heart - First episode of S2 so far. I love the vibes of this show. It feels so relatable and touching. This is likely a must-watch for me. I always feel so cozy after one of these.

More happening this season than I expected!

Wait they nuked those weekly threads? Wtf?? There goes about my only meaningful contribution. Guess it’s dead to me. I really like having a history of my thoughts on various shows, and if there’s no trust that it’ll exist in the future, then there’s no point posting.

Aww, I don’t think I’ve pointed it out, but I laugh each time. Thanks for putting in the effort.

Haven’t been able to watch much over holidays.

I did start a few episodes of Apothecary Diaries and instantly loved Maomao. Looking forward to catching up on that.

Wrapped up Girlfriend Girlfriend S2 and it was okay. I’m not sure I’ll continue if they make more.

Lighter season for me. Quite a lot I’d like to catch up on.

New:

• Frieren - my 2023 AOTY. This’ll be a must-watch.
• The Dangers in my Heart S2 - first season was so much better than I expected. Definitely check this out.
• Solo Leveling - know nothing about it, but there’s a lot of buzz, so I’ll try a couple episodes.

Catch-up:

• Apothecary Diaries - lots of buzz, but haven’t had time yet.
• Helck - almost finished. Enjoyed way more than I expected.
• The Eminence in Shadow S2 - stalled after a few episodes. Wasn’t in the right mood. Try again in winter.
• Pluto - only watched first episode. Good so far, but hasn’t captured me.
• 100 Girlfriends - almost finished. Didn’t like it as much as I expected, but I’m enjoying it more the wackier it gets.

Might finally find time for:

• Trigun (OG) - slowly tinkering through it.
• JJK - stalled somewhere in S1.
• Slime-san - somewhere in S2?
• Ancient Magus’ Bride

I had somewhat written SpyXFamily off after the second half of S1. I disliked several of the characters and it seemed to be going nowhere (especially a certain mini sports arc). But I’ve caught up with S2 now and it’s the most I’ve enjoyed the series since the first three episodes. Makes me way more optimistic for the future of the series.

Almost caught up with Helck and I didn’t think the extensive flashbacks were nearly as bad as I’d heard about. I thought it was pretty compelling and added a surprising depth to the world building. Still enjoying this one a lot.

I’m almost caught up with Girlfriend, Girlfriend and it’s not quite succeeding as much as the first season for me. The incredibly stupid moments of the beginning made up for the dumbness of the harem. I’m there for the dumb, and there’s only been a few moments I actually lol’d at. The sincere heartfelt moments don’t really work for me, since I think the concept of the harem is so ridiculous. Except maybe Shino. She’s so sincere and somewhat has a brain, so she feels like she might be an actual character.

I feel kinda similarly about 100 Girlfriends. I’m there for the ridiculousness, but they’ve been including several sincere moments that I struggle with. I’m pretty far behind here though. Maybe it gets better.

Ooooooh I didn’t know Frieren was continuing for next season! It’s really gonna get my aoty for 2 years in a row, isn’t it…

The others aren’t really jumping at me. Might be lighter for my tastes, so maybe I’ll catch up with all the stuff I missed from the current season.

Finally got some time to watch a bit:

• The Attack on Titan finale was great, imo. I think that pretty much secured it as my all time #1 for a completed series that’s more than 1 season. It’s not perfect, for sure, but it got so much right considering the weight of its story. Really liked it.
• Almost done with Castlevania Nocturne. I know many don’t really consider it anime, but it’s close enough I throw it in. I like it, but the stakes are harder to care about compared to the very engaging first season premise, and the characters aren’t quite as charming. Still a fun story and worth watching.
• Still keeping up with Frieren (phenomenal), and a bit behind in Helck, Eminence S2, Girlfriend Girlfriend, 100 Girlfriends, SpyXFamily. Enjoying them all.
• Tried first episode of Pluto and was imptessed. Throwing it on the to-watch mountain.
• Still need to get to Apothecary Diaries, Blue Eyed Samurai, and new Scott Pilgrim. This season has truly been ridiculous.

Oh and got a good lol from those examples of spicy takes. Almost spit out my coffee. Whew.