It’s hard to know where Nippon Sengoku is headed intellectually and ideologically after one episode. Read more
First Impressions
First Impressions – Akane-banashi
The opportunity for Watanabe Ayumu to really riff here is, of course, the rakugo. Read more
First Impressions – Mao
I don’t know if anything could be more classic Rumiko than Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!!, but you’d sure never mistake this for anyone else’s work. Read more
First Impressions – Yomi no Tsugai (Daemons of the Shadow Realm)
The obvious word that springs to mind after that episode is “sasuga”. Read more
Mairimashita! Iruma-kun 4th Season – 01
Don’t feel badly about getting swept up in Iruma’s enthusiasm, Purson, because no one in Heaven – or Hell – and Earth can resist it. Read more
First Impressions – Koori no Jouheki (The Ramparts of Ice)
The proof is in the pudding, as they say. And what I’d say is that this series immediately hits very, very differently than Seihantai. Read more
First Impressions – Kirio Fanclub
I didn’t hate this premiere, but I can’t say that I liked it either. Read more
First Impressions – Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!! (Go For it, Nakamura-kun!!)
This couldn’t be more 1990’s if it carried around a Beanie Baby and a VHS to return to Blockbuster. Read more
Sousou no Frieren (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End) 2nd Season – 01
I hope there will be time for a few more eps like this one, because they cut right to the essence of this series like nothing else does. Read more
First Impressions – Prism Rondo
Love Through a Prism is every bit as gorgeous in terms of art direction as you’d expect a Wit series to be. Read more