Seasonal Anime ImpressionsWinter 2021Part 5It's the grand finale! Are you excited? No? Well, that's fine. Below these last impressions there will be some overall thoughts on this season and an objective rough ranking of every anime that is important I watched this season. [The stuff in italics are the synopses taken straight from MAL]HorimiyaAlthough admired at school for her amiability and academic prowess, high school student Kyouko Hori has been hiding another side of her. With her parents often away from home due to work, Hori has to look after her younger brother and do the housework, leaving no chance to socialize away from school.Meanwhile, Izumi Miyamura is seen as a brooding, glasses-wearing otaku. However, in reality, he is a gentle person inept at studying. Furthermore, he has nine piercings hidden behind his long hair and a tattoo along his back and left shoulder.By sheer chance, Hori and Miyamura cross paths outside of school—neither looking as the other expects. These seemingly polar opposites become friends, sharing with each other a side they have never shown to anyone else.It seems like I've got to be controversial right out of the gate here: I am pretty ambivalent about this. Yes, this is good visually (the ED might deserve special mention) and yes, this is a romance anime where the main couple will probably be an actual couple within a few episodes (at least I hope so, else this would be rather stupid). And if that's enough to get you excited, by all means, check this anime out.BUT the whole set-up doesn't seem new or exciting, I might even go as far as saying it's "another one of these". This is a minor point but the opening scene involving their teacher is pretty weird on its own but made even weirder by the fact that this teacher just seems to have disappeared from this anime entirely. Seriously, why open the anime like this if all of it is almost entirely irrelevant.More importantly again, the characters don't seem to interesting. Hori is basically a tsundere and if I am supposed to be able to name a single character trait of Miyamura , the anime did not achieve its goal. Also this thing that is repeatedly stressed, that both of them have a hidden side or are totally different outside of school or whatever: Well, after reading the synopsis above, I think the normal reaction would be "What? Their 'hidden' sides are totally in line with their 'normal' sides". And, tbf, in the anime itself it's not quite as bad as that synopsis makes it seem but the changes between school and not-school still seem minor when we ignore appearances. And all of that might be because we didn't yet get to spend enough time with these characters and every issue I have might be resolved over time but if screen time was used more efficiently here, these issues wouldn't even have come up. Or, if efficiency isn't desirable here (for a more SoL feeling or whatever justification you might find), making us care about the characters should come before plot development for this kind of series.This is all not to say that this show is bad. It isn't and I'm even to some extent torn on whether to continue this. But I won't because it's just decent romance-y thing with no real reason to watch it over another one of those. There, I said it, do @ me.Dropped after 1 episode - 5/10Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu (Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation)Killed while saving a stranger from a traffic collision, a 34-year-old NEET is reincarnated into a world of magic as Rudeus Greyrat, a newborn baby. With knowledge, experience, and regrets from his previous life retained, Rudeus vows to lead a fulfilling life and not repeat his past mistakes.Now gifted with a tremendous amount of magical power as well as the mind of a grown adult, Rudeus is seen as a genius in the making by his new parents. Soon, he finds himself studying under powerful warriors, such as his swordsman father and a mage named Roxy Migurdia—all in order to hone his apparent talents. But despite his innocent exterior, Rudeus is still a perverted otaku, who uses his wealth of knowledge to make moves on women whom he could never make in his previous life. [sic]This is like the opposite situations than with Ex-Arm: If you watched the trailer, you might be disappointed by how this looks and sounds but if you didn't, you'd be amazed by the production value of this. Personally, I'd have been very surprised if the whole anime looked like the trailer. It's still very good looking though. Seriously, this is Studio Bind's first anime, the direction isn't super experienced either and yet we get something this beautiful. Sure, there are some little bits that don't look quite up to snuff but overall it's gorgeous to look at (This scene I think starts with the highest high and ends with the lowest low (visually) so far and this is an insanely high standard for both of these) The soundtrack is also great.But enough gushing because, let's be real here, this anime sucks. The premise is just the most generic isekai shit there is, the exposition is bad, boring scenes just take up too much time, the dialog isn't well written (as far as I can judge that from just subtitles) and I just absolutely hate the main character. He is terrible and I don't think the anime would agree with me on that point at all.I'd really wish all of this talent and effort was spent on a better source material (or something original for that matter). I can only say that I hate this but am excited about what Studio Bind will do next.Dropped after 17' - 5/10Wonder Egg PriorityA story of troubled girls, spun by screenwriter Shinji Nojima in the world of anime.Led by a mysterious voice while on a midnight stroll, 14-year-old girl Ai Ooto picks up an egg. The voice coaxes her: "If you want to change the future, you only need to choose now. Now, believe in yourself and break the egg."What awaits Ai after the breaking of the egg...I don't really want to say too much about this except: It's beautiful, wonderfully weird when it wants to be and the soundtrack is amazing as well. Just go and watch this.Not dropped - 5/10That's it for impressions for this season. Tenkuu Shinpan and Maiko-san Chi no Makanai-san are two more anime that I want to check out but they won't be released until February and thus not find a place in these Seasonal Anime Impressions. Sorry Tenkuu Shinpan and Maiko-san Chi no Makanai-san. You could have definitetly used the huge boost in pirated streams that my blog posts are giving you.Overall this season presents a lot of variety and also a decent level of quality in most directions that this variety goes in. Also there is just a crazy amount of sequels, including a lot of high profile ones that I'm not watching. I don't think there is gonna be an anime that just totally blows me away here though. This is not like last Winter season where we had Eizouken (in addition to Heya Camp (and also Id:Invaded, Pet, etc.)). Could these overall thoughts be any more boring? Let's just get straight into the ranking of first episodes.1 Yuru Camp△ Season 22 Wonder Egg Priority3 Beastars 2nd Season4 Ex-Arm (don't judge me, it's great fun)5 SK∞6 Kemono Jihen7 Yakusoku no Neverland 2nd Season8 2.43: Seiin Koukou Danshi Volley-bu9 Kai Byoui Ramune10 Vlad Love------------------------------------- ~~~THE DROP LINE~~~11 Horimiya12 Kumo Desu ga, Nani ka?13 Urasekai Picnic14 Project Scard: Praeter no Kizu15 Back Arrow16 Tenchi Souzou Design-bu17 Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu (not the worst one but the one I hate the most)Thanks for reading. Have a nice season.
Jan 15, 2021 • Subscribe
Dr. Ramune -Mysterious Disease Specialist-, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation, SK8 the Infinity, VLAD LOVE, Laid-Back Camp
More like this
Seasonal Anime Impressions - Winter 2021 - Part 1
Seasonal Anime ImpressionsWinter 2021Part 1Hi and welcome to "this thing with the title above", the only series of blog posts where I give my impressions of the first…
The Promised Neverland Season 2, Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, The Promised Neverland, Otherside Picnic, Steins;Gate
Seasonal Anime Impressions - Winter 2021 - Part 4
Seasonal Anime ImpressionsWinter 2021Part 4It's been a few days since the last one of these. While that means I will be less topical, ... Well that's actually all…
EX-ARM, Kemono Jihen, Welcome to Irabu's Office, MUSHI-SHI, Scar on the Praeter
Seasonal Anime Impressions - Winter 2021 - Part 3
Seasonal Anime ImpressionsWinter 2021Part 3Inexplicably anime keep on being released. Where are they coming from? What is their purpose? Are they heralds of disaster? Can there still be…
Seasonal Anime Impressions - Winter 2021 - Part 2
Seasonal Anime ImpressionsWinter 2021Part 2Am I really becoming someone who posts shitty anime review on the internet? No, these are impressions not review. Thus I am innocent on…
2.43: Seiin High School Boys Volleyball Team, Laid-Back Camp, Heaven’s Design Team
Seasonal Impressions: Winter 2021
While at first it was supposed to be a sequel dominated season, surprisingly even the new series are worth watching. Is this a one-in-a-lifetime thing or it only…
2.43: Seiin High School Boys Volleyball Team, Cells at Work!, When They Cry, Horimiya, The Promised Neverland
Seasonal Anime Impressions - Spring 2021 - Part 1
Seasonal Anime ImpressionsSpring 2021Part 1Hello Hello. I would open this blog post with some grand promises about how this is the only series of blog posts where you…
Weekly Seasonal Watches: Winter 2021 Anime Season Week 5
In terms of school work, this week was very busy. I had a lot of things to do and its only the third week of school this semester.…
Winter 2021 – First Impressions – Part 1
Just a few quick impressions of the shows I’ve seen so far… Mostly because I need to get ready for the busy few days ahead. Both IRL (have…
Winter 2021 First Impressions Part 2
So much anime, so little time…
Winter 2021 – First Impressions – Part 2
Just a few quick impressions of the shows I’ve seen so far… And I swear it’s completely happenstance that Part 2 is basically sequels… It’s not many shows,…
Winter 2021 First Impressions Part 1
So much anime, so little time…
Seasonal Impressions — Winter 2024
Sequels: Banished From the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside S2, Blue Exorcist Shimane Illuminati Saga, Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki 2nd Stage, Classroom…
Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki, Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki 2nd Stage, Classroom of the Elite, Shaman King, The Dangers in My Heart
Winter 2022 — Seasonal Impressions
Ongoing / Sequels: Arifureta, Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2 (ridiculous), Demon Slayer, How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom, Lupin the Third, Platinum End, Princess Connect!…
Attack on Titan, Platinum End, Princess Connect! Re:Dive, Ranking of Kings, Teasing Master Takagi-san
Winter 2023 — Seasonal Impressions
Sequels: Blue Lock, Bofuri S2, Bungo Stray Dogs, By the Grace of the Gods 2, Cardfight Vanguard, Danmachi, D4DJ All Mix, Don’t Toy With Me Miss Nagatoro 2,…
BLUELOCK, Bungo Stray Dogs, By the Grace of the Gods, By the Grace of the Gods 2, Cardfight Vanguard
Winter 2021 Anime: First Impressions
Bit late with this one for reasons, but here we go: my first “First Impressions” post of 2021. Without any further ado, here are my initial impressions of…
Cells at Work!, Show By Rock!!, Umamusume: Pretty Derby, World Witches Take Off!, Cells at Work!!
Winter 2021 Anime First Impressions
The winter 2021 anime season feels a bit like life in general: Things are starting to get back to normal. Many delayed series are finally airing both among…
Anime Top 5 – Winter 2021
My Stats. (*at time of writing)Shows watched from season: 24 (including 3 shorts, 14 sequels)Highest rating: 8/10Lowest rating: 1/10Average: 3.5 (Note: In most cases I will be avoiding…
2021 Winter Anime Season: First Impressions
It’s a brand-new year, so enjoy our First Impressions of the winter anime season that just started~ Otherside Picnic Studio: Felix Film, LIDENFILMS | Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery,…
Kaiseki Anime Ep. 91 — Winter 2022 Seasonal Impressions
What did you think of the latest season? Come hear what we thought!
Girls’ Frontline, Rusted Armors, Saiyuki, Saiyuki RELOAD: ZEROIN, She Professed Herself Pupil of the Wise Man
![Featured image for Stínolez’s Seasonal Roundup [Winter 2021]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20210413/1618354432.9968.34177.png)
Stínolez’s Seasonal Roundup [Winter 2021]
Hello, and welcome to my usual seasonal roundup, an article I do at the end of (almost) every season to summarize my thoughts on the shows…
Winter 2024 Anime First Impressions Part 1
If I write “part 1” in the title of this post, it not only encourages my loyal readerbase to come back for the second part, but it also…
Winter 2024 Anime First Impressions Part 1
If I write “part 1” in the title of this post, it not only encourages my loyal readerbase to come back for the second part, but it also…
Winter 2024 Anime First Impressions Part 2
I have limited love in my heart, or indeed enthusiasm. All of that enthusiasm shall be directed towards Bravern. There will be no enthusiasm left for anything else…
Winter 2023 Anime First Impressions part 2
My expression as I sit through more isekai anime before I finally have enough episodes of Vinland Saga stacked up to watch in one big cosy sitting. Except…
Winter 2023 Anime First Impressions part 1
When I first watched Vinland Saga, it was after having multiple wisdom teeth taken out. I was drugged up on painkillers and feeling sorry for myself, looking much…
Winter 2024 Anime First Impressions Part 2
I have limited love in my heart, or indeed enthusiasm. All of that enthusiasm shall be directed towards Bravern. There will be no enthusiasm left for anything else…
Animecast: Winter 2021 Anime Season First Impressions
The year of 2021 is starting off with an insane blast of great titles to be keeping an eye on. Join the hosts of the Otaku Spirit Animecast…
Kaiseki Anime Podcast Ep. 134 — Winter 2023 Seasonal Impressions
There are too many good shows this season!
Weekly Seasonal Watches: Winter 2021 Anime Season Week 2
My last free week before school starts again. Uh oh. Hmmm, I do feel a little more comfortable about things this week though. Just a little, because it’s…
Weekly Seasonal Watches: Winter 2021 Anime Season Week 12
A lot of late ending anime this season due to production issues behind it all and other things. I feel for them and hopefully everyone can complete their…
Weekly Seasonal Watches: Winter 2021 Anime Season Week 10
Pretty light week this time in regards to anime, but this is ok. This means that there is much more time to relax and work on different projects,…
Weekly Seasonal Watches: Winter 2021 Anime Season Week 9
Hmmm, I am beginning to question why people think recap episodes of one cour shows make sense to production studios. Especially since Wonder Egg actually isn’t complicated enough…
Weekly Seasonal Watches: Winter 2021 Anime Season Week 11
Oh hey, this coming week is the last full week of Mecha March and a pretty good make up week for all the shows that were delayed from…
Weekly Seasonal Watches: Winter 2021 Anime Season Week 3
School started again this past week, so this should be an interesting semester of anime and class. We shall see how this all goes or if I might…
Weekly Seasonal Watches: Winter 2021 Anime Season Week 13
Since this is a big transition week for anime, I decided to try something new for this coming season. I will be excluding Back Arrow though, because that…
Weekly Seasonal Watches: Winter 2021 Anime Season Week 7
You may notice that Promised Neverland Season 2 disappeared from this list and it’s on that limbo of being either dropped or pause right now. I haven’t been…
Weekly Seasonal Watches: Winter 2021 Anime Season Week 8
Besides Log Horizon just being lame and telling us back story for that already happened, but it was njust another good week for anime. Cells at Work season…
Weekly Seasonal Watches: Winter 2021 Anime Season Week 1
This week was hell, hasn’t it? Yeah, it just was. I am still not over the attempt of a coup from privileged people who felt like they could…
Weekly Seasonal Watches: Winter 2021 Anime Season Week 6
A relaxing week with some time off to think and consider work that I will do in the future. I kind of enjoy weeks like that. Also, snow.…
Weekly Seasonal Watches: Winter 2021 Anime Season Week 4
I honestly don’t have much to say here right now. Still just enjoying myself and such. Hope everyone is ok. Wonder Egg Priority Episode 3 This episode is…
Spring 2021 Anime First Impressions part 2
I have already warned you that this blog would be flooded with header images of Nagatoro for the next 3 months. Sorry, I don’t make the rules. Oh…
Spring 2021 Anime First Impressions part 1
You’re here to read my first impressions of the anime that came out this season, not to read an intro, so let’s just get right to it. Mars…
Weekly Seasonal Watches: Winter 2022 Anime Season Week 5
Rust-Eater Bisco Episode 4 So obviously this is the story of Bisco and Milo attempting to build some chemistry together. Especially with Milo learning how to not only…
Weekly Seasonal Watches: Winter 2023 Anime Season Week 5
Seasonal Watches So how are we five weeks into this season? How did that happen? I am going to have to start making that mid season post soon.…
Top 5 Anime Openings of Winter 2021
Hello and welcome back to Otaku Thursday! I hope you all enjoyed our Doki Doki Days last week–we certainly had fun with those posts! But now of course,…
![Featured image for Winter Anime 2021 Week 5 [Check-In]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20210208/1612779459.3492.25765.jpg)
Winter Anime 2021 Week 5 [Check-In]
Offering yet another great showing, Wonder Egg Priority pushes out a fourth episode that's in fantastic shape; Crafting a strong personality through thematic subtext that boiled elegantly into…
Horimiya, Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki, WONDER EGG PRIORITY
![Featured image for Week 5 of Winter 2021 Seasonal Anime In Review [January 29th to February 4th]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20210207/1612711663.3414.25678.png)
Week 5 of Winter 2021 Seasonal Anime In Review [January 29th to February 4th]
Week 5 of Winter 2021 Seasonal Anime In Review [January 29th to February 4th]
Horimiya – Winter 2021 Anime First Impressions (Spoiler‑Free)
Here’s how it goes: before the start of each new anime season, our readers vote on what series they’d like us to cover, and we review the first…
Winter 2021 New Anime – Friday, January 8th 2021 Part 2
It’s always a good day for anime, so I’m moving forward with the other couple of new episodes from last Friday. I’m pretty pleased with my progress thus…