Should You Watch It? Winter 2016 Edition

Fall 2015 Edition’s ThreadHey /r/anime, Banjo here!Another season of anime is upon us, and people are currently asking themselves the same question: what is good that is out right now? This is where I come in!Something that I do when I am not critiquing anime, composing an essay, or crying about Chu2Koi is what I have titled “Should You Watch It?” It started as a fun side project to showcase my initial thoughts on the shows I was watching, but has become something that people like to use to make informed decisions about what to watch, what to consider, and even what to drop.How does this work? Essentially, for most airing shows, I have seen the first three episodes and have made a judgment call for people looking to pick up an anime or not. In order to help streamline the process, I have created rankings to help with both clarification and ease of use. To reiterate: this is the “three-episode rule” at work, meaning that these conclusions are not infallible. However, it is a simple, early indicator for how the rest of the anime will generally proceed.Whether you put stock into such a rule or like my view on the matter is entirely up to you. However, as a means to get the community involved and to have has many views about a particular anime as possible, a section is included entitled “Another Perspective” (which was changed from “Dissenting Perspective”). For each anime, I have acquired a few words (with the user’s permission!) that look at the anime from a different angle (often in opposition to my own thoughts!) in the hopes that you can make a more informed decision about picking up a specific show or not.As always, this is just to help people figure out if a particular anime is right or wrong for him or for her. If you or anyone happens to disagree with my judgements (or the others), please voice your own perspective below since the more varying viewpoints that are had, the better the conversations will be, and therefore the better the decisions can be made.No more rambling! Let us start my "Should You Watch It?" Winter 2016 Edition!Here is how I rank the shows and what each ranking means:Drop It - do not bother watching it now or ever.Consider It - watch it if you enjoy the genre or try it out once it is completely done airing, even then you may not like it and forego it.Watch It - should be enjoyable for most anime viewers to watch as it airs or at least enjoyable enough to watch to completion.Must Watch It - if you are not watching this as it airs, you are seriously missing out.Using this system, you can just quickly check out each show's "ranking" without having to read every little detail that I put for each one. I will be going through these alphabetically with MAL links as well.(NOTE: Due to timing issues, the following anime are judged based on their first two episodes and not their first three episodes: Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! Apologies! :3)(NOTE: The “Another Perspective” quotes received total permission for usage before being written here!)Akagami no Shirayuki-hime 2nd SeasonConsider ItBanjo’s Perspective:Shirayuki, Zen, and the others return for the second half of their split-cour season. It is difficult to talk about the direction of this series without spoiling the first half, but suffice it to say it is not one that is fully welcomed. The anime is still pushing a pseudo-harem, the conflicts still revolve around “damsel in distress needs saving from her knight in shining armor,” and, perhaps worst of all, the anime is not even focusing on Shirayuki and Zen. It is very weird to witness. Still, the show is not without its welcome qualities. The art and animation is still top-notch, Shirayuki remains a fun character, and even the romantic moments, while infrequent, make one’s heart skip a beat. Hope is still there for the series. All it needs is to readjust its focus.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/Rinarin:“Akagami no Shirayuki-hime continues to follow the story of Prince Zen and Shirayuki, along with the rest of the colourful cast, in the same soothing pace and adorable visuals as the first season. The reason I like this isn't just because of the beautiful fairy tale like story but due to the characters and their interactions, too. I like how Zen and Shirayuki have progressed but the focus isn't just on romance but on how they each need to work towards their own goals as they overcome various challenges. I also love the rest of the cast, even some of the characters that felt like superficial antagonists at first have developed into characters I enjoy a lot. It's a show that takes a cliché fairy tale concept and makes it into something special, so do give it a try if you are in the mood for a feel good show!”Ansatsu Kyoushitsu (TV) 2nd SeasonDrop ItBanjo’s Perspective:Assassination Classroom returns for a second season, and it is as annoying as ever. The faux romance is frustrating, the students-as-assassins premise is absurd, and the dramatic moments are as ineffective as usual. And to top it all off, the anime is still way too childish for its own good. Ritsu, the computer girl, is the best character in the whole show, but she is infrequent in her on-screen appearances. To be fair, the ending song is, once again, a wonderful track to listen to. But one character and one song are not enough to make up for how lame the rest of the anime tends to be.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/JarJarBrinksSecurity:“Must Watch itAssClass is one of the must watch shounens that has come out in recent years. Amidst the "I have friends" power-ups and cliche boob grabs, AssClass throws all that out the window and does what it wants. The comedy is on point. Koro-sensei brings the funnies and the class follows up. In most shows, you have 2-5 main characters. In AssClass, you have a full class of about 20+ students. Each character has their own personality and backstory that makes them better than the average shounen MC. There's even an AI who is more interesting. But, even though this show has the most ridiculous plot, it has themes that most of us can relate to. Bullying, self-confidence issues, etc. AssClass is one of the best WSJ adaptations, imho, and should not be passed up.”Ao no Kanata no Four RhythmConsider ItBanjo’s Perspective:In Ao no Kanata, flying is no longer a dream but a reality. With “Grav-Shoes” in tow, Kurashina, Tobisawa, and the other characters take to the skies. Although they fly not necessarily for fun but for competition. “Flying Circus,” the sport they play, brings them all together to experience highs and lows as well as each other. The visuals are nice and the characters are cute, but the anime’s major problem is one that it simply cannot have: Flying Circus is boring. The sport they play is not entertaining to watch because there is a distinct lack of tension. The show tries to make the sport complex and interesting, but the low emotional output ruins its chances. To be fair, the dynamic between the endearing, bottom-of-the-barrel Kurashina and the retired, best-to-play-the-game Hinata (aka, “Coachie”) should develop both characters nicely over the course of the anime. But until Flying Circus gets more interesting, this one will remain grounded.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/cloudflow:Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm makes an idea dated twice over (Kizu hype?) fresh again. Two episodes in and I’m already entranced by a jaw-droppingly gorgeous setting, a simple yet intriguing cast of characters, and an atmospheric soundtrack. The story follows the exploits of Asuka Kurashina, a transfer student to a school situated on a picturesque island (the background work is stunning). The other main characters are Teenage Boy Protagonist, the lazy onee-sama, and the clingy kohai, respectively. However, I’m interested in them, because not only do they operate with an energetic rapport that reminds me of a Gainax leading cast, or of the characters in this season’s Musaigen no Phantom World, but we already have glimpses into why they act as they do. The first three episodes have left a trail of easily digestible bread crumbs that will hopefully lead to some loaves. I believe the strength of Visual Novels to be that they have the space to elaborate on characters and make an amusing, tropey main cast have substance and meaning. AoKana has reasonably fast pacing and excellent production values (even the CG looks pretty good), so I’m hopeful that it can overcome the biggest hurdle of a VN adaptation: adequately fleshing out character arcs. Those arcs will ultimately make or break the show, but I’d recommend investing this one if you don’t mind high school settings that are actually going somewhere.Boku dake ga Inai MachiMust Watch ItBanjo’s Perspective:As one of the top airing anime, Erased is a thriller that will grab you by the collar from the very beginning and never let go. The story is gripping and dramatic. The characters are emotional and real. And the music, the artistic direction, and the voice acting is superb (a special shout-out to Shinnosuke Mitsushima as Satoru, the main protagonist; in his first ever role, he sounds like a veteran of the medium). This one is doing everything right as of this moment, and for now, it does not seem to be veering from its path.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/DHKany:“What can you expect from Erased? Well, if top notch story writing, well developed characters and off the chart production values are your kind of thing, then this is pretty much the show for you. The characters in particular sell the show so well, to the point where I’d say that they’re some of the best characters I’ve watched on screen in quite some time (especially amongst airing shows). They aren’t on dimensional cardboard cutouts of some tropes. They struggle, they’re imperfect, and they don’t have all the answers, which gives them a rather profoundly ‘human’ feel to them, allowing me to get completely invested in their struggles. In particular, the mom is developed extremely well over the course of the three episodes, and for the first time in quite some time, the adult figure in a show is not only relevant, but freakin AWESOME. Watch it. Nao.”Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/ReVaQ:“After having watched Sakurako-san, it made me realize how sparse (good) mystery anime-shows are; but thankfully ERASED comes out of nowhere. It may not be all too original with time hop and murder solving case, but it is more in its execution that I would heartly recommend the show as it is now. The thing with mystery shows is that it requires you to have a leap of faith that it will be interesting later on when it concludes, and if they do not solve anything, they tend to drag out. But amazingly this show slowly sews you in, stitch after stich with its well done plot, creating an episodical climax which continuously sews you into the story and does not fail to give a thrill preluding it. Let’s hope A-1 and Tomohiko stitches together a scenery worthwhile, for they sure will have to regain my trust in them after the failure SAO and other shows of theirs.”Dagashi KashiConsider ItBanjo’s Perspective:Dagashi Kashi is supposed to be a story about candy, but this anime has only one (technically two) things going for it: cute girls. Hotaru, the candy-loving, happily-energetic, and crazy-sexy girl is the best part of the show, but Saya, the simple girl who makes a good cup of Joe, is not far behind. Beyond Hotaru and Saya, the anime quickly falls apart: the candy information is educational but boring, the comedy is not as funny as the anime thinks it is, and the rest of the cast is very forgettable. Contextually speaking, this one’s store is lacking stock.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/SirPrize:“Dagashi Kashi is a pretty sweet show about candy. This show had some preseason hype behind it that I feel mislead people as to what they should expect from the series. Many people saw Hotaru and while she is the face of the series, the ‘Dagashi’ is the real star. Some people who have had these treats growing up may find a good dose of nostalgia in the series. I myself, have never had these cheap candies but do have a sweet tooth and find learning about them very interesting. And that is what the show is (so far), setting up a skit so that they can talk about the properties of a specific Dagashi. Other than that it’s a pretty relaxing show with an art style I enjoy (those eyes).”Dimension WWatch ItBanjo’s Perspective:Dimension W is about a world where unlimited energy exists due to the presence of “coils.” However, Kyouma, an ex-military man, has cut himself off from these incredible devices entirely. But after a chance encounter with Mira, a not-quite-robot-yet-not-quite-human girl powered by coils, he finds himself looking after her. The cyberpunk setting is cool as is the action. And while not all of the characters are interesting, Mira is a cute character and Kyouma is a good dude even if he is rough around the edges. Their dynamic is less-than-friendly right now (mostly thanks to Kyouma), but it shows promise. The anime is not doing anything exceedingly well, but it is, if nothing else, well put together.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/Inami_Punch:“Dimension W has several of the elements that would make a great show. An interesting sci-fi concept that hasn’t been done before. An adorable cat girl robot. However, it also falls prey to many of the worn out tropes that can put viewers to sleep.Kyouma Mabuchi is your run-of-the-mill MC with a dark background who is indifferent or worse towards those around him. Worst of all perhaps, is excellent skill with throwing “knives,” able to strike any target with unbelievable accuracy. Overpowered MC or overrated skill? Yawn.The antagonists also are uninteresting and mostly dry. However, presumably, they will become more involved when it is revealed that Kyouma is in possession of Dr. Yurizaki’s greatest invention, a robotic cat girl named Mira.Three episodes in and the overall plot or how the show will move forward has not been revealed. Dimension W clearly shows promise, but we will see if the show can pick up its pace while not feeling rushed during the finale.”Durarara!!x2 KetsuConsider ItBanjo’s Perspective:DRRR, now in its fourth and maybe final season, is ready to wrap everything up. All of the major conflicts are coming to a head (pun intended), even the ones that stretch all the way back to the first season. Yet the show is still introducing new characters and the show is still a bit too vague with some of its characters and their motivations. And it is still unclear how every plotline for and between every character is going to be resolved within nine episodes. At the minimum, this season has finally crossed a lot of the characters together, crossings that has created some interesting hijinks. To be honest, this season of DRRR is basically for those that have followed this long journey since the beginning, meaning all that is left is to see how it all goes out with a bang.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/porpoiseoflife:“There are stories everywhere you turn in bad ol' Ikebukuro. Some are simple, others complex. That is DRRR at its greatest, capturing snapshots of some not-quite-normal everyday people leading their not-quite-normal everyday lives. And with the fourth season, they all come to a head. (Literally, in one case.) This is not one of those simple easy high school stories where you can rely on grand themes to get the general thrust, but one where you have to pay attention to what is being said in order to understand what is going on. And for those willing to pay attention, they will always be rewarded with rich and nuanced storytelling about people who are rarely what they appear to be.”Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri 2nd SeasonConsider ItBanjo’s Perspective:Returning for a second season (technically the second half of the split-cour), Gate takes a decidedly darker turn. The realities of war are surfacing to the forefront, characters are more devilish than ever, and the plot is certainly thickening. Still, the anime is only just now starting to focus on the official group after ignoring them for so long. Also, the third episode was handled poorly, perhaps the worst episode in the entire series. At the minimum, the Japanese propaganda has been turned down a few notches, but considering where it was at before, that is not saying a whole lot. There is potential in this one, but whether or not it will take advantage of it remains to be seen.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/aniMayor:“Check It Out If You Enjoyed The Start Of Part One - Just like its predecessor, Part 2 of this series is not interested in giving much detail to its world-building nor showing any realistic diplomacy or politics. But unlike the weak middle and latter sections of Part 1 that deviated away from the Japan-meets-fantasy-land aspects into awkward cabinet meetings and laughable covert ops, Part 2 has returned to its roots, focusing once again upon the entertaining military and diplomatic exchanges beyond the Gate, as well as the bumbling adventures of our main protagonist.”Hai to Gensou no GrimgarWatch ItBanjo’s Perspective:Grimgar is meant to mirror the “stuck in a video game” trope, but it twists it in a new direction. Rather than the main group kicking butt and acquiring riches, Haruhiro, Yume, and the others struggle to survive in a world that is as real as any other. The water-color art is beautiful, but it is the down-to-Earth and simple characters that achieve this sense of realism. They are not flashy or unique or quirky. They are normal. They are people. And it is working. What is not working is the subtle-but-not-really fan-service that is unnecessary. A shot of Yume’s behind that is clearly done to view her butt or the anime drawing attention to Shihoru’s large breasts take away from the atmosphere and the setting that the show is crafting. Hopefully these obtuse instances are removed from here on out because this one is doing a lot right at the moment.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/purplepinapples:“Before watching this, I was actually pretty excited about this show. It had some amazing visuals, and Im not completely fed up with the stuck in a video game genre (If I can call it that) so I thought I'd give it a try.Overall, I didn't like this show. Its saving grace would be the visuals/animation, which without, I wouldn't have lasted the first episode.Its pretty lacking in the directing department, especially fight scenes, and it relies too much on exposition. In my opinion, it fails to use dialogue correctly. In a show, you should be able to convey something with dialogue. Whether it be setting the tone, relationships between characters, advancing the plot, what have you. I didn't feel like the writing and the dialogue in this show was meaningful. It didn't interest me.”HaruChika: Haruta to Chika wa Seishun SuruDrop ItBanjo’s Perspective:P.A. Works has this incredible ability to go from amazing highs (Shirobako, NagiAsu) to incredible lows (Charlotte, Glasslip). This season, the studio finds itself on the back end. HaruChika wants to be a lot of things, all of which it is bad at. As a romance, those feelings are not present. As a drama, the episodic format makes it nigh impossible to feel anything for the characters. And as a comedy, the humor does not fit among the other genres. Right now, the anime is in disarray, and no amount of instrument playing or mystery solving will fix it.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/jiaxunjason:“Haruta to Chika wa Seishun Suru, or Haruchika for short, is a story of the titular characters, Haruto and Chika. Story focuses on the two of them, trying to convince a new character to join the school band each episode. Chika is an adorkable klutz who aspires to be an "Ojou-sama", and Haruto who is calculating, perceptive, and at times brutally honest and even ruthless. The show itself has plenty to offer; It has a unique duo of protagonists, a varied and colourful cast, a beautiful artstyle, and emotional stories. However, the show is not without it's flaws. It suffers from poor animation, and giving only one episode to each of the side characters makes the show feel rushed and unpolished. Despite these flaws however, HaruChika remains one of the best shows this season, and one that everyone should at least check out.”Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!Must Watch ItBanjo’s Perspective:As the premiere comedy this season, KonoSuba is a parody of the “stuck in an MMORPG” anime that have come about in recent years. Its best feature, however, is the lovable cast. Kazuma’s irritated attitude is mean but warranted. Aqua is a doofy, adorable goddess one moment and a giant, useless crybaby the next. Megumin is “chuunibyou” through-and-through. And “Darkness,” just with her introduction alone, seems like she will inevitably add even more awesomeness to the cast. Besides the characters, the jokes are smart, the setting is homely, and the reaction faces are priceless. Combined with the wonderful music and the nice art, this anime is a joy to behold (and a special shout-out to the ED, which has quickly become one of my favorite EDs of all-time).Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/Totenkopfgitarrist:“If you are looking for compelling stories, surprising worldbuilding, intelligent character actions or tense battles - all of that isn't found in Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!, because it's plain stupid. And as negative as this sounds, that's the biggest strength for this parody to the typical "Otaku dies and revives as a fantasy hero"-trope. But instead of just clinging to meta-humour and forced situations Studio Deen uses the quirky characters and their natural behaviour to let the punchlines flow into each other. On the level of "It's so stupid that it's funny again!" this anime entertains with its likeable cast and their reaction faces so much that one episode is over before you remembered to start eating your popcorn. Fans of light-hearted fantasy, comedy or popcorn-anime should give this one a chance... watch it!”Musaigen no Phantom WorldConsider ItBanjo’s Perspective:Disregarding the studio behind Phantom World – since that is where most of the controversy lies – this anime is currently lackluster. The plot is not engaging, and the characters, despite (presumably) two more members left to be officially included, are flat. Worse still, the “same” set of events occur – the group has trouble with their job, some fan-service is thrown in, and the group eventually succeeds. To be fair, fan-service segments like Mai’s boob-limbo are inventive and the cuteness levels are off the charts. The art and animation are likewise high in execution. Even so, the anime has a lot of work to do in its other areas before it can be seen in a purely positive color.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/RandomRedditorWithNo:“In the near future, a biochemical attack changes the brain chemistry of the general public so that “phantoms”, a broad term for ghosts, monsters, and other supernatural beings, become visible. Most phantoms are harmless but there are a few that obstruct the flow of daily life and are a danger to the public. Luckily the chemical accident causes breastfed children to develop superpowers to combat and seal the phantoms. Haruhiko, Mai, Reina and Koito form a team to do just this, and through their exploits, begin to uncover what lies behind the attack.For the moment, this show has no plot to speak of, and goes heavy on the fan service. But I’m don’t think you can criticize it for trying to be something that it’s not. It features an all-star cast (Keima from TWGOK, Rika and Dekomori from Chuunibyou and Hatoko from Inou-Battle as four of the main cast) and the BGM is pretty much always on point. While there is fanservice, this is KyoAni fanservice, which means no direct pantyshots and the stuff you do see is really well animated . Phantom World is engaging its audience. According to MAL even after the three episode rule, less than 3% of people that have taken it up have dropped it. It’s a battle harem. The expectations really aren’t that high. If you want a good plotline, I recommend Boku dake ga inai Machi or Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu. If you wanted to enjoy your anime, I recommend Musaigen no Phantom World.”Ojisan to MarshmallowWatch ItBanjo’s Perspective:Marshmallows are part of what make s’mores so great. And as Ojisan to Marshmallow proves, marshmallows also make anime great. In this three-minute short, Hige, an older gentleman who loves marshmallows, and Wakabayashi, a woman who loves Hige, interact in adorable ways. While Hige is unfortunately as oblivious as every other main protagonist, the adult-oriented jokes, the simplicity, and the quickness of the series make the whole package fun, s’mores or otherwise.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/Illus24:“It's literally about a girl trying to seduce her middle-aged coworker using marshmallows as bait. The selling points of this show are the girl's weird personality and approaches making it fun and somewhat cute at the same time. While I don't expect any explanation as to why she likes him or any major development it's a nice little show worth spending 3-4 minutes per week on.”Oshiete! Galko-chanConsider ItBanjo’s Perspective:Girl talk galore. Oshiete follows three high-school girls of various backgrounds, all while they answer some embarrassing questions that most men would never outright ask of another woman. As a man myself, it is no doubt interesting hearing these conversations. However, the jokes are not that funny, the opening song lasts too long, and Ojou, one of the main girls, is clearly shafted on screen-time. Given that this one is a short – approximately eight minutes per episode – these small problems are bigger than one would think.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/MissyPie:“Galko-chan is unique in that it's one of the few anime I've ever seen that really tackles "girl talk". No, not talking about which idol they like best, but real girl talk. In just three episodes they've discussed hairy butts, periods, uteruses and inverted nipples. It's awesome, and a great change of pace from the usual inane chatter (if there is any) that takes place between most female anime characters. I'm not saying it's extremely realistic, it's just... refreshing! And it does it hilariously, which is a plus.It has enjoyable characters, although they are quite stereotypical so far. Galko-chan is the character who's broken her mould the most so far, showing us that she's not afraid to look nerdy or talk about 'dirty' subjects, despite her popular girl attitude/looks. Ojou and Otako are fun supporting characters, and I hope they get a chance to shine in future episodes. All in all I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys hilarious comedies, and I'd recommend it to women especially! Plus it's only 8 minutes, so why not give it a try. :)”Saijaku Muhai no BahamutDrop ItBanjo’s Perspective:Saijaku manages to be one of the only “ecchi” anime this season. Now, that does not automatically mean it is awful. In fact, it gives the show some uniqueness compared to the other offerings…until the contents within are seen. In this anime, a boy (who is presumably the worst but is actually the best) goes to a school (that is all girls except for him) where he tries to live normally (every girl wants him in one way or another) as he fights alongside them (in robot suits). Every love interest fits a niche – ditzy big boobs, cool ice-queen, “tsundere” main, concerned “imouto,” and so on. And the writing is as mediocre as it can get. Due to its “ecchi” roots, half-naked women, peeping scenes, and lewd boob-grabs are the norm, and the romance and cuteness of the girls is fun. But that is just not enough to save this one.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/WingsOfLight:“Saijaku is this season’s generic harem fantasy battleschool LN adaptation and what you get is basically that. It doesn’t do anything really outstanding or bring anything unique to that genre. However just because it has the same elements doesn’t mean that it's awful or boring. It's a show that knows exactly what it is and it rolls with it. Because of this, it does what it's trying to do well. It's decently animated, has nice looking character designs and characters that are pretty much all around likable even if they are trope-ish. The main tsundere isn’t very tsun and very much dere and the MC, while very much your generic MC, isn’t bland/dull/monotone and has some great comedic reactions. As a result, the show is strangely enjoyable. This is a show you sit back to once a week on Monday, turn off your brain and enjoy. This show is perfect for doing that sort of thing.”Sekkou BoysConsider ItBanjo’s Perspective:Just when you thought anime could not get any more ridiculous, Sekkou Boys pops up. Starring busts sculpted in the likeness of famous, historical figures who are making a name for themselves in the idol world, this anime is just plain silly. Miki, their manager and an ex-artist who loathes sculptures, stands by their side, bringing most of the comedy with her. Once the novelty wears off, however, the anime has very little else going for it. Luckily, each episode is only eight minutes long, so it is not too much of a chore to see some inanimate objects complain about the moving world around them.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/andehh_:“Sekkou Boys is funny in theory. You have this boy band comprised entirely of talking sculptures -Saint George, Medici, Mars, and Hermes to be precise- and the majority of the cast plays this straight which just makes the situation all the more absurd. In practice however, the gag wears thin very quickly which leaves Sekkou Boys without any redeeming qualities. It’s a short so naturally it doesn’t have the budget for stunning animation, the background music is grating, and the barebones story is merely a device to set up the unremarkable comedy. Sure enough different types of humour resonate with different people but I don’t believe Sekkou Boys has enough lasting appeal even for those who are currently enjoying it.”Shoujo-tachi wa Kouya wo MezasuWatch ItBanjo’s Perspective:Sometimes it is hard to know what you want to do or where you want to go next. And for Houjou of Shoujo-tachi, he felt the same way. That is until Kuroda, the silent beauty of the school, gave him the direction he needed: “bishoujo” visual novels. Alongside Yuuki, Andou, Yuuka, and Atomu, this unlikely club has come together to try and create a VN that will shake the industry. The characters and the comedy are surprisingly on-point: Kuroda is the best among them mostly due to her honest interactions, and Yuuki secretly wanting to draw “hentai” more than anything else is pretty funny. Its biggest problem is the lack of plot; there is no story to speak of. How the show will address this issue of no issues remains to be seen, but the show has definitely started out on the right foot.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/FateSteelTaylor:“Shoujo-tachi wa Kouya wo Mezasu is by no means one of my favorites of the season, but even with other strong shows, it definitely has my attention. The humor is on point, with plenty of hat tips to other popular Visual Novels and anime and a lot of other self-referential jokes, like how well known voice actress Hanazawa Kana voices, well, a girl who aspires to be a voice actress. The cast of characters don’t feel like they’re too cliché, and it’s early, but they seem to have a good mix of chemistry and well-defined roles. The art and music are solid and we've laid the groundwork in the first three episodes, so with some good writing that sets up the rest of the cour, this anime could end up being one of the pleasant surprises of the season.”Shouwa Genroku Rakugo ShinjuuWatch ItBanjo’s Perspective:“Rakugo” is the Japanese art of telling stories, and in Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu, a story about these storytellers takes shape. The characters are very strong, the narrative is framed nicely, and the artistic direction is superb. All of this says nothing about the symbolism and the music that are likewise top-notch. On a purely technical level, the anime is nailing it. So what is the problem? The problem with the series right now is that it is not wholly captivating or exciting. The anime is slow and there is not a lot going on emotionally. Even the rakugo performances, a main draw of the show, are missing appeal. To be fair, the anime is carefully laying the groundwork, so it is to be expected that the excitement is low from the get-go. This one is certainly poised for greatness, but whether or not it will reach such storied heights is still unknown.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/Sinrus:“For a show about storytellers, Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinju has some poor ideas of how to tell a story. Rakugo’s first episode was incredible, probably the best of any show this season. In 47 minutes, it established three complex major characters in Yotaro, Konatsu and Yakumo, hinted at future conflicts because of Yotaro’s criminal past, laid the groundwork for a great romance story, and most excitingly, established a compelling mystery about the shared history of Yakumo and Sukeroku. I was eagerly looking forward to seeing the mystery of Sukeroku’s life and death slowly and dramatically unfold. Instead, the episode ended with an announcement that Yakumo was about to tell them everything. And oh by the way – it’s going to take three or four episodes to do it. Compared to the characters in the present, young Yakumo and Sukeroku are honestly pretty boring. There are very little compelling interactions and even less conflict. By the time the flashback ends, twice as much screentime will have been spent decades in the past as in the present, which is where all the interesting characters are. Don’t get me wrong, the backstory isn’t bad, but for a show with such an excellent episode one, it’s extremely disappointing how the pacing and suspense it established has been thrown away.”Final Totals:Drop It: 3Consider It: 8Watch It: 5Must Watch It: 2Banjo's Top Three Picks:1 Boku dake ga Inai Machi2 Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!3 Shouwa Genroku Rakugo ShinjuuBanjo's Beginning Awards:Strongest First Episode: Shouwa Genroku Rakugo ShinjuuCharacter with Highest Potential: Satoru Fujinuma of Boku dake ga Inai MachiThe Underdog: Ao no Kanata no Four RhythmBest Girl of the Season: Mai of Musaigen no Phantom WorldSequeliest Sequel: Akagami no Shirayuki-hime 2nd SeasonRockin' OPs:“Re:Re:” of Boku dake ga Inai Machi; look at his broken glasses carefully!“Genesis” of Dimension W; cool dance moves!DRRR SERIES SPOILER WARNING: “Steppin’ Out” of Durarara!!x2 Ketsu; give them a high five!Jammin' EDs:“Chiisana Boukensha” of Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo; their silly expressions!“Kawa, Taredoki” of Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu; shapes and colors!“Hey! Calorie Queen” of Dagashi Kashi; Saya in Candyland!(All OPs and EDs were provided courtesy of /r/AnimeThemes. Go check them out! :3)And that is it! As always, I do not drop anything myself; when I complete the anime here, I will be reviewing them in full. But that is for another day. For now, I am appreciative towards any and all who perused what I have written. Also, a huge thank you to everyone who gave me permission to use their quotes here in my post. Doing so has elevated this thread beyond what it normally is, and for that I am truly grateful.I hope that the community continues to enjoy this Winter 2016 anime season to its fullest! :3 http://ift.tt/1Nz2U3F