Should You Watch It? Summer 2016 Edition

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Should You Watch It? Spring 2016 Edition

Winter 2016 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 situation is where I and my “Should You Watch It?” thread come in!Essentially, for many of the airing shows, I have seen the first three episodes and have made a judgment call for people looking to pick up the 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.”For each anime, I have acquired a few words (with the users’ 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 stronger the conversations will be, and therefore the better the decisions can be made.No more rambling! Let us start my "Should You Watch It?" Spring 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, but, 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: Koutetsujou no Kabaneri, Sakamoto desu ga?. Apologies! :3)(NOTE: The “Another Perspective” quotes received total permission for usage before being written here!)Bakuon!!Watch ItBanjo’s Perspective:Motorcycling has never been so cute. For the girls of Bakuon!!, they enjoy life the only way they know how: riding motorcycles. Much of the allure of the show comes from the comedy and the character interactions. Rin being the brunt of the jokes, Hane simply enjoying life, and Raimu never speaking provide the cast with more than enough opportunities to bring about hilarity. Like most slice-of-life anime, this show does not have a focused story to speak of, but, if one is looking for a fun “cute girls doing cute things” anime, this one is revving up to be just that.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/Taiboss:“Something I noticed recently in anime is that comedy usually comes from the absurdness of a situation. While some shows do this in a rather mundane fashion, there are some shows which are just plain ridiculous. Gintama is a rather popular example. A little less known, but no less funny one is Sabagebu, in which every air soft gun behaves like a real gun because that’s how the girls imagine it. Similarly, Spring 2016 has a show in which the characters are not quite normal. That’s to say, everyone in Bakoun is totally fucking bonkers. Our protagonist is the naive Hane, who learns to ride a motorcycle just by listening to her school’s bike. Alongside her we have:The strangely relaxed and quite mischievous Onsa, who compares brand loyalty to only ever being with one lover.Wannabe-tsundere and #1 Suzuki fangirl Rin, who wants to have friends but fails spectacularly because the others just don’t play along with her antics.Rich girl Hijiri, whose only experience with motorcycles is biker movies like James Deen‘s “Rebel Without a Cause” and who gets her butler to do the craziest of stunts with her in the sidecar, and of courseThe mysterious Raimu-senpai, who is essentially the Stig and has been there since basically forever.Together, they form the Okanoue Girls High School Motorcycle club and go on road trips to eat some midnight ramen, hold races, and drop some actual bike knowledge along the way.TL;DR: It's K-On meets Top Gear on drugs, with less tea, cake, and music, but more mindfuckery, people acting like complete dicks, and everyone being off their goddamn knocker. It‘s amazing.”Boku no Hero AcademiaMust Watch ItBanjo’s Perspective:“It’s fine now. Why? Because I am here.” In Boku no Hero Academia, those with Quirks become lauded heroes, and those without Quirks – the “Quirkless” – live normally while relying on the heroes around them. Midoriya, a Quirkless boy, follows all of the heroes, is the biggest fan of All Might (the greatest hero of all time), and dreams of becoming a hero himself. The anime is just getting started, but its wonderful art, rousing music, and strong themes on what it truly means to be a hero make that original quote more than relevant.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/illtima:"I find it difficult to find anything truly appealing about Boku no Hero Academia. Its premise was done before, its protagonist is just your typical ‘underdog with no powers,’ first three episodes were incredibly lackluster in smooth and well-choreographed action department that BONES is known for, and any sort of dramatic tension that some scenes could've achieved, were completely ruined by the protagonist's borderline emoji facial expressions. If there's one thing that I really like about the show it's the character of All Might. While he does appear to be just a ‘Everything is right! I'm here to save the day!’ cheesy kind of hero, there's actually a very human and vulnerable side to his character that only makes him more inspirational.However, with all that said, I did enjoy episode 3 and perhaps with the introduction of new cast members and new super powers the show might make a turn-around."Bungou Stray DogsConsider ItBanjo’s Perspective:Bungou Stray Dogs stars Atsushi, a penniless boy clearly in need of some help. Alongside a zany cast of characters – a suicide aficionado, an OCD journal user, and a girl whose incestuous feelings are more than overt – Atsushi finds himself helping the Armed Detective Agency. The art, especially the comedic style that contrasts with the realism, is nice. But the repetitive look at Atsushi’s background, the lack of world building, and the uninteresting characters (despite their superficial characteristics) make the anime a book that may only be worth renting.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/Pirate_of_the_Stars:“Bungou Stray Dogs is definitely one of the best shows this season. Nakajima Atsushi gets kicked out of his orphanage and is starving on the streets when he decides to rob the next person to pass him. However, instead of robbing the next person to pass him by, he ends up saving a man happily trying to drown himself in a river. This man, Dazai Osamu, and his colleague Kunikida treat Atsushi to lunch, where they reveal they are part of a detective agency that is rumored to employ people with supernatural abilities. Although the plot may not have you hooked, the hilarious, lovable cast of characters will. Atsushi is a loyal ‘pathetic human being’ that will take just about any job that helps keep him fed. Dazai is a happy-go-lucky guy that wants nothing more than to kill himself, much to the annoyance of his colleague Kunikida, who obsess over schedules and going by the book. With an interesting plot, hilarious characters, and full scale Bones reaction faces, this show is sure to make you laugh and get you pumped for another episode.”Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/TheHaruWhoCanRead:“Bungou Stray Dogs does a ton of things that make it one of the most interesting anime of the season. It's written & directed by the same team who made Ouran High School Host Club, and the spirit of that show is written all over Bungou’s humor and style. It’s like if Ouran was about a team of steampunk-noir private eyes. The animation is gorgeous, and the creators really want you to take the time to look at it, too. Unusually for an anime of this genre, the ‘gaze’ of it is very feminine/queer. In other words, the show chooses to focus on images and themes that appeal to that audience, and it’s a really unique perspective to tell this kind of story from. Big tonal swings might be a turn off for some, but overall the balance is great. Tune in for old ideas presented in exciting new ways.”Concrete Revolutio: Choujin Gensou – The Last SongWatch ItBanjo’s Perspective:Justice returns in roaring fashion. Concrete Revolutio: Choujin Gensou – The Last Song is the continuation that follows Jiro, Kikko, and the other superhumans as they wage war against each other – all in the name of justice. The non-chronological narrative is not as prevalent, meaning the second half is a bit easier to follow weekly. What fully carried over is the strong themes, the weird characters, and the cool art style. This one’s biggest problem? The direction of the story is still unclear. Assuming the first season was mostly (good) setup, the second season has continued the episodic approach, making one wonder (with only nine episodes left) where the narrative is heading and whether or not it will end succinctly. Still, suffice it to say that justice never tasted so sweet.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/blindfreman:“Whip out your almanacs folks, because it’s time for another season of Tokusatsu’s Wild Ride. Whereas many people extol Concrete Revolutio for its themes of justice, peace, and freedom, I’m here to temper those high expectations. Season 2 continues (or prequels? It’s hard to tell sometimes) where the first season left off, with Jiro and company fighting to preserve superhumans’ place in society. While the surface premise is intriguing, the show falls flat when it comes to characterization. The ambitious goal of using these superhumans as a vehicle for the main themes unfortunately does not mix well with their lack of pathos and relatability. This problem is exacerbated with the back-and-forth time jumps between the Shinka and Showa periods, as well as the myriad cast of characters, many of which appear in only a single episode. Scholars might enjoy a show of this nature, but the rest of us are not missing much.”Flying WitchMust Watch ItBanjo’s Perspective:Most of the time, the lives we lead are not filled with drama or action but instead simplicity. Even for Makoto, a witch who takes center stage in Flying Witch, this statement remains true. The anime is very relaxing, highlighting its “iyashikei” – otherwise known as “healing” – roots quite well. The anime has other notable aspects, like splendid art, normal yet fun characters, and a subtle brand of comedy that is entirely fitting. It may be a simple anime, but there is no doubting that it’s simply sublime.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/0mn0mnomnom:“Slow, comfy, and relaxing. Those are the first three words that come to my mind when I get ready to watch Flying Witch.Makoto is a witch in training who has gone to live with her extended family. Makoto's easy going nature, calm demeanour, and terrible sense of direction encourages the viewer, and our heroine, to take in and enjoy the surroundings. Whether it be by exploring for mandrakes or chasing pheasants, Makoto is an adorkably fun character.But what is a SoL main character without a strong supporting cast. Chinatsu, Makoto’s younger cousin, is able to steal the spotlight with her reaction faces alone. And guess what, she also has an adorable relationship with her brother. Throw in Nao, Akane, & Kei, and we're sure to have a broad cast of fun characters.Flying Witch has focused in on building warm character relationships and a comfy atmospheric SoL, rather than the pursuit of full on moe-blob SoL. If you are a fan of SoL or are looking to get into the genre, come join us on this cozy slow ride.”Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/BinDins:“Flying Witch – 'Watch It'Airing this Spring Season, we have an absolute gem in Flying Witch.Animated by the wonderful J.C. Staff, we are treated to some gorgeously drawn backgrounds, and pleasing character designs. With our main cast of Makoto the witch in training, her cousins Kei & Chinatsu, and among many supporting characters to pop up throughout the show, you will definitely end up enjoying their company for 24 minutes each episode. Also good to mention that we have some brand new VA's voicing Makoto, Kei & Akane, and they are awesome so far. Great job you three! :)Overall, Flying Witch is a show with a calming, serene world and gentle pacing. It has nicely timed comedic moments, along with being very heart-warming at the same time. It’s definitely worth a spot on anyone's watch list.Oh and did I mention the opening is pretty good? SHA LA LA LA!”Gakusen Toshi Asterisk 2nd SeasonDrop ItBanjo’s Perspective:Gakusen Toshi Asterisk returns (as the title suggests) for its second season. With the tournament now fully underway, Ayato, Julis, and the many other harem members are fighting to win the Phoenix Festa while simultaneously learning more about themselves and each other. The OP and the ED are a downgrade, there has been considerably less Claudia, and the fights thus far have only been mildly entertaining. This anime is mainly for those that finished and enjoyed the first season. Meaning there are better offerings at hand if one is looking for a new, interesting show.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/PPGN_DM_Exia:“Obviously, if you haven't seen (or didn't like) the first season, there is no point in starting this, as this one continues right where the last one ended. I will say that this show, despite the harem and ecchi tags, puts quite a bit more focus on plot rather than ‘plot.’ There is a level of political intrigue (involving all of the Festa schools) in this show that I was not anticipating but quite enjoy. Speaking of Ayato, it can't be avoided that he is still a palette-swapped Kirito. That said, I do like his interactions with Julis quite a bit. Julis has toned down her tsundere tendencies, and I think the show has done well to show them both as equal partners in their partnership. Lastly, I like the battles in this show because Ayato's typical ‘shonen MC superpowers’ are used as part of the strategy rather than THE strategy. The battles have a nice tactical element that isn't just beam spamming (although that is present) or the power of friendship.”HaifuriWatch ItBanjo’s Perspective:Sailing the high seas and growing closer as a crew are the norm for the girls of Haifuri. The “Blue Mermaids,” a coalition of women who pilot the various cruisers, attackers, and warships, traverse the vast, blue ocean to protect, to serve, and to connect. The cast is large, so the vast majority of the girls will do little else besides act out their characteristics – one girl has an overactive imagination, one girl loves to fire torpedoes, and so on. However, the very nice visuals, the militaristic motif, and the intriguing developments more than make up for any potential character stagnation. While this anime is mainly aimed at an audience who likes “cute girls doing cute things,” it has enough in store to make it an interesting anime from portside to starboard. (Plus, yuri undertones are supposedly around which is always a positive.)Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/SirPrize:“Are you a fan of Girls Und Panzer? Maybe you like cute girls commanding cute boats. Haifuri (also known as High School fleet) takes place at sea and while our main crew is on a destroyer, there are plenty of other ship types that make an appearance. Now this isn't fun and games sports anime like GuP though. Strange things are happening with attacks and reports of mutiny being thrown around.This show has a great attention to detail that I love when it comes to its ships. The crew works together as people actually do on ship in order to get through the problems they face. Speaking of the crew, the show has a large cast of characters to run the ship, and while their names take a while to get right, their personalities are adorable. The mystery as to what exactly is going on has had me producing tons of theories as to where this show could possibly go. I look forward with great anticipation to see where this series will sail more than any other this season.”HundredConsider ItBanjo’s Perspective:“One, two, skip a few, ninety-nine, one hundred.” This common phrase best describes Hundred, an anime that does not have a whole lot of substance. The anime centers on men and women who use their “Hundred” to combat “Savages” that terrorize the world. It’s a “so bad it’s good” kind of show: Hayato falls on top of (and grabs the breasts of) more women than can be counted; the fighting is not so much choreographed as it is flashy; and the tsundere, trap, and imouto characters are in full force. Hidden among these traits are surprisingly fast relationship developments, a bit of blushing, and a handful of cute scenes. This anime may not have a perfect score of one hundred, but it is at least better than a straight zero.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/Illus24:“Kisaragi Hayato, dense as a black hole and equipped with a certain type of magnet in his pants, enrolls at Little Garden to learn how to fight things that can barely move since they apparently threaten humanity. Shortly after using a Hundred – the name of the school's weapon – he discovers his hidden OP powers that he naturally has to have. Thus he and his harem are sent on missions. That's basically all there is to know about this series. It tries to be special by having bits of a romantic plotline and not shying away from showing two characters' affection towards each other. However the former is usually bait and the latter is not something an anime should be particularly proud of. If you want to watch something like this you should catch up on anime that have done it better in the recent years before giving in to your masochistic tendencies and starting this.”Joker GameConsider ItBanjo’s Perspective:Joker Game places itself in the time period when the second World War begins to take shape. Japan, wanting to be a player in the game, creates a team of spies whose capabilities are practically immeasurable. The anime’s main problem right now, though, is a lack of direction. On a story level, the narrative appears to be going down an episodic route where one spy’s mission unfolds, but, since the anime currently lacks an overarching plot, none of the events seem consequential. On a character level, the spies are, ironically, not that interesting mostly because many of them have not been looked at (due to the size of the cast) and many of them have not been shown together (due to the nature of their profession). At the minimum, the anime’s art, especially on a character-design level, makes it nice to watch. Still, so long as the anime continues to lack direction, betting on this one may be a risk not worth taking.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/WingsOfLight:“Joker Game is a show about manipulation, deception, politics etc all set in a WW2 era setting. The show likes to throw the audience in media res and sprinkle in hints as the show progresses to reveal what is really going on behind the scenes. Moves are calculated and every action has a direct consequence often whether it be to gain crucial information or to pull a character onto their side. Instead of following one central protagonist, the show is going down the route of following each of the characters in their own case. Unfortunately this also means that the individual characters themselves may not be as well developed as they could be. But what the show does offer is a fantastic atmosphere that fits its setting and seeing how the situation develops in each scenario is interesting. If you want to see spies trying to maneuver and manipulate those around them to their advantage, Joker game is for you.”KiznaiverMust Watch ItBanjo’s Perspective:“The ties that bind us” does not usually refer to a physical rope but rather a mental or emotional connection. For the cast of Kiznaiver, their connection is somewhere in the middle. The anime has so much promise: an obscure premise, themes on sin and relationships, and fun, interesting characters who will not just grow individually but together. Combined with the awesome art, the magnificent music, and the crazy comedy, this anime shapes up to be one of the best this season has to offer.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/GrantOz44:“Kiznaiver follows the story of seven students forced to share each other's pain, and I feel like some of that gets passed on to me when I watch this show. I want to love it, I really do. I can understand people loving the variety and wacky-ness of the characters, plus the humour, but it's at odds with this serious message underpinning the whole show - that sharing each other's pain can make for a world of greater understanding. At three episodes in I'm also not quite certain how the mechanisms of the system even work. There's still plenty to love in the art department. Trigger's visual quirks are here stronger than ever, resonating through bright and visceral design in both art and animation. Worth picking up for those able to look past the (yes, intentionally) stereotyped characters and have some fun, but it's mostly a miss so far.”Koutetsujou no KabaneriMust Watch ItBanjo’s Perspective:Koutetsujou no Kabaneri oozes awesome. Set in a steampunk, samurai world, the people of Japan struggle to survive against the Kabane, zombies with glowing hearts, rotten skin, and a penchant for flesh. The anime is gorgeous: fluid animation, wonderful art, and very pretty character designs. And Mumei, the main female protagonist, raises the awesome bar that much further. The story has yet to really get underway, but the anime’s focus on being a juggernaut of action (and, by extension, awesome) make it an undeniably entertaining (train) ride that the majority of people will find themselves boarding.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/rascorpia:“Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress is not a show to be questioned. Disregarding the obvious parallels to Attack on Titan that will be good or bad depending on your opinion of that show, Iron Fortress ultimately makes very little sense. Many elements exist purely to shock a reaction out of the viewer with little respect for tension and build-up. In the middle of a life and death battle against the zombie horde we seemingly have time for three soldiers to leave their posts and point their guns at another while he uses a ‘suicide bag’. Later we get zombies that pick and choose when to run or walk and a certain revelation that you won't believe no one had thought of before. Does logic not exist in this world? Apparently not.Watch if you don’t care about the writing, but if all you want is some flashy action then this season already has better shows offering that.”Kuma MikoConsider ItBanjo’s Perspective:Talking bears of the mountains and girls ignorant of societal norms work together to create the anime known as Kuma Miko. The anime is strange for this reason, but it gets even stranger when it comes to its content. On the one hand, the anime is a cultural and funny slice-of-life show with silly reactions and cute moments. On the other hand, the anime’s overt sexual nature can, at times, be taken too far. For all of the sexualized moments, they are largely unnecessary in the context of the show, and, worse still, they detract from the funniness and the cuteness that this bear-and-girl duo do pretty well. It remains to be seen if the anime will reel back the perversion, but, for now, this one is at least not totally destined for hibernation.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/AniMonologues:“Kuma Miko is a very quaint show, and very cute as well. We follow a shrine maiden named Machi and a bear named Natsu in a small mountain village. It's a slice of life show that so far follows Machi trying to get permission to live in the big city. This causes the main conflict that all characters and setting become developed around. The show likes to analyze the value of traditions versus keeping up with the times. Since Machi is a traditional shrine maiden that wants to make it in the big city. It has a great slice of life feel, sprinkles in nice comedy, and is a great watch. My recommendation is to go for it.”KuromukuroWatch ItBanjo’s Perspective:Demons are creatures to be feared. And in Kuromukuro, demons are also meant to be fought. Starring Yukina, a girl who believes her future job is “Mars,” and Kennosuke, a proud samurai, the unlikely pair find themselves fighting these fearful demons. In regards to the art, the heavy CG use is not an issue, and, in fact, the CG robots make for some pretty cool choreographed sword battles. Furthermore, the character designs are quite nice, too. Alongside the fun characters, the “realistic” setting, and the potential for some romantic goodness, this anime has at least one angel looking over it.Another Perspective, courtesy of my alter ego KazooieTheBird:Kuromukuro is an anime celebrating P.A. Works’ 15th anniversary, but, when said celebration is backed by a lame anime, then the party ends early. The CG grossly contrasts with the normal art. The characters are more concerned with being cute than with being interesting. And the entire premise hinges on the main girl’s father’s premonition of “demons” that nobody took seriously for whatever reason. Also, this anime is supposed to be available on Netflix, but (for now) it’s not, making it harder for people like me to actually seek it out. The conclusion: P.A. Works didn’t even want you to see this one in the first place.MayoigaConsider ItBanjo’s Perspective:Sing it with me: “That’s the life of the seriously unlucky hippopotamus!” In Mayoiga, a smorgasbord of roughly thirty people – normal, crazy, reserved, outgoing, big, small, nice, mean, and many others with various characteristics – have chosen to start their lives anew in a mythical village hidden somewhere in the forest-covered mountains. What they find and what begins to occur, however, is anything but lucky. It becomes pretty obvious early on where the anime will be taking its cast, making this drama more story driven than character driven. Even then, the story seems to be little more than “make everyone suffer.” But that may be just enough of a hook to watch these hippopotami lose themselves on a weekly basis.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/Combo33:“What would happen if you took 30 of the most annoying people from various message boards around the internet, threw them onto a bus, drove that bus deep into the woods, and those degenerates had to figure out how to start a new life together in an abandoned village?The Lost Village lets viewers know very early on that it’s not taking itself too seriously. All 30 characters start out by grabbing the bus's microphone and introducing themselves with only their online screen-names, which include gems such as “Soy Latte,” “Love-pon,” and “Hyouketsu no Judgness.” It immediately becomes clear that this is a show made to poke fun at some popular tropes while we delve deep into the various levels of insanity of the ensemble cast. Our main character is a boy named Mitsumune. He is a kind and innocent kid who is quick to befriend others and falls in love almost instantly with each new girl he meets. The two main love interests are Masaki, a girl who experiences constant nausea, earning her the nickname “Pukey-chan,” and Lion, a cynical, brooding girl who can be found in a yellow kigurumi hoodie, looking devilishly cute.There is a definite air of mystery surrounding the village, and things begin to go wrong rather quickly. The characters’ conflicting ideologies immediately begin to clash and people start to go missing, which ratchets up the tension to a fever pitch. Go into this show expecting to have fun like you would at a popcorn thriller, yelling obscenities at the various flawed characters as they stumble towards their inevitable doom, and giggling at the over-the-top stereotypes of online nerds of all types, as they meet their fates, one-by-one.”Netoge no Yome wa Onnanoko ja Nai to Omotta?Watch ItBanjo’s Perspective:Nowadays, many people play video games. These same people also like to keep their gaming lives and their normal lives separate. In Netoge no Yome wa Onnanoko ja Nai to Omotta, this separation is not as distinct. Ako, the klutz healer, makes the anime. Ako is adorable, funny, and sincere – with a dash of yandere tendencies. Following Ako is the nice theme on real versus fake, the cool dichotomy between the regular world and the game world, and the attractive character designs plus wonderful music. And to top it all off, the romantic moments are so “Aww!” inducing. The rest of the cast and the actual events so far are not as strong, but the anime is more than high enough in level for what lays ahead.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/openreamgrinder1982:“DROP IT If I had to describe this anime with one word, it would be cringe. The mc marries the main girl (without knowing if she was actually a girl) online after marrying a G.I.R.L before and being traumatized. The characters play together on an online game (which we are never given info about) before meeting up in real life. Surprise, surprise all the players are girls except the mc (who can't even be considered a self-insert mc due to his awful decisions). The girls' character/archetype (one in the same) are a blonde tsundere, an overworking student president, and the main girl who "hates and wants to kill normies"(even though she's the hottest and doesn't know how to play the game). At first I thought this would just be a shitty harem, but it's actually worse because of how ‘cringe’ it is. Asterik's War would be a better watch.”Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai SeikatsuMust Watch ItBanjo’s Perspective:One moment, Subaru, the main protagonist of Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu, buys some snacks from a convenience store. The next moment he finds himself transported to a completely different world. Sounds rather tame. Possibly generic. But, without giving too much away, Subaru finds himself experiencing events in a manner that he has never experienced them before. The cast is endearing, the action is thrilling, and the story is intriguing. The anime still has a lot to get through, but, at this moment, it is doing everything it needs to. Bowels or otherwise.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/andehh_:“Re:Zero is yet another attempt at the ‘transported to a fantasy world’ trope – with attempt being the key word. Admittedly, the twist is interesting – it’s not unique but it plays into the game-like world surprisingly well. White Fox have given a fair amount of detail to the world to make it feel alive and boast their quality animation throughout a sizeable amount of action sequences. Despite that, I don’t like Re:Zero. I've been completely pulled out of the show by strange or illogical character decisions multiple times and the dark, serious tone doesn’t gel well with such a naturally playful main character. There is a lot of room for growth in both the characters and story which may eventually justify the overwhelming praise Re:Zero has been receiving thus far but as it stands by episode 3 I’m simply not impressed. It’s not the worst of the season though - not by a long shot.”Sakamoto desu ga?Watch ItBanjo’s Perspective:There has never been a person cooler than Sakamoto of Sakamoto desu ga?. No, seriously. All of the girls (and the boys) love him. Each move he makes is stylish. And, no matter the situation, he always wins. He is beyond handsome, he is consistently calm, and he never seeks out attention but rather lets it come to him. The anime lacks a purposeful story, highlighting its heavy comedic roots, but its biggest problem, however, is repetition. The scenes are hilarious. They are cool. Yet they, for the most part, boil down to the same question: How will Sakamoto be cool this time? If seeing some dude be the pinnacle of humanity over and over is not a bother, then Sakamoto has only one question in response, too.Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/higi1024:“Sakamoto is a show that takes the classic ‘overpowered MC’ trope from action series and places him right in the middle of his ‘thrilling’ school life. From extinguishing fires to dealing with bullies, sakamoto does it with style, and fails to be interesting. As the central focus of the show, it's necessary to have a strong character who can entertain, but with sakamoto, his only feature appears to his ‘coolness’. While that might have worked in his favor if he was a normal student, he's quite literally broken in how he can bypass logic, which makes normally fun and unbelievable scenes rather boring. If you were looking for a show could help put you to sleep, look no farther.”Sousei no OnmyoujiWatch ItBanjo’s Perspective:The world of Sousei no Onmyouji is a crazy one. “Magano,” an alternate dimension containing freakishly gross monsters, threaten the stability of life. “Exorcists,” those who fight in Magano, use their various enhancements and abilities to defeat said monsters. Among the Exorcists are Rakuro, a boy whose traumatic past caused him to stop pursuing being an Exorcist, and Benio, a girl with amazing talent and drive. Naturally, the two are destined to be together. While the anime has yet to get its real story going, the relationship between Rakuro and Benio has a ton of promise, Benio’s stylized call-outs for her moves are cool to watch, and the disparity between the normal and alternate worlds is jarring yet welcome. In other words, the future looks bright for these “Twin Star Exorcists.”Another Perspective, courtesy of /u/purplepinapples:“Sousei no Onmyouji is a show about exorcists fighting off evil beings called kegare, evil beings that sometimes come out of their parallel dimension to snatch up kids from our world. Our two main characters, are the most powerful exorcists in all the land, and due to circumstances that I'm not going to get into, they now hate each other. What else would anime do than put them in an arranged marriage?Sousei no Onmyouji's set up is cliché, but its directing saves it from being completely noticeable. It has average animation, a overused story, but pretty good fight scenes. The problem with it is that the story and characters, are so cliché and unimaginative, that the show is forgettable. Theres nothing that makes me want to watch this show. It's passable in every aspect, but nothing sticks out. It just ends up me being bored watching people fight monsters, bored watching people feeling all tsun and getting mad at each other, while I don't care about what happens to these people at all.”Final Totals:Drop It: 1Consider It: 5Watch It: 7Must Watch It: 5Banjo's Top Three Picks:1 Boku no Hero Academia2 Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu3 Flying WitchRockin' OPs:“COOLEST” of Sakamoto desu ga?; That wink, swoon!“LAY YOUR HANDS ON ME” of Kiznaiver; More than meets the eye!“KABANERI OF THE IRON FORTRESS” of Koutetsujou no Kabaneri; More Mumei, please!Jammin' EDs:“KUMAMIKO DANCING” of Kuma Miko; Paper Mario anime when!VERY SMALL SPOILERS IN THE FIRST FIVE SECONDS! “STYX HELIX” of Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu; snowy and otherworldly!FIRST SEASON SPOILERS “ALL-WAYS” of Concrete Revolutio: Choujin Gensou – The Last Song; scary potential foreshadowing!(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 Spring 2016 anime season to its fullest! :3 http://ift.tt/1SK4sBe

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