I wish this anime was as good as the picture.
A group of girls united by family friendship join the Nikko Dream Monkeys Ice Hockey team, learning to play and unite as a team, with one friend going away and a new friend learning the meaning of team work, Manaka and her friends set out to conquer the B League to join A League.
Taking cues from Haikyuu's idiot rookie and fallen pro dynamic mixed with idol anime elements makes for a series that doesn't know what it wants to be, as a sports title it's already stale by the fact that it's Ice Hockey without the core mechanic of body checking, I think it's lazy animators more than anything, this is why alot of the anime takes place off the ice rink, then there's the unneeded idol anime element which has no room to develop either.
It all reeks of a still born franchise with nothing really to offer, Ice Hockey is hardly a big sport in Japan as it is, and the idol genre has more than enough representation, but I suppose we have to tick off all the sports that cute anime girls play.
Dub likely not good, but have not seen it.
Final Verdict: It's clear that there was an intention of making it a quick sell idol sports hybrid but they not only chose the wrong sport, there are already more than enough idol anime that there is no room for more.
I couldn't become a hero so I reluctantly got a job.
The defeat of the Demon King has brought about a new age of convenience as rapid advancement in magical technology has created a world that needs modern appliances, former Hero Raul Chaser with nothing left to do, becomes an appliance store worker at Leon, his mundane life is changed when Fino Bloodstone, the daughter of the former Demon King becomes a worker for Leon stores, not able to shake off bad habits, Raul trains Fino to be a fine worker, but rival stores and former heroes aim to disrupt the peace.
I guess this series hasn't heard of Devil is a Part Timer before, I initially wrote this off as fan service trash and while it does indulge alot in that, particularly early on, it does shake out a reasonable plot, it helps that the setting brings up more intrigue than questions as this is the first time we've really seen this plot in a fantasy anime and the ramifications of what defeating the demon lord means in this world, a little better than I was expecting, hardly a diamond in the rough but a reasonably shiny Zirconium instead.
No dub as it would be annoying.
Final Verdict: A welcome surprise from a series that could have easily been left in the bin of forgotten anime, it's at least watchable.
Happy New year, It's review time.
Mahiro is a shut in neet, until his scientist younger sister slips him a drug that transforms him into a middle school girl, forced to go back to school and adapt as a girl, Mahiro makes new friends and starts to really appreciate her new life.
Questionable motives at the beginning aside, this series is very careful with how it depicts the gender bender trope, it helps that Mahiro has a level head on her shoulders and apart from legitimate lack of knowledge of female biology never abuses the fact that her mind still retains memories and personality from her former male self, meaning Mahiro has no lustful desires in her to take advantage of her new friends, even the one girl she does kinda crush on, it's the most fascinating take on the gender bender formula since Ranma 1/2, and it's wholesome take is more welcoming than it's more mature cousins.
Not keen on a dub as there is some discourse over the translation which we've come to expect when tackling the subject of Gender Bending.
Final Verdict: A wholesome take on the gender bender formula with a competent lead who is an absolute god send for anyone who struggles with gender dysphoria.
I had hoped to review this before Christmas.
The Kingdom of Alsace has been caught in a middle of a power dispute between the higher Kingdom of Brune's Dukes, having been captured by the rival nation of Zhcted and it's war maiden Eleonora, Alsace leader Tigre joins his captors in saving Alsace and preventing Brune's Dukes from seizing the throne, leading to a wider war for power involving other War Maidens and armies all the while Tigre inheriting a black bow and it's power to change the tide of battle.
This anime badly wants to be a harem as it makes every effort to make it's female cast standout but still holds back in favour of it's tactical warfare blueprint as each battle is described like a battle out of Dynasty Warriors Empires, but it means that the anime is treated more like a glorified game of chess rather than an action epic, not a bad thing, I actually like chess but that doesn't exactly inspire excitement.
The dub is pretty good as all roles are built up well for the setting, there's also a chibi mini series which just makes me want to see them in Isekai Quartet.
Final Verdict: A well written series designed to appeal to tactical warfare fans but doesn't fully translate as an anime, it's also clear that someone missed the memo on making it a harem series.
Haven't I done this one before?
Ino Sakura moves from the boonies to Tokyo to become an idol, moving into the dormitory mouse house with a host of characters consisting of a failed musician, a failed model, a reluctant former child actress, a not so promising rising star and a shady manager, the five girls form an idol group in order to prevent their dorm from closing by doing an internet variety show along with concerts.
I've viewed a similar anime with a similar plot called Wandaba Style, the difference here is that the cast of Dropout Idol Fruit Tart are alot more predictable with how they act, Roko steals the show with just how hilarious her back story is and how sick she is of being labelled a child still.
While there is much to enjoy there are many moments where nothing really happens, it's very much imbalanced, hard to deliver a solid recommendation.
Dub I've not seen but I'm never keen to view one for this genre.
Final Verdict: A fun little comedy with a predictable cast and an imbalanced plot. I'd at least stay for Roko if no one else.
