Spring 2023 Preview
Yes, I know the season is already halfway over by the time this post goes live.
As I’ve mentioned already in my last blog post and on social media, this season will be my busiest yet when it comes to watching current anime. 13. That’s the number of shows I’ll be attempting to keep up with this season. Oddly enough, when I organized them on my Google Calendar, Thursday is the only day of the week that doesn’t contain new episode airdates - the perfect opportunity to play catch-up if my weekends aren’t enough to accommodate. With that being said, let’s get right to it: my watchlist for the spring 2023 anime season.
Skip and Loafer (P.A. Works)
Excellent student Iwakura Mitsumi has always dreamt about leaving her small town, going to a prestigious university, and making positive change in the world. But she's so focused on reaching her goals that she's not prepared for the very different (and overwhelming) city life that awaits her in a Tokyo high school. Luckily, she makes fast friends with Shima Sousuke, a handsome classmate who's as laid-back as she is over-prepared. Can this naïve country girl make it big in Tokyo with Sousuke by her side?
[Source: Seven Seas Entertainment]
Notable VAs
Kurosawa Tomoyo (Akiba Maid War, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners) as Iwakura Mitsumi
Terasaki Yuka (Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds) as Egashira Mika
Toyosaki Aki (Fruits Basket, Laid-Back Camp) as Hanazono Sakura
Kimura Ryouhei (Bibliophile Princess, A Couple of Cuckoos) as Kanechika Narumi
Han Megumi (Gamers!, Fruits Basket) as Kurume Makoto
Uchida Maaya (Blue Spring Ride, Date A Live) as Murashige Yuzuki
Saiga Mitsuki (To Your Eternity, Kakegurui××) as Nao-chan
Tsuda Minami (Onimai, 3D Kanojo: Real Girl) as Takamine Tokiko
Morohoshi Sumire (Maid-sama!) as Toyoma Fumino
I’ve watched seven titles produced by P.A. Works, and my average score for the studio is 7.43 out of 10. They release decent titles but not enough to amaze me. However, I did rate Akiba Maid War (my most recent P.A. Works entry) an 8 out of 10, and I have yet to watch Ya Boy Kongming! We’ll see if Skip and Loafer can continue this trend.
Ah, to be an optimistic 15-year old starting high school. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it’s been nearly ten years since I entered high school. That’s incredibly scary.
I can already tell that our two leads will bounce off each other really well. Mitsumi is a country girl who recently moved to Tokyo to attend high school and has her entire life planned while Shima is more laid-back and chill. They’re polar opposites, but it seems like Mitsumi and Shima could learn a lot from each other over the course of the season. The art in this show contains an interesting blend of old and new; the backgrounds feel modern for today’s anime standards, but the character designs feel like they took inspiration from the mid-2000s or so. I think it looks great, and it feels refreshing to watch.
The OP and ED fit the tone of the show well imo. I especially like the OP for its visuals, especially with Mitsumi and Shima dancing without care.
Lowkey though? Shima has some golden retriever energy, and I love that for him.
Some stills that I thought were eye-catching and worth including in this preview post:
I’m really liking what I’m seeing so far! Skip and Loafer has a ton of potential, and I’m looking forward to seeing where this one goes.
The Dangers in My Heart (Shin-Ei Animation)
Kyoutaro Ichikawa may look like your average middle school student, but in his heart, he dreams of murder. Thus, it is no surprise that the one he wants to kill the most is never far off from his mind: the class idol, Anna Yamada.
Reading alone in his beloved school library, he inadvertently begins to rendezvous with Yamada, who comes to secretly gorge on her beloved candies and sweets. Through their interactions, Ichikawa discovers just how much of a ditz Yamada is, and cannot help but support her from the sidelines. Meanwhile, Yamada herself cannot help but tease Ichikawa relentlessly due to his flustered reactions.
With an array of heartwarming daily interactions, the distant bond between the two grows into something more than just library acquaintances. Perhaps, in time, Ichikawa will come to realize that his murderous desires have turned into something else entirely.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Notable VAs
Horie Shun (Rent-A-Girlfriend, High Card) as Ichikawa Kyoutarou
Youmiya Hina (My Dress-Up Darling, When Will Ayumu Make His Move?) as Yamada Anna
Okamoto Nobuhiko (Maid-sama!, Re:Zero) as Adachi Shou
Toyosaki Aki (Fruits Basket, Laid-Back Camp, Skip and Loafer) as Hara Honoka
Tamura Yukari (No Game No Life, Kiniro Mosaic) as Ichikawa Kana
Satou Gen (Tomozaki-kun, High Card) as Kanzaki Kenta
Shimazaki Nobunaga (Date A Live, Fruits Basket) as Nanjou Haruya
Fukushima Jun (Konosuba, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime) as Oota Chikara
Han Megumi (Gamers!, Fruits Basket) as Sekine Moeko
Tanezaki Atsumi (Spy x Family, Fruits Basket) as Yoshida Serina
Originally, I wasn’t going to pick this one up mainly because I was turned off by the idea of a middle schooler having murder on his mind in what otherwise sounds like a romance anime. However, after reading the synopsis again, it’s basically another Kubo-san, and I’ve been enjoying Kubo-san quite a lot. So why not give this one a try? Maybe I’ll enjoy it just as much.
I’ve only seen one other anime from Shin-Ei Animation, and that was A Couple of Cuckoos which I ended up giving a 5 out of 10. In other words, my expectations aren’t too high for this particular anime or studio. That being said, after watching episode 1, I thought it was alright. I’m a fan of Yamada’s whimsical personality; like Kyoutarou, I too was rooting for her to do her best from the sidelines. I’m also a fan of Kyoutarou being a short king. After being disappointed by Lovely Complex, I’m happy to watch another short king in the spotlight. But the highlights for me stop there. I couldn’t help but laugh at the opening shot. They aren’t pulling any punches with the fact that this kid will likely grow up to become a school shooter. Seriously though, someone get this kid some therapy.
I’d compare this anime to watching Netflix’s YOU, except in anime form and a bit more lighthearted. Something about Kyoutarou causing distractions for the sake of “saving” Yamada reminded me of Joe Goldberg’s tendency to rid his love interest’s life of any negative influence in order to gain her trust and affection. If Dangers in My Heart was a serious drama instead of a rom-com, I think I’d like it a whole lot more.
Again, nothing much else stands out to me other than Yamada’s personality. The character designs aren’t anything special, and as the MMC I actually dislike Kyoutarou’s design more than anyone else so far. I get that it’s supposed to be edgy but still. There are 11 episodes to improve and plenty of time to change my opinion(s).
Blue Orchestra (Nippon Animation)
Hajime Aono used to live for the sound of his violin playing. Ever since he was young, he had admired his world-renowned violinist father, who inspired him to pick up the instrument himself. But following his parents' bitter divorce, Aono swears to never play again and heads for high school without a direction or a prospect.
During a physical education class, the unathletic Aono gets struck in the face with a ball and ends up in the infirmary. There, he meets the brash Ritsuko Akine who begins to play the violin in the room, believing she is alone. However, following a past incident, there have been rumors claiming that Akine is a bully, which has isolated her from her peers - a fact Aono was unaware of.
Akine dreams of enrolling in a school with an orchestra, but her amateurish playing and lack of musical knowledge grates on Aono immensely. Seeing this as a perfect opportunity for the two to become friends, their teacher suggests that Aono teaches Akine how to play the violin, something Aono is vehemently against. However, as the pair spends more time together, they soon learn to understand and help each other - and Aono may finally discover the lost passion and melody in his life.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Notable VAs
Kakuma Ai (The Asterisk War, Bofuri) as Akine Ritsuko
Chiba Shouya (Classroom of the Elite, Ayakashi Triangle) as Aono Hajime
Tsuchiya Shinba (The Aquatope on White Sand) as Saeki Nao
Furukawa Makoto (Kaguya-sama: Love is War, Golden Time) as Yamada Ichiro
Saitou Chiwa (Yona of the Dawn) as Aono’s mother
Okiayu Ryoutarou (Rikekoi, Clannad) as Aono Ryuuji
Ono Daisuke (Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, High Card) as Ayukawa Hiroaki
Enoki Junya (Tonikawa, Girlfriend Girlfriend) as Harada Sou
Asanuma Shintarou (Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds, My First Girlfriend is a Gal) as Hatori You
Fukushima Jun (Konosuba, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, The Dangers in My Heart) as Shibata Osamu
Lynn (Engage Kiss, Fuuka) as Tachibana Shizuka
Kohara Konomi (Kaguya-sama: Love is War, Tonikawa) as Tateishi Mari
Reading this synopsis in the pre-season, I definitely got some Your Lie in April vibes though it seems different enough to warrant my attention. I also used to play violin back in middle school, but I wasn’t too particularly attached to playing it as the MC. Musical anime tend to have really good OSTs, so I’m hoping this trend will continue with Blue Orchestra. After all, Bocchi the Rock set the bar fairly high last fall. This is also the first time I’ve heard of Nippon Animation, the studio behind this anime, so my expectations are fairly neutral if not slightly higher than normal by virtue of the show involving music and performing arts. Last tidbit before I move on to my thoughts on episode 1, this is the third anime I’ve heard of that includes the word “blue” in its name: Blue Period and Blue Lock being the other two. Wonder what’s up with that. Apparently, the kanji for the word “blue” (青) is also used in the word for youth!
It should also be noted that this anime is two cours meaning 24 episodes in total throughout the summer 2023 season! That’s really exciting because there have been many times before where anime have tried to box themselves into the 12 episodes they have in a single season to tell a story that obviously requires more time to develop. Yet as I say that, the last two cour anime I finished was A Couple of Cuckoos, and you already know how that one went. But before that, it was Summer Time Rendering whose pacing was absolutely perfect for a full manga adaptation.
You know, it’s funny because this anime started airing in the month of April. Coincidence? Probably. But the fact that Aono also has a parent who pressured him into playing an instrument? A little more suspect. Comparisons aside, I thought this episode was decent. Similar to Kyoutarou, I’m not really a fan of Aono’s design with his hair covering one eye. Only Ishigami is able to pull that look off. We get a little insight into why Aono stopped playing the violin: his father cheated on his mother. But that all changes when he meets a girl who plays the violin.
Blue Orchestra seems to be doing the right things a first episode should albeit at a slower pace. But again, this show has 23 more episodes to play with, so there’s plenty of time for it to cook. My only question right now is will there be any romance? All signs point to no since Blue Orchestra’s MAL entry doesn’t have the romance tag. But I’m always up for surprises.
I’m looking forward to seeing how Aono adapts to being in an orchestra, considering he’s was a soloist, as well as how he’ll separate the memory of his father with the love he once had for the violin. How much frustration will he go through teaching Akine the ropes? Will he be patient, or will he reach a breaking point? And what will be the deciding factor in him forgetting about his father and reaching his full potential?
A Galaxy Next Door (Asahi Production)
Ever since their father died, Ichirou Kuga has struggled to support his two younger siblings on nothing but a small inheritance and his passion for drawing manga. But it's becoming harder to keep up with his growing responsibilities and deadlines, especially after his last two assistants quit to follow their dreams. Just as he's nearing his breaking point, the beautiful and scarily competent Shiori Goshiki applies to become his new assistant. But there's something almost otherworldly about Goshiki, and soon Kuga finds his reality turned upside down when she suddenly declares them engaged to marry!
[Source: Kodansha USA]
Notable VAs
Yashiro Taku (Domestic Girlfriend, Yu-Gi-Oh! SEVENS) as Kuga Ichirou
Takahashi Rie (Konosuba, Re:Zero) as Ibusuki Chihiro
Naganawa Maria (Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid) as Kuga Fumio
Sugita Tomokazu (Wotakoi) as Morikuni Masahiro
Hikasa Youko (High School DxD, No Game No Life) as Morikuni Momoka
Surprisingly, not a lot of veteran voice actors in this one! As much as I love Rie and Youko’s voices, it’s great to see that the anime industry still values up-and-coming talent.
The first thing that strikes me about this anime is its color palette. It looks so pretty! The blues and the purples feel so comfy. I especially like the second screenshot below because it’s giving watercolor. I’m sure it’s just the effect of the sun shining through the trees, but regardless I’m loving what I’m seeing so far.
One thing that surprised me was Shiori’s reaction to Ichirou touching her stinger. At first, she’s very upset with him, but after he calmly explains it was all a misunderstanding she forgives him and is willing to start out as friends. Not at all how I expected this interaction to go. I thought Shiori was going to be smitten by Ichirou’s desire for marriage, and we’d have decent rom-com on our hands. But I’m intrigued by this more mature approach, which I suppose makes sense given they’re both adults (Ichirou graduated high school, and Shiori is 19).
I think my only criticism lies with the pacing, specifically the brief introduction of the Kuga siblings’ mother. There’s a brief scene where she speaks to Ichirou on the phone saying she can’t help them given she has a new life, which idk about you but that’s kinda shitty. I hope they explain this better, but something tells me it’ll be brushed under the rug.
I think this anime will be a sleeper hit depending on what direction it takes.
My Home Hero (Tezuka Productions)
Tetsuo Tosu, an ordinary salaryman, discovers his daughter, Reika, has been physically abused by her boyfriend, Matori Nobuto. Trying to learn more about him, Tetsuo uncovers Matori's scheme to extort money from Reika's wealthy grandparents, and finds out that he is a member of a crime syndicate, with a history of murdering his former girlfriends.
Filled with rage and fear at the thought of Reika being in danger, Tetsuo ends up killing Nobuto, and with the help of his wife, Kasen, successfully disposes of the body. Now, as the members of the syndicate begin to question Nobuto's sudden disappearance, Tetsuo and Kasen must work together to ensure the safety of their daughter and prevent her from getting involved in the predicament any further.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Notable VAs
Itou Kento (Wotakoi) as Majima Kyouichi
Suwabe Junichi (Yona of the Dawn, The Helpful Fox Senko-san) as Tosu Tetsuo
Ookubo Rumi (Engage Kiss, Gamers!) as Hibiki
Miki Shinichiro (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood) as Matori Yoshitatsu
Again, not a lot of veteran voice actors in this one! I’m gonna be real with you: I only picked this one up to add variety to the genres I was watching this season. My Home Hero had the suspense tag, and I’m down to watch an anime involving the mafia so why not give it a shot?
It doesn’t have the best art and animation, which is surprising considering this is the same animation studio that produced the first season of Quintessential Quintuplets (2019), Adachi and Shimamura (2020), and Girlfriend Girlfriend (2021). But the suspense throughout the first episode kept me hooked, especially with the music involved. The music is such a crucial element to a drama like this, so I’m glad production didn’t cheap out on it. Some people have drawn comparisons and parallels to Breaking Bad, which I haven’t seen but it’s generally considered one of the greatest TV shows from the last 20 years. I think the one question I have going into this season is how deep will we get with these characters? Right now, Tetsuo is concerned with disposing a dead body, but will we get more depth to his character, his family, or even the yakuza? I’d certainly hope so because a show like this is relying on its characters and story beats to carry it if the art and animation departments end up neglected.
The manga is still ongoing, so I’m also wondering about how this season will end. I doubt Tetsuo and his wife get caught, but perhaps they get captured and that’s the setup for season 2? I’m getting a bit ahead of myself here, but it’s still a valid question/concern. Anyways, I’m intrigued, I’m here for the ride, and worst case scenario this anime will be a case study into genres I like that aren’t romance.
Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear Punch! (Season 2)
If you haven’t read my review of the first season of Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear, make sure to read that first before continuing!
If you’re looking for comfort food this season, look no further because Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear has you covered! Nothing like watching a teenaged girl in a bear onesie fighting off enemies and evil creatures with her bear-themed powers while simultaneously fostering the welfare of her new friends and NPC villagers! The concept is simple, warm, and quite cute. What’s not to love about this anime?
So a lot happened in the season premiere, which might’ve negatively affected the pacing of the episode itself. The episode starts with Yuna illustrating a picture book, which summarizes the events of the series premiere. It turns out that the book is a gift for Princess Flora; she loves the book so much that it leads Ellalaura to encourage Yuna to produce more copies of the book to distribute among other nobles and royalty so that they may read Yuna’s book to their children as well.
But before all this, Yuna embarks on a quest to save a bee tree, which is the source of honey for Crimonia. A horde of orcs is preventing the collection of honey, which could result in price hikes or a pause on the popular honey-soaked dishes Yuna’s restaurant serves. Yuna successfully eliminates the orcs but finds a family of bears at the tree as well. Considering the quest only specified the orcs and the presence of Kumayuru and Kumakyū, Yuna spares the bears and heals them with her powers. Lord Cliff allows the bears to remain and snack on the honey tree as a favor owed to Yuna.
I'm starting to wonder if the theme of this season will be people attempting to take advantage of Yuna’s kindness. We get glimpses of this behavior when Mylene is the one to bring up the bee tree quest, which Yuna happily accepts. That is until Yuna asks Mylene if she told her about the quest on purpose, and Mylene responds by feigning ignorance.
Later, we get a scene of the King darting his eyes towards Yuna as he indirectly asks her for her famous pudding recipe. Of course, she obliges.
Then, Ellalaura asks Yuna to mass produce her picture book in front of the King and Queen. In this situation, it’s not like Yuna can refuse, even if she’s clearly uncomfortable with many people reading what she’s written.
Not too long after, the episode winds down with a private conversation between Yuna and Ellalaura, the latter asking Yuna to escort the academy’s students while they undergo outdoor field training. Yuna tries to make excuses by making it seem like she’s busier than she actually is, but Ellalaura sees through her ploy by naming the people Yuna has already assigned jobs. Yuna is a bit reluctant to accept given that she hardly went to school in the real world and became a shut-in (and still maintains her dislike of royalty), but Ellalaura reassures her by assigning her to Shia, her oldest daughter and Noir’s older sister.
I’m welcome to some light conflict in what’s otherwise an easygoing anime like this one. It seems to me like Yuna’s being stretched thin, even as she triages tasks and responsibilities to people she meets along the way. Plus, as we saw in this episode, Yuna might be too kind for her own good, which could lead to some trickier situations much later in the season. I’m hoping Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear Punch! will deliver on this foreshadowing in order for it to live up to the joy I felt watching season 1.
Oshi no Ko (Doga Kobo)
Sixteen-year-old Ai Hoshino is a talented and beautiful idol who is adored by her fans. She is the personification of a pure, young maiden. But all that glitters is not gold.
Gorou Amemiya is a countryside gynecologist and a big fan of Ai. So when the pregnant idol shows up at his hospital, he is beyond bewildered. Gorou promises her a safe delivery. Little does he know, an encounter with a mysterious figure would result in his untimely death - or so he thought.
Opening his eyes in the lap of his beloved idol, Gorou finds that he has been reborn as Aquamarine Hoshino - Ai's newborn son! With his world turned upside down, Gorou soon learns that the world of showbiz is paved with thorns, where talent does not always beget success. Will he manage to protect Ai's smile that he loves so much with the help of an eccentric and unexpected ally?
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Notable VAs
Takahashi Rie (Konosuba, Re:Zero, A Galaxy Next Door) as Hoshino Ai
Uchiyama Yumi (Re:Zero, The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague) as Hoshino Aquamarine
Itou Kento (Wotakoi) as Amemiya Gorou
Han Megumi (Gamers!, Fruits Basket, Skip and Loafer) as Arima Kana
Kase Yasuyuki (Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, To Your Eternity) as Gotanda Taishi
Iwami Manaka (The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten, Fruits Basket) as Kurokawa Akane
Ookubo Rumi (Engage Kiss, Gamers!, My Home Hero) as Mem-Cho
Egawa Hisao (Yu-Gi-Oh! GX) as Saitou Ichigo
Lynn (Engage Kiss, Fuuka, Blue Orchestra) as Saitou Miyako
Takayanagi Tomoyo (My Dress-Up Darling) as Tendouji Sarina
I think it’s safe to say that this anime was the one everyone and their mother was hyped for going into this spring. For those who don’t know, the mangaka for Oshi no Ko is the same one who wrote Kaguya-sama: Love is War, so the expectations were already high. Those who read the manga were also hyping this anime up, and you know how I feel about manga-reader hype. My bar of expectations couldn’t be any more higher, especially after Oshi no Ko debuted at no. 1 on the list of highest rated MAL titles, surpassing Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood by a decent margin. Not even Bocchi the Rock could accomplish this, and the last title to surpass FMAB on that chart was the third season of Love is War (until toxic FMAB stans brigaded it to restore FMAB’s ranking). I’ve heard nothing but good things about Oshi no Ko’s first episode (90 minutes mind you) as I carefully maneuvered my Twitter feed to avoid spoilers. I’ve been holding out for so long that I feel like I’ve been spoiled, but I just don’t know it yet. So without further ado, let’s dive straight in.
Damn. Where do I even begin?
Look, I was a fan of Ai’s character design even before the show came out. But with the amount of close-up shots we were treated to of Ai’s…eyes, my god Doga Kobo did the most. The detail is exquisite. Literal eye candy.
Given that teenaged Ruby and Aqua are in the show’s poster, I was wondering how long it would take for the story to reach that point. Well, it turns out I didn’t have to wait long as the episode ended with them going to school. I thought about whether or not I liked the time skips for a bit post-watch. On one hand, I get that speed running through the twins’ childhood was the right call because you can only do so much with children who suspiciously speak fluent Japanese. On the other hand, I think it would’ve been interesting if we got to see more of their childhood with some inner monologuing attached. I suppose I just have to accept the fact that the adults don’t find it strange that three-year olds are actually speaking comprehensive Japanese, but if that’s the extent of my complaints for this show (so far) I can easily gloss over it. But like how does no one notice that the twins share the same pupil pattern as Ai? Like hello? Anyone smart enough to make the connection here?
To be honest, I was thinking of giving this episode an 8 out of 10 right until the scene where Ruby/Sarina thinks about her past life and how watching Ai gave her hope in spite of her crippling disability. This was when it all clicked for me. Oshi no Ko is one of those shows that you need to go into blindly because reading the synopsis might create some preconceived notions or misconceptions. I was so invested in this story line until it all came crashing down in the last 15-20 minutes of the episode.
We get Ai’s backstory, which, combined with her personality, was enough to make me wanna say, “Protect this girl at all costs.” Lie until that lie becomes the truth. Fake it until you make it. Those are the words Ai lived by, and it’s so tragic. She deserves the world.
Which is why my jaw dropped upon Ai’s death scene. I can’t say I didn’t see it coming given the foreshadowing earlier in the episode, but thinking about the possibility versus actually witnessing it come to fruition are two completely different feelings.
And then comes this shot. This goddamn shot that made me say, “Oh, fuck you,” out loud. Doga Kobo saw the opportunity, and they took it. I have a love-hate relationship with this shot, and I just know it’s gonna live in my head rent free for the rest of the season.
I’m always down for a good revenge story, so you bet I’m rooting for Aqua and his road to retribution.
Some questions I have for the remaining 10 episodes:
Will Ruby and Aqua ever reconcile and mention their past lives? And if so, how will that affect their relationship?
Is this the start of Aqua’s and/or Ruby’s individual careers in the entertainment industry? What sorts of hurdles will they face?
What role will Ai play moving forward in the story? It’d be a total waste of Rie Takahashi’s presence for only one episode, so perhaps some flashbacks to Ruby and Aqua’s childhood will fill in some of the gaps?
Anyway, watch Oshi no Ko because the OP is a bop (and it’s by YOASOBI!) I won’t be surprised if it manages to top my Spotify Wrapped at the end of the year.
Tonikawa: Over The Moon For You (Season 2)
Two years have passed since Nasa and Tsukasa met on a fateful, snowy night. After their previous home burned down, the lovey-dovey couple is now residing in a bathhouse. They cherish every moment they have together, supporting each other in everything. Both of them being in the honeymoon phase of their relationship, they do everything together, and so their affection for each other only grows.
However, having not yet even met her parents, Nasa still does not know much about Tsukasa. With her past shrouded in intriguing mystery, will Nasa want to explore more of Tsukasa's past life - or will the couple's love blossom even further?
Notable VAs
Enoki Junya (Girlfriend Girlfriend, Blue Orchestra) as Yuzaki Nasa
Kitou Akari (Classroom of the Elite, A Couple of Cuckoos) as Yuzaki Tsukasa
Uesaka Sumire (Gonna be the Twin-Tail!!, Spy Classroom) as Arisugawa Aya
Serizawa Yuu (3D Kanojo: Real Girl) as Arisugawa Kaname
Nagaku Yuki (My First Girlfriend is a Gal) as Aurora
Kuno Misaki (Lycoris Recoil, Aharen Is Indecipherable) as Kagami Kyuuma
Kohara Konomi (Kaguya-sama: Love is War, Blue Orchestra) as Kaginoji Chitose
Mikami Shiori (Harem in the Labyrinth of Another World) as Nakiri Ouka
Okitsu Kazuyuki (Fruits Basket, Higehiro) as Onimaru Ginga
Itou Kanae (The Devil is a Part-Timer!) as Yanagi Naoko
Tonikawa is the epitome of fluff - an anime with little to no conflict with the only question mark being just who exactly is Tsukasa? Based on the opening visuals, it’s heavily suggested we’ll get to learn more about Tsukasa’s past, which is great because that was the only thing holding me back from rating Tonikawa’s first season a 10/10. Any sort of tease no matter how small would’ve been good enough for me, but we never got it. However, the two OVAs which aired between seasons were sugary enough to hold me over, so make sure to check out SNS and Uniform first before indulging yourself.
I just realized season 1 finished airing more than two years ago (fall 2020), which is insane because it doesn’t feel that long ago. Usually I’m more critical of an episode that uses flashbacks and recap montages, but given how long it’s been since season 1 I didn’t mind the usage as much in this premiere episode.
That being said, I thought this episode was equal parts funny, entertaining, and, strangely enough, insightful. With how expensive everything is nowadays, I totally understand Tsukasa’s perspective of forgoing a traditional wedding ceremony and just living out her newlywed life as normal. In the last year, quite a few acquaintances of mine have been getting engaged, so it’ll be interesting to see who throws a wedding and who doesn’t.
There’s not much else for me to say other than I’m glad that these two are back, peak romantic fiction has returned, and I’m looking forward to the treasure trove of reaction images this season will provide.
Konosuba Explosion (Megumin Spin-Off)
Crimson Magic Clan members Megumin and Yunyun are at the top of their class, but they still have a lot to learn. Yunyun's begun learning advanced magic, but Megumin has gone down a different path - the path of explosion magic! Despite being warned of its limited usefulness, Megumin believes explosion magic is the way for her to become a great, voluptuous wizard, and she won't be convinced otherwise!
[Source: Yen Press]
Notable VAs
Takahashi Rie (Re:Zero, A Galaxy Next Door, Oshi no Ko) as Megumin
Toyosaki Aki (Fruits Basket, Laid-Back Camp, Skip and Loafer, The Daggers in My Heart) as Yunyun
Noto Mamiko (Clannad, Recovery of an MMO Junkie) as Yuiyui
Nazuka Kaori (Non Non Biyori, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood) as Arue
Suzushiro Sayumi (Kaguya-sama: Love is War, Bocchi the Rock!) as Dodonko
Tomita Miyu (Kaguya-sama: Love is War, Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear) as Funifura
Takahashi Hiroki (Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters) as Hyoizaburo
Naganawa Maria (Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, A Galaxy Next Door) as Komekko
Konosuba has finally returned! It might not involve the full crew, but we get to watch our favorite explosion magician’s origin story unfold! Four years have passed since the Konosuba movie, which placed a lot of emphasis on Megumin, and I really liked it. I’m hoping this spin-off can deliver both on the story side of things as well as the action sequences that helped contribute to the film’s success.
Two things that stood out to me straight away: the voice acting and the use of music throughout the first episode. Sure, Rie Takahashi is having one helluva season between this spin-off and Oshi no Ko, but overall, I thought the voices for everyone in this episode were fantastic, especially Megumin’s mother. The music was an unexpected element that I found quite appealing, specifically during the first and last few minutes of the episode. I’m not sure if this will be exclusive to the first episode, but it certainly made a favorable impression on me. And of course, Konosuba wouldn’t be complete without a healthy dose of humor. The conversation between the mysterious magician and Megumin was quite funny. I think my only complaint is the number of cutaway/transition shots between short scenes that were maybe 10-30 seconds long. You can easily do away with them and not ruin the pacing of the episode.
In the Legend of Crimson movie, the friendship between Megumin and Yunyun was expanded upon, and by the looks of it we will get to see how their rivalry ignited (no pun intended) in this series. My hope is that the other Red Prison students will also get their fair share of development, something we didn’t get to see too much of throughout any Konosuba visual media so far.
Do your best, Megumin!
My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 (Madhouse)
After her boyfriend breaks up with her for another girl, college student Akane Kinoshita wrestles with a broken heart and the memories he left behind. Loading up Forest of Savior, the MMO they used to play together, she forms a plan to get back at her ex-boyfriend through an in-person event for the game. In the process, she runs into someone unexpected: Akito Yamada, a gaming legend who just happens to be her guildmate.
Desperate for support, Akane ropes the asocial Yamada into helping with her scheme and lending her a shoulder to cry on. The differences between Akane and Yamada soon become apparent as they spend time together, yet they cannot help but notice each other's inner qualities. As the two gain more experience with one another in and out of the game, their tentative acquaintance may level up in a way neither expects.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Notable VAs
Minase Inori (Re:Zero, Quintessential Quintuplets) as Kinoshita Akane
Uchiyama Kouki (Horimiya, Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL) as Yamada Akito
Oonishi Saori (Saekano, Fuukoi) as Maeda Momoko
Hanae Natsuki (Summertime Render, Your Lie in April) as Sasaki Eita
Kakuma Ai (The Asterisk War, Bofuri, Blue Orchestra) as Sasaki Runa
I was actually really excited for this anime in the pre-season for a couple of reasons. The first is Madhouse, which is famous for producing No Game No Life as well as A Place Further Than the Universe - two shows with amazing storytelling, art, and character designs. Looking at the poster, it seems like this anime is following the artistic footsteps of A Place Further Than the Universe. How can I tell? It’s mostly Akane’s eyes. The second reason I’m excited is because this show has some high profile VAs attached from a couple of shows I’ve rated quite highly, including Minase Iori, who plays Rem in Re:Zero and Itsuki in Quintessential Quintuplets; Uchiyama Kouki, who plays Miyamura in Horimiya; and Hanae Natsuki, who plays Shinpei in Summertime Render and Kousei in Your Lie in April.
The last reason I’m excited is the comedic aspect of this rom-com. Sure, this anime might reek of self-insert material for my fellow sedentary gamers out there, but I can totally see Yamada exhibiting gigachad behavior. I don’t think Yamada will be mean to her? At least I hope not. I think the cold shoulder act versus the bubbly personality of Akane will be enough of a contrast that lends itself to a bunch of funny moments. Worst case scenario: this devolves into something like Wolf Girl and Black Prince. I’m very curious as to what will be the impetus for Yamada to realize he might actually like Akane. Maybe not as a romantic interest but at the very least a friend.
I can’t believe the first episode ended like that. I couldn’t help but laugh. And that goes for the entire episode. Not only do I love Akane’s character design, but I also love the variety in her expressions. They’re so well-timed and combined with Yamada’s bluntness, there’s a ton of comedic potential ahead. Momo was also a stand-out for me; I love the role she plays as Akane’s friend who can’t help but be brutally honest with her. Sometimes we need those people to help us come back to our senses. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for her as well.
The OP visuals are really nice; the ED visuals are meh. As for the songs, I’ll probably need a couple more listens before making a decision (unlike Oshi no Ko, for example).
Kizuna no Allele (Wit Studio, Signal.MD)
This is a story about the bonds between girls. Kizuna AI appeared like a comet in the virtual world, becoming massively popular in the blink of an eye. After winning the Lapin d'Or - the highest honor of the Virtual Grid Awards - five years in a row, she disappeared as quickly as she came.
Several months have passed since then... ADEN Academy is a school that specializes in training new talent who will make their debut in the virtual world. There, students each with their own hopes and dreams work hard every day. "I wanna be a virtual artist just like AI!" A young girl named Miracle enrolls in ADEN Academy with this conviction in her heart. There, she'll meet all kinds of people and make wonderful new memories with them as they each pursue their dreams. Are you ready?
Her story begins now.
Notable VAs
Kizuna AI as herself
90% of this cast is amateur voice acting talent, which I guess is fine but even just one veteran VA could pull in some interest, even if the VA’s fans aren’t necessarily fans of vtubing. On the bright side, Wit Studio (Spy x Family) is producing this one along with Signal.MD (Recovery of an MMO Junkie), so it should theoretically hold up in the animation department.
Strangely enough, this isn’t the only anime this season featuring an idol named Ai. I like Hololive as much as the next weeb, so this one immediately piqued my interest in the pre-season. The synopsis seems simple enough, but other than music MAL doesn’t tag this anime with anything else which worries me a bit. On top of that, I’ve never seen a show with a MAL score this low while it’s still airing. I guess I’ll find out soon enough why this might be the case.
That was…ok? There wasn’t anything egregious about the first episode; it’s just that nothing really stood out other than these two stills that I thought were funny. We didn’t get any explanation as to who the person in the greenhouse was nor any information about characters that aren’t Miracle. The roughest part for me was when the professor talked about Miracle’s passion and hoped it’d shine through her performance; I didn’t feel any sort of passion in her performance plus the transition back to the virtual world was a bit abrupt. The episode felt disjointed in a way that made me wonder why the episode ended the way it did. On a positive note, the show looks good for a 2D show about a 3D profession. The colors stand out, and I really like Miracle’s character design. The one thing I didn’t understand about this episode is why exactly Miracle needs to physically go somewhere for vtubing classes? We see her enter a building, but after that she just logs into virtual class. It felt like linking into the VRAINS for anyone who has seen that Yu-Gi-Oh! show. I’m curious as to what sort of balance this anime will achieve between the real world and the metaverse. I’m approaching this show with cautious optimism.
Insomniacs After School (LIDENFILMS)
It all started with the death of one of the Astronomy Club's members. From this, the rumored ghost of the club came to life.
Grumpy insomniac Ganta Nakami stumbles across the moderately rebellious yet easygoing Isaki Magari in the Astronomy Club's abandoned observatory. Magari is jolted awake and tries to escape from the scene, only to have a broken door prevent that, forcing the two inside. The two forge an unlikely friendship, leading them to use the observatory as a safe space for them to interact.
Insomniacs After School follows the insomniacs Nakami and Magari's time in the starlit observatory as they help each other cope with insomnia and the lasting effects it has on student life.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Notable VAs
Satou Gen (Tomozaki-kun, High Card, The Dangers in My Heart) as Nakami Ganta
Lynn (Engage Kiss, Fuuka, Blue Orchestra, Oshi no Ko) as Kanikawa Motoko
Noto Mamiko (Clannad, Recovery of an MMO Junkie, Konosuba Explosion) as Kurashiki Usako
Morohoshi Sumire (Maid-sama!, Skip and Loafer) as Nono Mina
Tomatsu Haruka (Horimiya, Anohana) as Shiromaru Yui
Yamashita Seiichirou (Fuukoi) as Ukegawa Tao
MAL doesn’t tag this show with any other genre except for romance, so I’m curious as to how much attention the supporting cast will receive more than anything. This seems innocent and cute, and I’m a sucker for that sort of thing if you couldn’t already tell. I think the one question that’s on my mind before episode 1 is what else can these two bond over besides their insomnia? Do they only hang out in the observatory like some sort of tryst? Or is there something more to their relationship than stars and a lack of sleep?
The first episode was so damn good that it felt like it went by in five minutes. I wasn’t expecting this anime to look this pretty. The amount of detail LIDENFILMS put into the night scenes stood out to me the most, and the character designs are great (for normal high school students). The animation was smooth, and everything about this show thus far (even the music!) is very chill and comfy. Nakami and Magari play off each other really well and have great chemistry; I was surprised by how much time was spent building up the relationship between these two. Normally, I’d expect a romance anime to end with the protagonists meeting for the first time or end on a cliffhanger. But Insomniacs After School is more direct in its approach; it cuts the BS and gets straight into the story. The writing is refreshing for a genre that can sometimes get stale and repetitive from time to time. I’m looking forward to the romantic developments between these two week after week. Dare I say it could even be my anime of the season depending on how it ends.
The Café Terrace and Its Goddesses (Tezuka Productions)
When Hayato's grandmother passed, he planned to sell her rundown café on the shore - not realizing that it was also home to five young women who call themselves her family?! Their desperation to keep the café open convinces Hayato to give it a shot...but even their best intentions might not be enough to make it work! And can he even work with these five unruly women? No matter what, he's got his work cut out for him!
[Source: Kodansha USA]
Notable VAs
Seto Asami (Bunny Girl Senpai, Oshi no Ko) as Hououji Akane
Mizunaka Masaaki (Classroom of the Elite) as Kasukabe Hayato
Waki Azumi (Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear, Girlfriend Girlfriend) as Ono Shiragiku
Suzushiro Sayumi (Kaguya-sama: Love is War, Bocchi the Rock!, Konosuba Explosion) as Tsuruga Ami
I won’t lie: the first thing I thought when I saw this poster was “Quintuplets lite.” Part of me wants it to pan out like that considering how good Quintessential Quintuplets is as a franchise, but this will probably end up being the trashy harem rom-com of the season. Every season has gotta have at least one, right?
I think after the first episode, I’m leaning towards Team Akane. I need to watch more episodes to form an opinion on Ami, Ono, and Riho but Ouka looks and acts like a character I’ve seen many times before in other shows, so maybe that’s why I’m not so high on her. Either way, this is exactly what I expect out of a trashy harem rom-com. I’m excited to see what direction this ends up going or if any romantic development actually happens. It’ll certainly be a challenge given that there’s five of them, but if Quintuplets has taught us anything it’s that it is indeed possible to juggle five girls vying for best girl at once.
Concluding Thoughts
If you made it this far, bless your soul. I spent so long working on this post that it’s already halfway through the season. Starting next season, I think I’m gonna have to be more picky with my seasonals. Perhaps I’ll set a limit for myself and toss the remaining shows onto my Plan to Watch list. How have you been liking the spring 2023 season so far? Let me know what you’re watching this season! I’d love to hear your thoughts. Consider subscribing to this blog if you haven’t already for new posts whenever I start or complete an anime.
Also, I thought it’d be appropriate to mention that in about a week I’ll be on vacation in Tokyo! After years of waiting, it’s finally happening, and I am super excited. I’ll be vlogging for the first time in nearly two years, so hopefully I’m not too rusty when it comes to videography. It’s gonna be a blast, and I cannot wait to share my adventures with everyone.