Last Week in Two (Winter 2018 Anime Weekly Review #5 – Side B)

Hmmm this is probably my last post for this feature, to be honest.

Taking a wide shot at everything I’m watching is fun, but I think I would rather put out more focused takes on specific moments or episodes or series. Next week will feature the usual (and seasonal) Midseason Musings post for Winter 2018, which is actually a dialed-down version of this feature if you think about it. But after that, I guess I’ll stop Last Week in Two.

I have to bow towards the people who can put out their thoughts on all the shows they’re following week after week (or every other week). You all are amazing. However, I don’t think this is for me. It was fun while it lasted!

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This post covers February 9th, 2018 to February 11th, 2018.

Friday:

Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens (episode 5) – still retains my love and interest. New story threads are being laid out, which is exciting, but some would say that the developments are entirely too convenient in some cases. In response, I can only remind said individuals that this is what generally happens in fiction. Action series in particular typically feature plenty of coincidences so complaining about the direction of the show is to essentially complain about action series as a whole. The fact that we got to see how the train gets shaky when it arrives at a particular station before it becomes pivotal later in the episode is already a lot more than what other series would provide.

Hakumei to Mikochi (episode 5) – new characters are being introduced almost every week, but it feels very natural. I’m really starting to find this series very very calming to watch, to be honest. Maybe the inclusion of cool and dandy old guys is winning me over.

Toji no Miko

Saturday:

Citrus 

Sanrio Danshi 

Slow Start (no episode this week) (episode 6) – it remains an easygoing, lighthearted series as the girls essentially do mundane things while looking cute. This episode is much improved compared to the previous (and there’s some lovely yuri shiptease brewing between two pairings).

Takunomi.

Pop Team Epic (episode 6) – pretty amusing episode this week.

DARLING in the FRANXX (episode 5) – most of the squad now recognizes that Hiro is important and needed, but Hiro turns out to not be as impervious to the side-effects associated with piloting alongside Zero Two as previously believed. With the introduction of another more experienced squad (that is probably going to die in the upcoming battle since they’re too simply too uniform and boring) who knows more about what’s going on behind scenes that the younger, experimental squad, males and females interacting with each other more frequently and intensely, and ugly, confusing feelings coming to the forefront right before a major battle, this episode really serves to slightly raise my interest in the series. But only slightly. Strong episode but I’m still too cautious to be fully invested.

Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card-hen (episode 6) – more of the same, really. Meiling is actually pretty funny these days, but my heart still goes out to Kero-chan. Seeing Shaoran be actually powerless to help Sakura is quite unfortunate.

Sunday:

Gakuen Babysitters (episode 6) – first half sort of sucked since I despise Yagi and I’m not that fond of Maria who seems rather poorly-written. The second half was alright since I think Inui is a decent guy despite his hopeless crush on a taken and happily married mother. A child’s first errand is pretty important, it seems! Cuteness is the show’s charmpoint, but the previous episodes have been particularly bare on plot and raises a lot of questions (Usaida is pretty negligent as a caretaker is what I’m trying to say). Said concerns aren’t addressed in this episode, but it was still a somewhat enjoyable watch.

Mitsuboshi Colors (episode 6) – it feels like we learn a bit more about the Colors every week. Who knew that Kotoha was actually like that? Impressive characterization for a comedy show that features three little kids painting the town red. A truly fun watch as usual.

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There will be five categories for the following list. This post covers about half of the shows discussed here. My thoughts on the other half can be found over on Side A. I should have already said what I thought about each show already, but if I feel like I have something else to add I’ll mention it in this list.

Slow Start will be left out because it didn’t air this week to my knowledge.

Bouquet Group (AKA my current favorites of the season – these shows are what I look forward to watching the most every week)

Blossom Group (AKA decent picks – these shows have noticeably more flaws than the ones in the previous category but aren’t overly painful to watch)

Bud Group (AKA lackluster picks – these shows are more trouble than they’re worth and I’m probably watching them out of misguided reasons. Very close to being dropped)

Bad Group (AKA awful picks – these shows have been dropped due to various reasons)

B-Finished Group (I finished these shows but I wanted to keep the B-theme going)

Bouquet Group

(Great Shows)

• Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens (episode 5)
• Sora yori mo Tooi Basho (episode 6)
• Mitsuboshi Colors (episode 5)
• Hakumei to Mikochi (episode 5)
• Koi wa Ameagari no You ni (episode 5)

Blossom Group

(Decent Shows)

• Slow Start (episode 6)
• DARLING in the FRANXX (episode 5)
• Pop Team Epic (episode 6)
• Yuru Camp△ (episode 6)
• Violet Evergarden (episode 5)
• Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card-hen (episode 6)
• Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san (episode 5)
• Gakuen Babysitters (episode 6)

Bud Group

(Meh Shows – Heavily Considering Dropping)

• Märchen Mädchen (episode 5)

Bad Group

(Dropped Shows)

• Citrus (episode 4)
• Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyousoukyoku (episode 3)
• Hakyuu Houshin Engi (episode 1)
• Miira no Kaikata (episode 2)
• Ramen Daisuki Koizumi-san (episode 3)
• Sanrio Danshi (episode 4)
• Takunomi. (episode 3)
• Toji no Miko (episode 3)

B-Finished Group

(Completed Shows)

• Devilman Crybaby