Before writing about anime, in case you weren’t aware, this is actually the first week of 2026, even though it is currently still 2025 as I write this. Week numbers can be weird sometimes!

Fall 2025 Wrap-Up

I managed to finish up the Fall shows I was watching this past week. Some thoughts:

• Campfire Cooking Season 2 - If you liked the first season, you probably liked this season. It delivered the same high-quality cooking animation with low-stakes fun.
• Dusk Beyond the End of the World - A baffling series. Episode 0 had me absolutely hooked. But then it transformed into some kind of post-apocalyptic love triangle thing, and was never really able to right the ship. The ending could have been worse though all things considered. I have definitely seen originals with an interesting premise turn out worse (looking at you Metallic Rouge).
• Touring After the Apocalypse - Probably my favorite series I watched this season, but it was a low bar. It had a chill vibe and some interesting plot hooks…but definitely felt more like a manga advertisement than like it was trying to tell a story of its own.
• Star Wars Visions Volume 3 - I didn’t really vibe with this season as much as I did season 1. There were some direct sequels to Season 1 episodes, but they didn’t really live up to their predecessors for me. If you are looking for some episode recommendations, here are my favorites from the season:
  • Episode 4 - A storyline that is incredibly predictable, but I still enjoyed a lot. Had a pretty compelling MC.
  • Episode 6 - My favorite of the season. A former jedi on the run from the empire comes face to face with her past.
  • Episode 8 - A CG episode that has some beautiful visuals (though the animation on the character models is a bit uncanny). A padawan is blinded in combat and has to confront her own cave of trials as she learns to see the world around her without her eyes.
  • Episode 9 - I can’t say that I liked this episode, but it was fascinating. An aggressively hand-drawn style and basically zero dialogue for the whole episode. It isn’t so much a story as it is an experience. Partake in your drug of choice ahead of time and zone out.

2025 Year in Review

Some good stuff this past year. Some highlights (in rough order of enjoyment):

• Apocalypse Hotel - my AOTY. Just an incredibly well told story that had all the emotions in it. Definitely deserves more attention than it got.
• CITY the Animation - A worthy successor of Nichijou, even if it felt more chaotic in its narrative. An incredible feat of animation production and KyoAni at its absolute best.
• Apothecary Diaries Season 2 - Somehow just as good if not better than season 1.
• Ninja and Assassin Under One Roof - The best dark comedy I remember seeing in a long time and an adaptation that truly elevates the manga source to a whole new level.
• 100 Girlfriends Season 2 - More girls! More Rentaro! More fun!
• Silent Witch - Surprisingly well-adapted story that has a lot of meat on the narrative bone. I hope there is more to come.
• Dan Da Dan Season 2 - This show was as beautiful as season 1. The musical number was really the standout sequence for me.

Honorable mentions:

• Rock is a Lady’s Modesty - A heck of a lot of fun with a great soundtrack (and mo-cap performances) provided by Band-Maid.
• Welcome to Japan Miss Elf - This was such a good adaptation it got me reading this manga again. I really enjoyed this one.
• From Bureaucrat to Villainess - Loved all the old anime references in this one. Hoping for more to come with this one.