Endmaker

I “binged” Pokémon Origins - easy considering it is only 4-episodes long.

Well, turns out it is one elaborate ad for Pokemon X and Y😅 They were even released around the same time: October 2013.

Having said that, barring the inclusion of the Mega Evolution mechanic in this anime, I’d say this is the most faithful adaptation of the games I’ve seen. Pretty much everything is lore-accurate. Heck, they even included some references!

You’re still light years from facing Brock!

(Pity that they couldn’t squeeze in Youngster Ben’s quote about comfy shorts at some point😔)

Also, despite being an ad (or perhaps exactly because it’s an ad?), it was produced with such high quality.

As usual, Pokemon is able to secure the big guns when it comes to the casting of voice-acting roles; there were some sexy male voices😏

On the animation side of things, maybe it’s because my expectations were low (Pokemon Horizons doesn’t always have the best animation), but I was impressed by how well-animated this anime is. There is so much movements in what is clearly properly choreographed fight scenes. It was a treat to watch.

Lastly, when it revealed itself to be quite a faithful adaptation of the Kanto storyline by the first episode, I knew not to expect anything different story-wise. In fact, anyone who played one of the games should know roughly what to expect in each episode based on the titles alone.

But the onion-cutting ninjas still got me in episode 2. I am no good at handling

so it hit me hard.

On my, I’m beginning to cry.

As mentioned earlier, Mega Evolution is where this anime materially differs from the games. But, the way it was handled was rather smooth IMO. Not only did it not take away from my enjoyment of this anime, I’d say it actually elevated it.

In a nutshell: I enjoyed this a lot. It is clearly nostalgia-bait, meant to funnel old players into the new games, and I see it working. It had only 4 episodes to work with, but it still got many things right. At least a 9 / 10 for me (recency bias means 10 / 10 for now).

I wish we can see more of such adaptations from the Pokemon franchise though. It need not be an adaptation of the games; it can be an adaptation of the manga too.

(I am aware it’s a pipe dream.)

Pepe huffing copium

Continuing my round-up of last season’s series:

You and I Are Polar Opposites - Season 2

More fluffy, wholesome romance like in season 1. And not just of the main couple, but the side couples too! I gotta say, having gained the familiarity of its formula in season 1, some of its magic has fizzled out for me. This is meta but it’s kinda like the ennui of romantic relationships, isn’t it?

However, though formulaic, it still does its bread-and-butter well: its deep characterisation of the main cast. There were also some peak moments sprinkled throughout the season that made for great highlights.

Overall, I still enjoyed this season of Polar Opposites a lot. And it’s nice to see a complete adaptation of a story, which is quite rare AFAIK.

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation - Season 3

WIP

Rudy: I’ll send this letter after I discuss it with Sylphie and Roxy

Sylphie: Why is my husband hiding things from me?

Now that’s what I’m talking about! I’m so glad Sylphie voiced her complaint.

Unfortunately, Rudy regressed into his bad habit soon after… 😑

Rudy announcing his intention to murder.

IMO Sylphie and Roxy should have stopped him then and there. Especially Sylphie, given the earlier scene we’ve seen of Rudy and Sylphie.

Banner nomination: it probably doesn’t even matter since it’s been a few days already…

Anyway, yet another treat for the feet guy. (Would they even see this? Would anyone?)

Blur but close-up shot of Eris’ feet as she is diving

@rikka@ani.social

Nice meeting ya

Ooh

Guess I got to check out a few episodes then.

RE:ZERO S4 - 5/10 - I’d have to write entire essay to justify this score, but the gist is that I can’t force myself to grow into liking these characters, and from psychological horror it turned into something that resembles your typical isekais too much. This season had some strong episodes that reminded me of S1 and S2, but they were just few and far between

Oof, that sucks; I was considering picking it up again.

I was going to ask if this season of Re:Zero is more similar to the earlier seasons or the latest one, but you have already answered it before I have to.

Guess it shall stay dropped 🤷

This has been a banger of a season. It’s not quite as stacked as Winter 2026, but I’m on track to complete 10 series this season!

New Anime

Good

BanG Dream! YUME∞MITA

It has a very strong start, but started faltering halfway through the season. I am not sure how to put it. Maybe the drama can be better written? To be fair, I don’t think the writing of Ave Mujia (which I enjoyed more) is much better. The thing is, Ave Mujica has quite a few entertaining plot threads and twists. Yume Mita on the other hand has only one big central drama and if that doesn’t deliver, 🤷

Don’t get me wrong - even though it failed to live up to my initial expectations, I still enjoyed it. The girls are cute, the comedic bits can hit at times and the drama is sufficiently engaging IMO. If you are looking for more CGDCT to watch, I’d say this is a decent choice.

Great

WIP

Top-Tier

WIP

Peak

WIP

Sequels

WIP

little Yasumi hugs sensei

ninja cutting onions

this shit… is so ass

Now we know where the budget for episode 8 went. The aerial battles are what this anime do best, and boy did it deliver on this front. In fact, it reminded me of Gundam’s at times.

One thing I was left wondering is: what happened to that Federation mage commander? There’s no way Tanya get rid of him so easily, so how did she shook him off?

A Busybody Girl, Falling in Love

Nice recommendation; followed.

Here are the couple or so frames that flashed briefly:

Lara’s sister

crying Lara

Pretty haunting / creepy…

These - especially crying Lara - would be perfect as episode banners, if not for the fact that this is the final episode. Such grim pictures don’t fit a happy ending.

Congratulations, Grandma!

“Congratulations, Grandma!” is wild 💀

Anyway, noped out after the first 1.5 mins. This is clearly the POV of alternate-timeline Rudeus, and it’s going to be tragic, ain’t it?

Imma watch this episode with the last episode - which should end on a happier note, hopefully.

Will you call me “onii-sama”?

Bro wants to be referred to as onii sama…💀

Related:

Image

oh yeah… this is cinema… !

standing ovation

The episode is too short is usual 😭

With only one episode left, I wonder how they will wrap this up. The story of the schoolgirls is cute and all, but I am more invested in sensei’s story. I hope it would have a satisfying ending.

The obvious happy way to end the season would be: the girls’ latest work get accepted by the editor, which in turn reignites sensei’s passion and get her back into creating manga.

It could be a red herring but right now Zettour seems the most likely to the mole.

I don’t see Rudersdorf going down that easily though. I bet he already got wind of the plan and has counters of his own.

Or maybe it’s a 300 IQ play, and the plan to have Rudersdorf assassinated is in fact concocted between Zettour and himself. I’d imagine the ruse would allow them to trace the information leakage to the mole.

If that is indeed the case, our poor Tanya is a poor sacrificial pawn and risk being made public enemy number one. Unless… there is another plot twist that reveals that all of these are in fact orchestrated by the girl herself.

Also, I forgot to mention this last episode but the Empire’s war situation mirrors Tanya’s situation with god quite a bit, doesn’t it? It could all be over if they just let go of their pride.

Banner nomination: hope this gives someone a jumpscare while they scroll their phone in the dark

scary Tanya

@rikka@ani.social

it isn’t a power fantasy

It’s not so blatant early on, but it absolute is.

Is Animal Farm a romanticization or condemnation?

Personally, I thought the title - Saga of Tanya the Evil - made it pretty clear.

The anime hasn’t reach the point where the fact that Kazuma got isekaied was brought up.

Good because it is an isekai? It’s when they address the isekai-ed character’s previous life and make it an actual plot point.

It’s probably no coincidence that some of these isekais are all-time favourites of anime fans:

• Mushoku Tensei / Jobless Reincarnation
• Re:Zero
• Saga of Tanya the Evil

Personal favourite:

• Isekai Office Worker (actively worked on getting back to original world)

Typical villain bahvaviour

You made me wait a whole five minutes.

I’m speechless. This episode is so good.

Live for love, not for the laws.

Wise words.

If I have to take a stab at how the finale will pan out: maybe Mari would offer to turn herself into a mermaid for Lara’s sake. This would in turn moved Lara, triggering her princess light, which would then restore everything to how things should be. And finally, they all live happily ever after.

…

That was anti-climatic.

Oh wow I was not expecting Shizuka’s serious arc in this season 😮

But in hindsight, it makes so much sense to use this arc as a climax. Such a good call from the director.

Banner nomination: ShizuNano

Shizuka x Nano

@rikka@ani.social

went into boring social interactions

That’s one issue I find with stories written to be realistic. I tend to find these relatively boring (too?).

Probably not just me (us?) who feel this way, which explains the popularity of battle shounens, fantasies, isekais, etc.

Yep, they knew all along. Not just Boraqchin, but Ogedai too.

Reminds me of the quote “The kindest person in the room is often the smartest.”

This was, in some sense, a recap episode 🗿

It’s been a fun ride.

Embrace it

Be like Saitama from One Punch Man