Friday 19 January 2018

Anime Spotlight : Winter 2018 The Season of Slice of Life

2018 is off to a FANTASTIC start anime wise, not so much on the youtube front....I am pleased to say we have once again a very promising anime season with Winter 2018. There are quite a few sequels and a remake. Devilman Crybaby was released in it's entirety. Even though I didn't like it at all and personally think it's a complete waste of time. It is available on Netflix.

Sequels and spinoffs joining us this season are Basilisk - Ouka Ninpouchou, Emiya-san Chi no Kyou no Gohan(Fate/Stay Night cooking spinoff), Dagashi Kashi 2, Yowamushi Pedal - Glory Line, Nanatsu no Taizai Imashime no Fukkatsu, Overlord II and Cardcaptor Sakura_ Clear Card-hen.

As always I will only list the most promising NEW Anime starting this Season. So no sequels/spinoffs or the like. But enough rambling let's get to what you really wanted to see!

Violet Evergarden

Synopsis : There are words Violet heard on the battlefield, which she cannot forget. These words were given to her by someone she holds dear, more than anyone else. She does not yet know their meaning.

A certain point in time, in the continent of Telesis. The great war which divided the continent into North and South has ended after four years, and the people are welcoming a new generation.

Violet Evergarden, a young girl formerly known as "the weapon", has left the battlefield to start a new life at CH Postal Service. There, she is deeply moved by the work of "Auto Memories Dolls", who carry people's thoughts and convert them into words.

Violet begins her journey as an Auto Memories Doll, and comes face to face with various people's emotions and differing shapes of love. All the while searching for the meaning of those words.
Thoughts : KyoAni once again proves they are the best when it comes to animation. Yes UFOTABLE is flashier but just look at the A-list of great anime from KyoAni. Violet Evergarden is a visual and emotional treat thus far and I for one think it's the one to keep your eyes on this season.

Darling in the Franxx

Synopsis : They dream of one day flying into the endless sky, even though they are painfully aware of how far away the sky is beyond the glass that blocks their flight.

The distant future: Humanity established the mobile fort city, Plantation, upon the ruined wasteland and civilization flourished. Within the city were pilot quarters called Mistilteinn, otherwise known as the "Birdcage." That is where the children live... Not knowing anything of the outside world, and unaware of the vast sky. Their only mission in life was the fight.

Their enemies are the mysterious giant organisms known as Kyoryu. The children operate robots known as FRANXX in order to face these still unseen enemies because they believe that is their purpose in life. Among them was a boy who was once called a child prodigy: Code number 016, Hiro. However, now he's a failure and considered unneeded. Those who cannot pilot FRANXX basically do not exist.

One day, a mysterious girl called Zero Two appears in front of Hiro. From her face grew two alluring horns.

"I've found you, my Darling."
Thoughts : Trigger and Mecha, what a fantastic mix that almost always ends up being great. Darling in the FranXX has a first episode with quite a lot of information being shown to us, but what a first episode it was!

Citrus

Synopsis : Fashionable Yuzu imagined the first day at her new school she transferred to after her mother's remarriage a bit differently; she didn't know it'd be an ultra-strict and conservative girls' school. So instead of a sweet high-school romance, she butts heads with the stern student council president Mei - who turns out to be her new stepsister. And she has to learn that hate and attraction are often not that far apart.
Thoughts : I'll admit I am biased towards yuri anime, so shoot me :D. Some more sensitive people or rather the easily offended, are not happy with the kissing scenes so far. But I am intrigued even though Yuzu keeps doing stuff that just makes things worse...most of the time

Killing Bites

Synopsis : Killing Bites are underworld duels between human-animal hybrids.
One beast who knows no fear will fight in this animalistic world full of fear and insanity.

This ultimate battle of the beasts will shock you to your core!
Thoughts : For those looking for a bit more gore and sexy abs in their anime Killing Bites provides in spades! The human hybrid thing kind off reminded me of Terra Formars, but with a lot less cockroaches, and much better abs...just look at them!

Sora Yori mo Tooi Basho

Synopsis : Our first step was always curiosity. For unseen sights, unheard sounds, unsmelled scents, untouched textures, untasted tastes, and unfelt excitement. We travel to find the bits and pieces that we’d forgotten at some point. Howling at 40 degrees, going mad at 50 degrees, screaming at 60 degrees, to the primordial lands beyond the great oceans, at the edge of the earth, far removed from human civilization. This is the story of four girls who travel to the Antarctic, further even than outer space.
Thoughts : I love a good adventure anime, and Sora Yori mo Tooi Basho promises us just that! Quite a few laughs in the first few episodes thus far. I eagerly await the new episodes each week.

That concludes my top 5 picks of the season, though as the season progresses things change, some shows start slow, others start great and fall apart later on. So always fun to see which ends up being the best in the end. But don't worry here is information on the rest of the anime I'm interested in...

Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san : What an adorable anime about a girl teasing the guy she likes, it will be fun to see if their relationship ever progresses.

Yuru Camp : Slice of life and camping. Two things I enjoy! Yuru Camp brings them together in a very fun mix, and I'll be frank, it was very close to being a top pick for me.

Koi wa Ameagari no You ni : Noitamina shows rarely disappoint and this one about a high school girl that has a crush and a middle aged manager that has a child looks quite promising so far.

Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyousoukyoku : The isekai genre is huge right now and Death March looks to be another great addition to it. Featuring a game developer suddenly find in a setting much like the games he made...it's quite interesting, especially his thoughts.

Marchen Madchen : Not exactly Isekai but close enough. Marchen Madchen could also be described as Harry Potter...with just girls and some yuri vibes...

Kokkoku : If you don't want something cute or funny, Kokkoku brings with it a grim world where people with the power to stop time do horrible things to each. Not for sensitive folk.

Beatless : This anime with battle android reminds me of some older anime I loved. Mahoromatic and Steel Angel Kurumi, but with less sweetness and more android battles! First episode was very enjoyable and action packed!

Toji no Miko : In a world where shrine maidens fight demonlike monsters with swords. There are bound to be some evil conspiracies. Toji no Miko seems promising so far at least...

Miira no Kaikata : What would you do if your dad sent you a cute mummy as a present? Welp I don't either but so far the first episode was fairly cute.

Hakumei to Mikochi : An anime about REALLY TINY PEOPLE living in a forest. First episode was okay. Remains to be seen if I'll stick to this anime or not.

Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens : A Crossdressing Assasin that is guarding the Detective he was supposed to kill makes for a weird combination, but so far it has me interested...

Takunomi : Country girl moves to the big city(Tokyo) to get a job, Obviously the best way to welcome her is with drinks! It seems this slice of life will have it's fair bit of information on alcoholic beverages.

Grancrest Senki : Magic! Lords! Demons! and a strange system involving Crests that determines ones ranking. So far it's pretty okay.

Slow Start : Some slice of life fun with quite a bit of lewd jokes, enjoyable so far. Especially as something to just watch and relax with.

Mitsuboshi Colors : The animation in this reminds me a lot of Ichigo Mashimaru, For now it's still fun to watch how the three girls "keep the peace" by toying with the officer. 
Ryuuou no Oshigoto! : Another Shogi anime, but unlike 3-Gatsu no Lion, this one doesn't have a depressing theme. It does however have a bit of harem vibe and quite a few laughs so far.

Ramen Daisuki Koizumi-san : And lastly we have this. I like how the differences in ramen gets explained in detail and the running jokes so far are pretty fun.

And that concludes my first impressions of the winter 2018 anime season so far. All in all I see many of enjoyable anime to watch. But who knows what the future holds and heck I might even drop some of my top picks if shit goes sour. But that's life.

If you don't see a title on here I'm not following it. Thanks again for reading and please share your thoughts with me.

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