dr. b

The last few chapters of Akane-banashi were just fantastic all around. I really liked the flashback panels with Chocho, Taizen, and Akane's dad mixed in throughout her performance. It all just fit and flowed so nicely. I would have been mega bummed out if she didn't get Taizen's recommendation. Spy x Family kind of feels like a story that isn't intended to ever have an ending. Like, there is a story that runs through it and keeps developing, but there is at the same time an episodic nature to each arc as well. I feel like it will eventually just end with Loid, Yor, and Anya still happily in the same situation. The East/West thing is never truly solved--but they don't go to war either--and Loid keeps having to operate as Twilight perpetually. They never learn each other's secrets, etc. There will be ups and downs in terms of how good the story is at any given time. Hopefully it gets its groove back soon.

I must say, I’m not super hyped for the winter season. But we’ve gotta have a seasonal thread, so here we are Links: MAL Winter 2024 AniChart I’ve looked over the MAL page a couple times now and honestly nothing is jumping out at me. Once I know what Crunchyroll will have streaming, I might take a closer look at a couple things. I think I would love to watch a good slice-of-life or light-hearted teenage romance story (e.g. something along the lines of Horimiya or Skip and Loafer) this winter. I’m not sure if anything new is going to scratch that itch though. This winter might end up being a backlog-catch-up season instead. Is there anything you are looking forward to?

You still keeping up with stuff in Jump, @Psycho666Soldier ? I am still really enjoying everything that's happening in The Elusive Samurai, Sakamoto Days, and Akane-banashi. They are all really going strong. Elusive Samurai and Sakamoto both feel like they could be slowly nearing the end, but who knows. That could still be weeks and months away. In Elusive Samurai, the Intermission chapters were back around #110 if I remember correctly. I kind of took that to be roughly a halfway point in the story. If you're not up-to-date on Akane-banashi then you gotta get caught up! JJK also seems dangerously close to finally wrapping up the Culling Game arc. I sure hope it's done soon. There has been some fantastic action at times, but it's also been confusing and too long. I would be quite happy if the series wraps after this arc. I feel like I've had my fill. Spy x Family and Chainsaw Man have underwhelmed me a bit in recent weeks. They're not bad, but they're also not living up to my expectations and the high standards that the authors have set for themselves. After watching the Mashle anime over the winter, I picked up the manga where the anime left off. Around chapter #75 IIRC, which meant only ~90 chapters to finish the story. I blitzed through it pretty quickly. It was good in general with some great action moments mixed in. The whole thing is very kooky. And times the kookiness works for me, other times it's just kinda dumb.

I was curious about Loser Ranger... buuuuut it's on Disney+ so that's a bit of an obstacle for me. I am basically Crunchyroll-or-bust, except for the occasional Netflix series. I'm also pretty bummed out that Jellyfish Can't Swim at Night is on HIDIVE and not Crunchy. Fortunately, everything else I was looking forward to is on Crunchy, and--so far so good--I am enjoying everything. RoOT has not been as good as the O.G. OddTaxi, but that's a pretty high bar to try to clear. I still think RoOT is enjoyable. It's an interesting and different spin on OddTaxi. Hibike! Euphonium is probably AOTS for me. Animation is as beautiful as before. I still love the characters. Some of the new first-year characters seem to be fun so far too. I'm so happy this show is back. Train to the End of the World is really quirky and weird. Probably kind of a like-it-or-hate-it kind of show. I am in the LIKE camp. It's only been one episode so far of both Kaiju No. 8 and KonoSuba. Liked what I've seen so far. Bartender is probably the weakest of the bunch for me this season, but I enjoy it for the chill atmosphere and all the booze talk

First episode back of KonoSuba was a barrel of laughs I missed these crazy characters. I enjoyed the first episode of Kaiju No. 8 a lot too. It was a bit more silly than I was expecting (not in a bad way). Definitely looks like a keeper. Then I’ll pick up the manga from wherever the anime ends.

Watched the second episode last night and I’m still enjoying the vibes of this one. Definitely a keeper for me this season.

Seriously, slow starts for both Toronto and Seattle. Fortunately it’s a long season, so they have time to get on track. But for Toronto it just feels like more of 2023. Not fun! Expectations are getting lower…

Hibike! Euphonium is back in my life and I could not be happier Fantastic first episode back. I was smiling ear to ear throughout

The ending of Metallic Rouge was pretty good. Maybe a couple loose ends. But I was happy with it overall. Bones did some great work with this show! The aesthetics and style were fantastic. I will miss seeing and hearing the OP every week It’s a throw-back kind of tune. Definitely heavy inspiration from 80s and 90s music. Naomi = best girl I also checked out the first episode of Bartender: Kami no Glass. It was fun and chill. It is not AOTS material but I think I will enjoy it anyways.

Happy birthday my dude! Hope it’s a good one.

First episode of RoOT is out! I rather enjoyed it. OddTaxi was awesome. I’m looking forward to seeing the story retold in live action

I checked out the first episode of Train to the End of the World (Shuumatsu Train Doko e Iku?) last night. It is a weird anime original. The start is pretty trippy. I was not expecting this much weirdness just from reading the synopsis Weirdness in a good way IMO. I thought it was pretty interesting. Good enough to give it a couple more episodes, anyways.

I finally polished off Pluto last night on Netflix. Eight parts, roughly an hour each. It was really well done. Even if your not a fan of Astro Boy, I think it’s worth a look. Great Teacher Onizuka apparently goes onto Netflix on April 1st. I’m definitely going to re-watch that! GTO is going to be a heavy hit of nostalgia.

Jays win on opening day in Tampa

Happy webday 🎂

So @Eizan what do you think about the whole Ohtani / interpreter controversy??? I’m very curious to hear Ohtani’s statements today. The stories don’t all add up

Here’s one more I’ll have to add to my watch list. Not sure how I missed it the first time scrolling through the Crunchyroll lineup page! RoOT/Route of OddTaxi. It's live action interpretation of OddTaxi. I liked the trailer. Should be fun.

Frieren #28 — No spoilers, but I’m general this episode felt like a very fitting ending to what I thought was a fantastic series. I loved the story and pretty much the whole cast. Madhouse did incredible work with the animation. I’m sad it’s over.

So far this is what I have on my watch list for spring: KonoSuba: It’s been long enough since the last season that I’m looking forward to seeing these characters in action again. Should be lots of laughs. Kaiju No. 8: I keep saying I’m going to pick up the manga… then I never do it So I will start with the anime and then continue with the manga wherever the anime leaves off. Hibike! Euphonium Season 3: I am SO HYPED for this one! Absolutely loved the first two seasons Bartender: Kami no Glass: Sounds like something I will enjoy. Yoru no Kurage wa Oyogenai (Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night): Anime original by Doga Kobo. They’ve done some other originals that I enjoyed quite a bit. Sounds like something I might like based on the vague synopsis. Here’s hoping. I’ll see if anything else be piques my interest on Crunchyroll. TBD.

Done! Let the Winter 2024 season discussion continue — but let’s also look ahead to Spring. Here are some of the usual links: MAL Spring 2024 AniChart Spring 2024 Crunchyroll Spring 2024 lineup What are we all looking forward to this spring?

I have a Discord account that I never use due to a strong preference (and, let’s be honest, emotional attachment) for forums and IRC over Discord Maybe someday I’ll get over it and join the Center Discord… edit: Having said all that, it’s never too late to come back to the boards @Lucy ! Come acknowledge our birthday wishes

Starting to look ahead to the Spring season. There is some good stuff coming up! Rather than make a new thread for each season, I was thinking of renaming this one to “2024 Seasonal Anime” and just have one thread for the year. Any objections from you three?

LAST VISITED November 20, 2022 Happy birthday anyhow!