This pandemic continues, unfortunately. Some countries are claiming to have their ‘peaks’, and some countries (like my own) say that they’re trialing vaccines. In the anime business, meanwhile, last week saw the news of some shows being delayed or postponed, and to be honest, I predict that to continue over the next weeks. Now, even as I write this, I’ve learnt that Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei season 2, which was meant to be aired in the Summer season, is now being pushed forward to the Fall season. Not that I’m…too upset about that news; I mean, you can only ask Justin and he can tell you how much I love that show…
Kaguya-sama: Love is War Season 2 Episode 3
Back to this season, and season 2 of Kaguya-sama: Love is War continues to shine…and I mean really shine.
After a short spell on the roof where Miyuki reveals his love of astronomy (which of course throws some havoc in Kaguya’s plans), the four of them spend their final days as members of the Student Council, but not before both Kaguya and Miyuki drops bombshells on each other. Not quite the bombshells we were all expecting after their time as part of the Student Council, but nice ones nonetheless.
I’m noticing that season 2 of Kaguya-sama: Love is War has developed more of a linear story than what season 1 had. While season 1 ended up focusing a lot more on short but hilarious sketches on Miyuki’s and Kaguya’s plans to confess first, here in season 2, a story has emerged around the Student Council itself which might well be just as entertaining as what season 1’s sketches had. On the same note, though, I am slightly concerned by this. I mean, a lot of other comedy sketch shows have sequel seasons that end up going down the linear story route, and end up not being as good as their first seasons. Could the same thing happen here in what I considered a top 5 show last year? I hope not, and I would think a lot of us would hope not either.
So far in what’s left of this Spring season, Kaguya-sama: Love is War is at the top of the power rankings, and I think it’ll stay there for a good few weeks, if not the rest of the season…providing it doesn’t end up getting delayed/postponed. I’ll tell you this…I’d be quite upset if a top power rankings show like this ended up becoming a victim of this pandemic.
Wave, Listen to Me! Episode 4
Over to Wave, Listen to Me! now. I stand by my decision last week, in that while this has definitely become a popular show, I don’t think it’s quite gone the way Sunrise were hoping it would. I also made a passing joke about MAL, whose users still seem to flock to the big shounen/loli/isekai shows. So yeah, I do really enjoy how…multi-layered Wave, Listen to Me! is.
This week sees Minare’s old boss in a car accident, meaning she ends up back at her old restaurant job temporarily. Mysteriously, though, the sister of the other person in said car accident, arrives at the restaurant doorstep apologizing and asking for work. Reluctantly, both Minare and Nakahara accept her offer, and despite her gloomy demeanor, it doesn’t take a genius to see what happens next.
The show does revolve around Minare’s little world – the fact she’s now staying with Mizuho, the fact she is effectively still unemployed, her fear of what will happen with this planned late-night radio slot of hers, and now this mysterious woman who appears out of nowhere. It isn’t like Minare even has any feelings towards Nakahara, but this still bothers her somewhat. I still think that, despite her initial fear, things will get a whole lot more interesting when she gets her chance to shine on-air…even if it is at 3.30am.
I consider these last 4 episodes early episodes still, since we really haven’t had the chance to hear Minare on the radio yet, which was mostly the point of the show – I guess, I don’t fully know about that, since I haven’t read the manga. This crazy adult having crazy adult problems makes crazy good entertainment still, and I certainly hope that it won’t face the chopping block when it comes to delayed/postponed shows this season.
Tamayomi Episode 4
So while I’ve been getting a good level of satisfaction from both Kaguya-sama and Wave, Listen to Me!, I’m starting to worry some more about Tamayomi, especially after watching this week’s episode.
I’m not concerned about the story; following this rookie baseball team has been as entertaining as when it started in episode 1. What is concerning me a lot is that, at this point in episode 4, the animation quality has just become what I can only describe as really terrible. Now if we can relate this to the fact that Studio A-CAT is likely to be at minimal staff right now, then that’s something that I totally understand and won’t complain about. And so if this is the reason, then we might well anticipate future episodes of Tamayomi having this level of animation too.
This week, the team face off in their first practice match against a top-tier school team. This episode effectively gives the chance to see what level these girls are all at. Surprisingly (or not…depends on your perspective), we notice that all of the beginner players have at least one great feature about them, whether it be batting or catching or whatever. Another thing, though, is that this is supposed to be some kind of yuribait show as well, and yet we haven’t really had any of that so far, even at this point (a third of the way into the show).
So if there were any show that I’m watching this season that would irk me, then so far, it’s looking to be this one. If the poor animation quality is not Studio A-CAT’s fault, then that’s something that I can accept. Right now, though, I’m just not that pleased with the show in general, even if the story is something I can follow with ease. This is a shame, since Tamayomi was a show that I had planned to watch in a very relaxed manner, and not take too seriously. And because of this reason, I really had high hopes for it. Eh, let’s just wait and see what future episodes will be like; I mean, a good anime show isn’t all about the quality of the animation, and that’s a mantra I should keep reminding myself of time and time again.
Wotakoi: Love Is Hard For Otaku Episode 4
So while I ought to remind myself that an anime isn’t all about the animation, on the flip side, I have my out-of-season show to watch…and after I wasn’t so thrilled in watching episode 3 last week, I’m still sort of feeling that way here in episode 4. It’s almost like Wotakoi: Love Is Hard For Otaku has this je ne sais quoi for me, in that I can’t really put my finger precisely on why I’m not enjoying it the way I was hoping to when I started it. Saying that, though, I found episode 4 to be far more emotionally charged than the others so far.
I said last week that I found neither Narumi or Hirotaka to be that approachable. I’m not going to dismiss any of these characters that quickly though, but right now, I’m not really finding anything to like that much about any of them. Here in episode 4, we see a lot more of the relationship between Hanako and Kabakura, who are, unsurprisingly, dating…and have been for a long time – they just didn’t care to tell anyone. After a long drink after work, Hanako reveals some hidden insecurities she has, and that she believes Kabakura only chose to date her out of convenience. But this ends up leading Narumi to start thinking Hirotaka is doing the same to her.
I’m enjoying the relationship that Hanako and Kabakura have a whole lot more than what Narumi and Hirotaka have; the two of them argue a hell of a lot, but deep down, they genuinely do feel for each other…which seems like a lot more than what Narumi and Hirotaka have. I’m not surprised that Narumi is starting to have these ‘dating-out-of-convenience’ thoughts; their relationship still feels far too wooden. Here’s hoping future episodes will be just as good as this one was.
Even with this pandemic going, this column will still carry on, only I’ll have something else to do aside from reviewing shows from current seasons. I could take the chance to look at some more out-of-season shows; I know Justin wants me to do just that. In the meantime, I hope the rest of you are doing okay at home. How are you feeling about even more big franchise shows being delayed? Are you taking this opportunity to catch up on some older shows? Feel free to hit that like button and air your opinions in the comments below! And remember to stay at home and keep good hygiene!