Anime Hajime Review: Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Yuuta Segawa (voiced by Wataru Hatano) lost his parents at a young age. His older sister, Yuri (voiced by Sayaka Ohara), took it upon herself to raise him. Thus, ensuring that the two would not separate. Years later, Yuuta is a freshman in college and Yuri has married into a new family.

Being busy, Yuuta hasn't been able to spend time with his sister. Now with things a little calmer, he can finally be a part of his three niece’s lives.

Sora Takanashi (voiced by Sumire Uesaka), the eldest of the three, is the daughter of Yuri’s husband and his late wife. A responsible older sister, she has had a long-standing crush on Yuuta.

Miu Takanashi (voiced by Eri Kitamura), the middle sibling, is Yuri's husband’s daughter from his second marriage. She likes to tease her older sister, but she is also there to lend her support.

Hina Takanashi (voiced by Hiromi Igarashi), the youngest, is Yuri’s own daughter. She always goes about her day with a smile.

The sisters are close and see Yuri as a loving mother. Then the unthinkable happens.

Anime Hajime Review: One Punch Man

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for One Punch Man. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

The world has many strange and powerful monsters threatening the peace of daily life. It is the job of the Heroes Association to counter the never-ending onslaught. This is also a good way for someone to win praise, recognition, and job security. With an ever-growing roster, the Association is ready to face any potential disaster.

Alternatively, the Earth can rely on the one man who chooses to be a hero for fun.

Saitama (voiced by Makoto Furukawa) has always had a strong sense of justice. Though a bit of a derp, he's the first to jump to anyone’s rescue. On a whim, he made the decision to train his body to fight the forces of evil.

As a result, Saitama transformed himself into the most powerful hero in history. He now has the strength to defeat any enemy with a single punch.

Yet the Association’s rigid bureaucracy has left Saitama as a relative unknown. However, his abilities have not gone unnoticed. He even manages to find a disciple, the cyborg Genos (voiced by Kaito Ishikawa).

When all other heroes fail, Saitama is the only one who can do what they cannot. And he makes it look easy.

Anime Hajime Review: Avenger

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Avenger. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

After Earth's destruction, the last of humanity has colonized Mars. Most people live scattered across the red surface in domed cities. Necessary resources have become scarce and lawlessness runs rampant. The last vestiges of order are tournaments between representatives of the different settlements.

Compounding this harsh reality, Earth’s former moon is now on a collision course with the planet. But, the end may come much sooner.

No children have been born for the past decade. To fill the lack of a child’s presence, human-like dolls serve the people. While they may look like kids, the artificial nature of these dolls cannot fill the void. There is, however, one exception.

A doll by the name of Nei (voiced by Mika Kanai) is the most advanced model that has ever existed. Drifting around, Nei finds a powerful new master.

Layla Ashely (voiced by Megumi Toyoguchi) is a Barbaroi, a person not attached to any city. She has gained a reputation for being a strong fighter who has never lost a fight. She is also quite open about her intention to kill the most formidable person on the planet. This is none other than the de facto ruler of Mars, Volk (voiced by Hiroshi Yanaka).

Anime Hajime Review: Double J

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Double J. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Hajime Usami (voiced by Ayuru Ohashi) and Sayo Arima (voiced by Emiri Kato) have stumbled across the Cultural Activity Preservation Club. Here students continue the arts of ancient Japanese handicrafts.

Hajime and Sayo don’t know any traditional disciplines. Nor do they put forward much effort to join the club at all. Yet they decide to stick around anyway. After some time, Hajime finds some interest in mastering a classic art form.

Other members include Club President Ichiro Toba (voiced by Nobuyuki Hiyama). He claims to be a descendant of Toba Sojo, the person credited with creating the first manga. Determined to live up to that legacy, Ichiro’s attempts to modernize his ancestor's works.

Aya Chosokabae (voiced by Kanami Satou) is the Preservation Club’s Vice President. She writes the fortunes one can get at any shrine or temple in Japan. The current economic and social climate determines what she writes.

Maria Sassa (voiced by Chiaki Omigawa) is from a long line of wood carvers. Her family specializes in toothpicks. Not the pointy bit mind you. But rather they carve the grooves on the other end.

Anime Hajime Review: Toshokan Sensou

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Toshokan Senso. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

30 years ago, The Japanese government passed the Media Betterment Act. With it came the Media Betterment Committee, the MBC. This organization holds the authority to censor any form of media deemed harmful to society. Opposition to this affront to free speech led to the Freedom of Libraries Act. Local governments could now establish counter-groups known as the Library Defense Force.

Since then, the MBC and Defense Forces have faced off in a never-ending battle.

Iku Kasahara (voiced by Marina Inoue) is the newest librarian at the Kanto Library Base. She has committed herself to defending the public's right to information.

Unfortunately, life at the base is anything but easy. This is thanks to her hard nose superior officer, Atsushi Dojo (voiced by Tomoaki Maeno).

While not the most stellar of recruits, Iku’s passion hasn't gone unnoticed. She soon joins the ranks of the Library Task Force to help face the MBC.

The job is dangerous but important. Thus, Iku does everything in her power to live up to the honor of the Defense Force.

Anime Hajime Review: Black Bullet

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Black Bullet. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

In the year 2021, humanity is almost brought to extinction due to the Gastrea epidemic. Mankind survived the outbreak and took refuge behind the Monolith Walls. These barriers, made of solid Varanium, can repel the monstrous Gastrea.

To fight the remaining fiends, governments employ organizations known as Civil Securities. Each Civil Officer team consist of an Initiator and a Promoter.

An Initiator is someone born with the Gastrea virus inside them, thus giving them superhuman abilities. Unfortunately, these carriers hold the stigma of Cursed Children. As such, the society they are protecting shun them. Therefore, Initiators must rely on their Promoters to lead them through battle.

One of these pairs is Promoter Rentaro Satomi (voiced by Yuki Kaji) and Initiator Enju Aihara (voiced by Rina Hidaka).

The nature of this duo's work is always filled with danger and little appreciation. Despite that, these two fight to save a world that would sooner have Enju dead than accept her.

Anime Hajime Review: Joshi Kosei

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Joshi Kosei. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Eriko Takahashi's (voiced by Hitomi Nabatame) dream has come true. She has become a high school student. Not only that, she will be attending an all-girls school. In her mind, this means a paradise of sophistication and femininity.

Eriko, along with her friends, Yuma Suzuki (voiced by Masumi Asano) and Ayano Sato (voiced by Mamiko Noto), her contain their excitement. Except there is one problem. It turns out a school with only girls is not the Eden Eriko were expecting.

It seems when there are no boys to impress, girls just stop caring. Once private, embarrassing, and non-hygienic topics are now out in the open. That and the word "reservation" no longer hold any meaning.

This harsh reality is then confirmed by some middle school veterans of the academy, Akari Kouda (voiced by Satsuki Yukino), Kyoko Himeji (voiced by Kyoko Hikami), and Ikue Ogawa (voiced by Sawa Ishige).

Though rough, this team of six make the most of the situation. And with a range of over the top personalities, this appointed Moron Group are always the center of attention.

Anime Hajime Review: Free

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Free. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Haruka Nanase (voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki) has always found peace in the water. That passion stems from his time with his swim team back in elementary school. Since then, Haruka has never lost that connection with his teammates Makoto Tachibana (voiced by Tatsuhisa Suzuki), Nagisa Hazuki (voiced by Tsubasa Yonaga), and Matsuoka (voiced by Mamoru Miyano).

Following a resounding team victory, Rin moved abroad to a prestigious swimming academy. Thus, the group has remained broken until they entered high school.

Learning of Rin’s return, Haruka, Makoto, and Nagisa revive the Iwatobi High School Swim Club. Haruka, in particular, hopes to share the water with Rin once again. Even if that means they will be on opposing teams.

However, a three-member club won't cut it. The trio, therefore, manages to recruit newcomer, Rei Ryugazaki (voiced by Daisuke Hirakawa).

Unbeknownst to the Iwatobi Swim Club, they have set off a chain of events. Events that will test if their friendship was more than a simple victory.

Anime Hajime Review: Charlotte

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Charlotte. Reader discretion is advised.

Series Synopsis

There are those with the ability to do amazing things. Yuu Otosaka (voiced by Koki Uchiyama) is one such person. He has the ability to possess another anyone. Even if it's only for five seconds.

Yuu has used his power to get everything he has ever wanted. This has thus made him cocky and rude. His world then turns upside down when he meets Nao Tomori (voiced by Ayane Sakura).

As the student council president of Hoshinoumi Academy, Noa has a huge responsibility. Her school is a safe haven for those with unique gifts. It is the job of the student council to locate these people before they fall into more devious hands.

Nao convinces Yuu to use his ability for the greater good. With this, the two begin a difficult journey to save as many people as possible. As well as confronting the hardships their circumstances bring.

Anime Hajime Review: Kaiba

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Kaiba. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

A boy (voiced by Houko Kuwashima) wakes up in the middle of what seems to be a battle. On top of that, he has lost all his memories, including his name. The only clue he has is a pendant containing a blurry picture of a girl.

Out of nowhere, the boy is attacked. While on the run from his pursuers, the intricacies of this world start to come together.

People can store their memories as digital files. This allows anyone to transfer their consciousness into whatever body they like. Except this process is quite expensive. Thus, only the very rich can afford to do so. Everyone else must live in a lawless wasteland of impoverishment.

The boy manages to escape his current planet and blasts off into an unknown universe. He takes the name Warp and begins a quest to recover his memories. As well as discover his connection to the girl in his pendant.

Anime Hajime Review: Pupa

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Pupa. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

This is the story of Utsutsu Hasegawa (voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki) and his younger sister Yume (voiced by Ibuki Kido). The siblings have lived a difficult life. One that has made them close. As such Utsutsu has vowed to protect his sister no matter what.

Then on one fateful day, his words are put to the test.

Yume transforms into a terrifying monster with a craving for human meat. Watching his sister go on a feeding spree, Utsutsu tries to reach out to her. Yume can hear her brother, but the monster has no part of it and attacks.

Hours later, Utsutsu wakes up in some kind of laboratory. Here he learns he and his sister are hosts for the Pupa virus. Poor Yume has succumbed to the full brunt of its monstrous effects. But Utsutsu has gained the ability of regeneration.

Yume is beyond saving. However, there is a way to satisfy her appetite. She must feed on the flesh of her own brother.

Anime Hajime Review: Hidamari Sketch

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Hidamari Sketch. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Yamabuki Arts is a top vocational academy for aspiring artist. And across the street is the small Hidamari Apartment building.

Yuno (voiced by Kana Asumi) has dreamed of attending the famous art school and she lives in room 201. Soft-spoken and compassionate, she soon befriends the other residents.

Miyako (voiced by Kaori Mizuhashi) is Yuno’s neighbor, classmate, and closest friend. She is a skilled artist and the polar opposite of the low key Yuno. Loud, bombastic, and spontaneous, she moves with little rhyme or reason.

Hiro (voiced by Yuko Goto) is a year older than Yuno and Miyako and lives on the floor below them. A source of moral support, she is the mother figure for the group.

Sae (voiced by Ryoko Shintani) is best friends with Hiro as well as her next-door neighbor. A published author, she attends Yamabuki so she can draw the illustrations for her novels.

These four spend their time bettering their art, living their lives, and always together.

Anime Hajime Review: Mayoi Neko Overrun

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Mayoi Neko Overrun. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Based in the small café, Stray Cats, a group of friends spend their high school days hanging out.

Takumi Tsuzuki (voiced by Nobuhiko Okamoto) and Fumino Serizawa (voiced by Kanae Ito) have known each other for years. The two are close, but in the case of Fumino, feelings go much deeper

Fumino is unable to express her thoughts and has a habit of saying the opposite of what she means. This is a secret known by pretty much everybody. This includes Fumino's arch-rival, Chise Umenomori (voiced by Yuka Iguchi).

One day, Takumi’s adoptive older sister, Otome Tsuzuki (voiced by Satomi Sato), brings a girl by the name of Nozomi Kiriya (voiced by Ayana Taketatsu).

Nozomi is quiet, mysterious, and very cat-like. Yet she finds comfort in Takumi, Fumino, and Chise’s friendship.

The crew of Stray Cats goes about their lives, getting into many different adventures.

Anime Hajime Review: Non Non Biyori Repeat

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Non Non Biyori Repeat. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Welcome back to the small peaceful town of Asahigaoka. Here the sky is huge, the air is clean, and the school is small.

Renge Miyauchi (voiced by Kotori Koiwai) is your typical first grader. She is curious about the many oddities of life around her. She knows little and cares even less about the world outside her hometown.

Hotaru Ichijo (voiced by Rie Murakawa) is a transfer student from Tokyo. Though awed by the unfamiliar atmosphere, she grows accustomed to country life. Her soft-spoken demeanor envelops her in a mature light, despite only being in the fifth grade.

Sisters Natsumi (voiced by Ayane Sakura) and Komari Koshigaya (voiced by Kana Asumi) are in sixth and seventh grade. Natsumi's energetic, impulsive and a poor student. Komari is self-conscious about her short stature and does not do well with scary things.

These four continue to spend their time exploring their home, going to school, and having fun.

It's amazing how after an entire year so many things can change. All the while feeling as though nothing was ever that different, to begin with.

Anime Hajime Review: Ore Monogatari

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Ore Monogatari. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Do not judge Takeo Goda (voiced by Takuya Eguchi) on appearances. If you were to do, you would only see an intimidating specimen of a man. You would miss the kind and friendly person he is.

Takeo has had zero luck with ladies. Thanks in part to his towering presence. Though unfortunate, it doesn't stop him from smiling. If given the chance, people soon recognize him as the gentle giant he his. Such as his best friend, Makoto Sunakawa (voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki).

One day while on the subway, Takeo saves a girl from an obnoxious creep. After the rescue, Takeo's heart skips a beat when the beautiful young lady thanks him.

Takeo is later visited by the girl who introduces herself as Rinko Yamato (voiced by Megumi Han). In the wake of such bravery, she has fallen head over heels for Takeo. In a joyous union, the two begin a fairy tale romance.

Takeo and Rinko have since become inseparable. There is no one who can deny how much they love each other.

Anime Hajime Review: Grenadier

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Grenadier. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

The world has fallen victim to endless violence. There are many who seek to eliminate such strife. Most who do believe the only way to do that is through force.

Then there are those like Rushuna Tendou (voiced by Mikako Takahashi). She is a gunslinger who travels the land without killing her opponents. Instead, she uses kindness to remove their desire to fight.

Though nonviolent, Rushuna is more than capable of dominating any foe. A skilled sharpshooter, she that can disarm dozens of enemies with ease. She is a superb tactician and a seasoned warrior.

While on her journey, Rushuna meets a swordsman by the name of Yajiro Kojima (voiced by Kazuya Nakai). Accustom to the ways of conventional warfare, Yajiro finds Rushuna naïve. Upon witnessing her skills, he decides to give her teachings a try.

Rushuna’s quest turns complicated when she becomes the target of the capital city. Having done nothing wrong, she heads off to correct this gross misunderstanding.

Anime Hajime Review: Hanamonogatari

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Hanamonogatari and all previous installments to the Monogatari series. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Suruga Kanbaru (voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro) laments over losing her two beloved upperclassmen to graduation. Life has become lonelier and a little boring.

Still cursed by the monkey’s paw, Suruga has adjusted her life to accommodate its existence. She continues to live what many may consider a happy life. Even if it is a hollow one.

One day she hears rumor of devil that can solve any problem with no questions asked.

Out of curiosity, Suruga tracks down this so-called devil. Who she finds is another high schooler like herself. Except that isn’t quite true. This person was her arch nemesis from her basketball days, Roka Numachi (voiced by Kana Asumi).

An injury resigned Roka to a leg cast for the past three years. Thus destroying a promising career. The only solace she has found is removing the misery within other. Even if it means fostering her own selfish desires.

Suruga's involvement increases upon learning of Roka's second hobby. Along with misery, she has been collecting the parts of an actual devil. One Suruga knows well.

Anime Hajime Review: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai. Reader discretion is advised. ***

Series Synopsis

The small country town of Hinamizawa remains cursed.

Time and time again, the village has witnessed countless acts of violence. And the residents have been stuck in a perpetual loop surrounding the June of 1983. It seems that fate has doomed this land to suffer the same tragedy for eternity.

Throughout the course of each cycle, one of four scenarios will play out.

One, Keiichi Maebara (voiced by Soichiro Hoshi) succumbs to deep paranoia. Two, twins Shion and Mion Sonozaki's (voiced by Satsuki Yukino) psyche snaps. Third, Satoko Houjou (voiced by Mika Kanai) must suffer at the hands of her abusive uncle. Four, Rena Ryugu (voiced by Mai Nakahara) believes to uncovers a plot that will lead to the death of everyone.

When one world ends, the next begins. At the center of it all is the one who appears destined to die, Rika Furude (voiced by Yukari Tamura).

Yet for the first time, hope has made itself known. Perhaps the curse of this endless June will finally end.

Anime Hajime Review: Welcome to the NHK

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Welcome to the NHK. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Ninety-nine percent of conspiracies are nothing more than the rantings of nut jobs. Tatsuhiro Sato (voiced by Yutaka Koizumi) believes he's discovered that genuine one percent.

Sato knows he's become the target of the world's most vile organization. The Nihon Hikikomori Kyokay, a.k.a. the NHK. Their goal is to turn functioning members of society into crippling recluses. Or in Japanese, a hikikomori. To combat the threat, Sato has secluded himself in his apartment for the past several years.

One day, Sato has a chance run-in with a cute girl who seemed unaffected by his bizarre anti-social behavior.

After the encounter, Sato receives a strange note instructing him to go to a nearby park. On a whim, he obliges and to his surprise, he meets the girl from before.

Misaki Nakahara (voiced by Yui Makino) claims she can cure Sato of his hikikomori ways. Dismissing the claim, Sato has no interest in the proposed counseling sessions.

Anime Hajime Review: Non Non Biyori

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Non Non Biyori. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Welcome to Asahigaoka, a small village far and away from the conveniences of the big city. There are no large supermarkets. The trains and buses are few and far between. And the only school consists of five students in one tiny classroom.

Renge Miyauchi (voiced by Kotori Koiwai) is your typical first grader. She is curious about the many oddities of life around her. She knows little and cares even less about the world outside her hometown.

Hotaru Ichijo (voiced by Rie Murakawa) is a transfer newest student from Tokyo. Though awed by the unfamiliar atmosphere, she grows accustomed to country life. Her soft-spoken demeanor envelops her in a mature light. Despite only being in the fifth grade.

Sisters Natsumi (voiced by Ayane Sakura) and Komari Koshigaya (voiced by Kana Asumi) are in sixth and seventh grade. Natsumi's energetic, impulsive and a poor student. Komari is self-conscious about her short stature and does not do well with scary things. They also have an older brother named Suguru in their class. But he doesn’t say much.

Anime Hajime Review: Joshiraku

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Joshiraku. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

This anime is full of ordinary dialogue so that viewers can fully enjoy how cute the girls are.

-Joshiraku Episode 1

In the dressing room of a small theater sit five rakugo comedians.

Marii Buratei (voiced by Ayane Sakura) is the loudest and most spontaneous of the group. She is often the spark of discussion or the butt of many jokes.

Kigurumi Harokitei (voiced by Kotori Koiwai) is the youngest. To match her childlike appearance, she behaves and talks in a cute and innocent fashion. A clever act to hide her true, ruder nature.

Tetora Bohatei (voiced by Nozomi Yamamoto) is always laid back and carefree. She almost never succumbs to stress or hardship. Her level of good fortune is the stuff of legend.

Gankyo Kurubiyutei (voiced by Yoshino Nanjo) is the most level-headed. Despite her analytical mind, she can turn violent. She harbors a short fuse and limited patience.

Kukuru Anrakutei (voiced by Saori Goto) is the quietest of the group. Yet her emotions are unstable. She finds pleasure in negativity.

Anime Hajime Review: Fight Ippatsu! Juden-chan!!

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Fight Ippatsu! Juden-chan! Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

A Charger Girl maintains and removes depression within the human world. When someone's self-confidence falls, they're rejuvenated with a shot of electricity. Thus, replenishing their energy and positivity.

Plug Cryostat (voiced by Kaori Fukuhara) is one of these Charger Girls.

Though she loves her job, Plug isn’t that good at it. Yet she remains dedicated and wishes to help the people in her care. Her goal isn't to relieve depression. Instead, she hopes to remove it at the source.

Like all Charger Girls, Plug has the ability to use phasing. This makes her invisible to human eyes. However, she meets Sento Oumi (voiced by Hiroki Takahashi). To her shock, he is the first human who can interact with her.

Due to her dismal work ethic, Plug's placed under the supervision of Alesta Blanket (voiced by Ayahi Takagaki). The polar opposite to Plug, Alesta can't stand how her junior performs her job. In contrast, Plug finds it annoying how Alesta keeps getting in the way of her work.

Despite differing personalities, Plug, Alesta, and Sento work to keep depression levels down.

Anime Hajime Review: Yamishibai Season 2

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers Yamishibai Season Two. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Yamishibai continues with thirteen more stories of the strange and the macabre.

Taro-chan - A ventriloquist performs his act with his old wooden puppet.

Kitchen - A woman visits her friend’s new apartment. While there, she can’t shake the feeling she's being watched.

Inside - A boy returns home with an old Russian doll. The boy's mother takes the thing to throw it away. She returns hours later cradling the doll.

Wall Woman - A man sees a strange creature climb up the side of a building. Right into an unsuspecting apartment.

Locker - A girl is struggling with love and decides to test out an urban legend. Rumor has it, there's a locker with the ability to grant any wish.

Nao-chan - While a family sleeps, the young son smiles at the ceiling. Looking into the shadows, the boy whispers the name Nao-chan.

Anime Hajime Review: Himouto! Umaru-chan

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Himouto! Umaru-chan. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Umaru Doma (voiced by Aimi Tanaka) is, in the absence of a better phrase, perfect in every way. Great looks, intelligent, good at sports, and an absolute pleasure to be around. She is the epitome of excellence. Or at least, that is how she is in public. Only her older brother Taihei (voiced by Kenji Nojima) knows the truth.

Umaru is, in reality, a huge couch potato. Her only true interests are video games, manga, and junk food. She has no motivation to even attempt the simplest of physical tasks. She much prefers to come up with hair brained schemes to get what she wants. If those should fail, she has no qualms about throwing a tantrum like a five-year-old.

Poor Taihei tries his best to take care of his sister. Juggling a busy work schedule, he remains willing to go out of his way to be there for her when she needs him the most. A trait sometimes exploited, but never forgotten by Umaru.

The siblings don't often see eye to eye. However, when push comes to shove, they couldn’t imagine being without each other.

Anime Hajime Review: Kannazuki no Miko

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Kannazuki no Miko. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Living in the town of Mahoroba are Himeko Kurusugawa (voiced by Noriko Shitaya) and Chikane Himemiya (voiced by Ayako Kawasumi). Though they've chosen to keep it a secret, these two are close friends.

Himeko is shy, quiet, and timid. The result of a harsh childhood. She met Chikane years ago, drawn in by her beauty and confidence. Himeko considers Chikane to be an irreplaceable friend. One that she cares for very much.

Chikane is the daughter of a well-respected family. Although beloved by everyone, her first and only real friend is Himeko. In fact, her feelings towards Himeko go beyond friendship. But Chikane is afraid to confess her feelings in fear that they may not be mutual.

Life is like a paradise for the girls. But on the day of their shared sixteenth birthday, an ominous black cloud appears in the sky.

An apparition proclaims itself to be a terrifying god who plans to destroy humanity. With the help of its eight servants, the Orochi, this ancient evil seeks to plunge the world into darkness. To do that, however, the Orochi must eliminate the two people that can stop them. The Solar and Lunar Priestesses.

Anime Hajime Review: Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Seikai. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Japan has risen to become the country with the highest public morality. This clean society is a result of the Law for Public Order and Morals in Healthy Child-Raising. The act bans foul language as well as any and all forms of erotic media. Even dirty words and suggestive hand movements are forbidden.

Tanukichi Okuma (voiced by Yusuke Kobayashi) attends the country's top morality school. He hopes to rid his association with his father, a radical opponent of the public morality laws. And due to his father's teachings, Tanukichi has a vast knowledge of the perverse.

For his expertise, the student council recruits Tanukichi. His job is to protect the school from the notorious erotic terrorist Blue Snow. To help him is the Student Council Vice-President, Ayame Kajou (voiced by Shizuka Ishigami).

Ayame has made a name for herself as the no-nonsense enforcer of the council's mission. But in reality, this is nothing more than an elaborate front. For the VP's true identity is non-other than the one and only Blue Snow.

Anime Hajime Review: Oretachi ni Tsubasa wa Nai

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Oretachi ni Tsubasa wa Nai. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Love is a funny thing. You can spend your whole life looking for that special someone. To only then have that person appear when you least expect it.

Romantic as that may be, it’s but another day in the city of Yanagihara. Here we meet three people different in every way. Except they have more in common than you can imagine.

The first person is Takashi Haneda (voiced by Hiro Shimono). He's calm, shy, and doesn’t like being the center of attention. His kindness has grabbed the admiration of his classmate, Asuka Watari (voiced by Mayumi Yoshida). The two first paired up out of a mutual benefit. Yet over the years, their relationship has only grown.

The second person is Shusuke Chitose (voiced by Hiroaki Miura). Loud and outgoing, is a freelance writer.  His latest assignment is reviewing the newest book from Hiyoko Tamaizumi (voiced by Ryoko Ono).

The third person is Hayato Narita (voiced by Junichi Suwabe). A night owl, he spends most of his time fulfilling odd jobs around the city. His latest gig comes from Naru Ohtori (voiced by Yuko Goto) who is looking for her lost bicycle. Naru isn't intimidated by Hayato’s rough demeanor and enjoys spending time with him.

Anime Hajime Review: Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji

Series Synopsis

Erika Shinohara (voiced by Kanae Ito) is a chronic liar. And her fibs often backfire immediately. One day, she spread tales of her exploits with her nonexistent boyfriend. She manages to keep up the façade for a while, but her stories become far too extravagant.

Unwilling to expose herself, Erika takes a photo of a random guy as proof of her boyfriend’s existence. Unfortunately, the boy is, Kyoya Sata (voiced by Takahiro Sakurai). Someone who happens to attend her school. Plus, he's a huge idol amongst female students.

Determined to keep up the charade, Erika confronts Kyoya. She asks if he would be willing to pose as her boyfriend. To her shock, he agrees. Yet it came at a great cost.

As it turns out, Kyoya’s kind, gentle personality was hiding a much darker, more sadistic nature. He begins blackmailing Erika and treats her as his pet.

Though cold, Kyoya does show a reliable side. This causes Erika to develop true feelings for him. Soon the two start to act more like a couple. Even if it means Erika must put up with Kyoya's perpetual teasing.

Anime Hajime Review: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Higurashi no Naku Koro ni. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

It’s June 1983 in the village of Hinamizawa. Once again it is time for the annual Watanagashi Festival. Though the town is buzzing with anticipation, there’s a noticeable sense of dread in the air. For the past four years, on the day of the festival, a person has died while another has disappeared.

These events are unknown to the town’s newest resident, Keiichi Maebara (voiced by Soichiro Hoshi). Despite his recent arrival, he has managed to befriend several of his classmates.

Rena Ryugu (voiced by Mai Nakahara) loves all things cute and is kind to everyone. Yet underneath she hides a ferocious, violent short fuse.

Mion and Shion Sonozaki (both voiced by Satsuki Yukino) are twins from the towns highest family. The sisters remain close. Although, family politics often force them against each other.

Sotoko Houjou (voiced by Mika Kanai) and Rika Furude (voiced by Yukari Tamura) are a few years younger than Keiichi. They support each other since their families have been affected by the Watanagahsi Curse.

Anime Hajime Review: Serial Experiments Lain

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Serial Experiments Lain. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Lain Iwakura (voiced by Kaori Shimizu) lives an uneventful and unremarkable life. She goes to school. She talks with friends. She goes home to eat dinner with her family. Day in, day out.

Then one day, an unsettling chain of emails make their way through Lain's school. These messages seem to be a bad joke since the sender had committed suicide. Lain has no real opinion on the matter. That is until she receives one of these emails. What it reads goes against the accepted story.

The message tells Lain the sender did not die. They only gave up their physical body. Their consciousness is still very much alive. As it exists in the Wired. The virtual world.

This entices Lain and she beings to delve into the Wired's inner workings. The deeper she goes and the more she sees, the less she understands.

Leaving Lain with one question. Is the virtual reality in fact true reality?

Anime Hajime Review: Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Daughters from the noblest of families attend the prestigious Areishia Spirt Academy. There they train to be elementalist; spirit summoners. Throughout history, women were the only ones capable of this ability. 

Thus, causing quite the stir when Kamito Kazehaya (voiced by Makoto Furukawa) demonstrates the unimaginable. A male who could contract spirits. The last man who could so was the Demon King one thousand years ago.

Kamito has come to Areishia Academy to take part in the sacred tournament known as Blade Dance. The victor not only brings honor to their homeland, but they’re granted a single wish.

During his stay, Kamito meets Claire Rouge (voiced by Ibuki Kido). He manages to anger her by making a contract with a spirit Claire had been hunting. Kamito soon garners the attention of several other powerful elementalist. And the spirit he contracted manifests itself as a young girl named Est (voiced by Ai Kakuma).

Kamito, Claire, and Est try to gather the allies needed to participate in the upcoming Blade Dance.