Anime Hajime Review: Black Rock Shooter

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

Series Synopsis

“Even if your heart feels like it was stabbed, it won’t start bleeding, festering, or oozing. Someone will help bear that pain for you.”

- Black Rock Shooter Episode 1

The mysterious, Black Rock Shooter faces up against the most powerful of adversaries. Her battles take place in a world far different from our own. Here, combatants have neither feelings nor emotions. Fighting is all that matters.

In the human world, Mato Kuroi's (voiced by Kana Hanazawa) excited to start her first day of middle school. The new surroundings leave her in a state of awe. Causing her not to focus on where she's going. She trips and is helped by her new classmate, Yomi Takanashi (voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro).

Mato tries to befriend the shy Yomi. Though a little reserved, Yomi is happy to receive Mato’s friendship. However, it comes at a huge risk.

Yomi has lived a hard life. Never having the freedom to make friends, she is unsure of herself. Mato is willing to do all she can to help, though. Since that's the kind of girl she is.

Anime Hajime Review: Zombie Loan

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

Series Synopsis

Michiru Kita (voiced by Houko Kuwashima) is indifferent living and dying. She goes through the motions of a daily existence. Easily pushed around, Michiru has trouble speaking for herself. The only time she’s able to push back is when someone takes her glasses. For they are the only things that can block the power of her Shinigami Eyes.

When a ring appears around a person’s neck, they only a short time left to live. And when that ring turns pitch black, they will die.

At school, Michiru trips over something in the hallway. Sending her glasses flying. Although it was only for a moment, it looked as if she had tripped over a dismembered hand. With no time to question it, she’s confronted by two of her classmates, Chika Akatsuki (voiced by Kenichi Suzumura) and Shito Tachibana (voiced Takahiro Sakurai).

To Michiru’s horror, around both boy’s necks are pitch black rings. Hoping to warn them, she follows the pair to an old graveyard where she witnesses a strange sight.

Chika and Shito remove and swap their right hands. Dumbfounded, Michiru watches as the two kill a stray dog that wandered into the graveyard. Hoping to get away as fast as possible, Michiru stumbles and gets found. While trying to explain herself, the dead dog rises to its feet.

Anime Hajime Review: Okami-san to Shichinin no Nakamatachi

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Okami-san to Shichinin no Nakamatachi. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Otogi High School’s Otogi Bank is a student run club that specializes in favors. Clients ask for requests in exchange for future assistance should the club need it.

Ryoko Okami (voiced by Shizuka Ito) is a member of Otogi Bank and a skilled fighter able to take on packs of street thugs. Her life gets much more complicated when she meets Ryoshi Morino (voiced by Miyu Irino).

Ryoshi has a crippling fear of people staring at him. He is also the newest member of Otogi Bank following a failed love confession towards Ryoko. Although rejected, he's determined to become a worthy partner for her. More often than not a coward, Ryoshi is fearless when hidden by shadows or whenever Ryoko is in danger.

Ryoko and Ryoshi are an unorthodox, but effective team. They've made it their mission to help their clients to the best of their abilities. To aid them in their efforts are the other members of Otogi Bank.

Ringo Akai (voiced by Kanae Ito) always has a smile on her face and a scheme in mind to bring Ryoko and Ryoshi closer. Ringo harbors a tremendous amount of guilt from her past actions. Much like Ryoko, she chooses to hide what she's feeling.

Anime Hajime: Ore no Imoto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai Season 2

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Ore no Imoto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai Seasons 1 and 2. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Kyosuke Kosaka (voiced by Yuichi Nakamura), once again, is his sister's, Kirino (voiced by Ayana Taketatsu) life counselor.

And like it was before, the siblings have trouble seeing eye to eye. With their relationship now at a pivotal junction, even the slightest thing can set the two off.

Along with this, they must juggle the responsibilities of life and school. Kyosuke being the underwhelming underachiever and Kirino as the secret otaku.

Kyosuke and Kirino’s estranged relationship is put through its final trials. There are several occasions where everything teeters on the brink of utter destruction.

Anime Hajime Review: Soro no Woto

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Soro no Woto. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

A long-awaited ceasefire is called between the warring states of Helvetia and Rome. Though both sides remain on edge, this is the first peace anyone has experienced in decades.

When little, Kanata Sorami (voiced by Hisako Kanemoto) heard a beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace by an unknown trumpeter. This inspired her to enlist into the Helvetian military as a bugler. There, she's assigned to the 1121st Platoon in the village of Seize, a remote border town on the edge of No Man’s Land.

Kanata is a dedicated, but inexperienced soldier. Her cheerful demeanor allows her to adapt to the lax atmosphere of the 1121st.

Master Sergeant Rio Kazumiya (voiced by Yu Kobayashi) is Kanata’s instructor. Compared to the rest of the squad, Rio is strict and demanding. Despite her rough attitude, she's admired by Kanata and the other members of the 1121st.

Second Lieutenant Filicia Heideman (voiced by Aya Endo) is the platoon’s commanding officer. With no interest in military conventions, she asks everyone not to refer to each other by rank. A caring, mother like figure, Filicia loves her girls.

Anime Hajime Review: Seitokai Yakuindomo*

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Seitokai Yakunidomo Season Two. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Welcome back to Osai Academy, the once all-girls school turned co-ed.

The new academic year has started. This means new freshmen, new challenges, and new opportunities. Serving to ensure the betterment of student life is the ever dedicated Osai Academy Student Council.

Another year older, another year wiser, we're greeted by the same familiar faces. President Shino Amakusa (voiced by Yoko Hikasa). Vice President Takatoshi Tsuda (voiced by Shintaro Asanuma). Secretary Aria Shichijo (voiced by Satomi Sato). Treasurer Suzu Hagimura (voiced by Sayuri Yahagi). These four perform their duties in an environment filled with shenanigans and innuendo.

The coming year promises to be as outlandish as the last. But Osai Academy’s student council's prepared to meet any challenge and all…probably.

Anime Hajime Review: Canaan

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

Series Synopsis

On assignment, two Japanese reporters arrive in Shanghai during a local festival. Minoru Minorikawa (voiced by Kenji Hamada) is hoping to find a story to elevate his career. He's accompanied by rookie camerawoman Maria Osawa (voiced by Yoshino Nanjo).

Minoru runs after a possible lead, leaving Maria to explore the celebrations. Unbeknownst to her, Maria is being followed by an unknown assassin. Maria's saved by a mysterious mercenary named Canaan (voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro).

Canaan and Maria are not strangers. They met a few years prior during one of Maria’s trips to the Middle East. There the two formed a strong relationship and have remained close ever since.

Maria becomes a target of the infamous terrorist organization known as Snake. Canaan vows to protect Maria at all cost as they try to defeat the group. And its leader, Alphard Al Sheya (voiced by Maaya Sakamoto).

Anime Hajime Review: Venus Versus Virus

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Venus Versus Virus. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Sumire Takahana (voiced by Minori Chihara) is like most middle school students. She enjoys spending time with her friends. Daydreams in class. And fawns over her super-secret not so secret crush. She even has a part job at a small novelty shop called Venus Vanguard.

This quaint little boutique sells Gothic style dresses. As well as a variety of trinkets and charms. To the outside observer, it’s nothing more than your average hole in the wall. But if you can understand their brochure, the real purpose comes to light.

Venus Vanguard hunts down and eliminates frightening entities known as Viruses. And they're led by Lucia Nahashi (voiced by Ayahi Takagaki).

Sumire can see Viruses, but when compared to Lucia, she seems useless. Yet she accompanies Lucia on every mission. That's because whenever Sumire can go into Berserk Mode. Becoming a living anti-Virus. While in this state, she is unable to control herself. And is incapable of distinguishing friend from foe.

Working together, Sumire and Lucia have dedicated themselves to destroying all Viruses.

Anime Hajime Review: Binbougami ga!

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

Series Synopsis

Every living being on Earth is allocated their fair share of good fortune. This Fortune Energy is the singular force that keeps the world in balance. And it's up to the gods to maintain harmony.

However, an anomaly exists that could threaten this stability.

Sixteen-year-old Ichiko Sakura (voiced by Kana Hanazawa) possesses high levels of Fortune Energy. Higher than anyone has ever had. Because of this, she's been blessed with good looks, intelligence, outstanding physical prowess. Her life is as comfortable as it can be.

This has become a big problem.

Ichiko’s energy is so great in fact, she can absorb other people’s luck with her presence alone. This has caused other's Fortune levels to plummet. To rectify this, the God of Misfortune Momiji (voiced by Yumi Uchiyama) has been sent in to remove Ichiko’s Fortune Energy.

Convincing someone to give up their own good thing isn't the easiest thing to do. Thus resulting conflict is much bigger than anyone could've predicted. It's unclear if the world can handle a personality clash of this magnitude.