Anime Hajime Review: Free Eternal Summer

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

Series Synopsis

A year has passed since the last prefectural swimming tournament where Haruka Nanase (voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki), Rin Matsuoka (voiced by Mamoru Miyano), Makoto Tachibana (voiced by Tatsuhisa Suzuki), and Nagisa Hazuki (voiced by Tsubasa Yonaga) came together to reform the ultimate relay team. Although their actions resulted in a disqualification, this moment rejuvenated their love for the sport.

Split once again, the Iwatobi Swim Club, which also includes Rei Ryugazaki (voiced by Daisuke Hirakawa), prepare for their next season.

For Haruka, Makoto, and Rin, this is the trio's final year of high school. Along with swimming, the three must focus on what they want to do in the future. The pressure is at its peak when one of Rin’s oldest friends returns, Sousuke Yamazaki (voiced by Yoshimasa Hosoya).

Rin and Sousuke have set their aspirations on swimming at the international level, but Haruka and Makoto have yet to decide on a path. Things are especially hard for Haruka since everybody expects nothing less than greatness from him

For everyone though, it’s time for them to realize what it is they are swimming for.

Anime Hajime Review: Miritari

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

Series Synopsis

The Krakozhia Dukedom and the Grania Republic are at war. These feuding nations have not known peace for decades. Then a lone Japanese salaryman has managed to turn the tide in Krahozhia's. To take back the fight, Grania has targeted the unexpected hero's son, Sohei Yano (voiced by Yoshitaka Yamaya).

To protect Sohei the Krakozhia military has sent its best, 1st Lieutenant Lutgalnikov (voiced by Nao Toyama), 2nd Lieutenant Haruka (voiced by Ayane Sakura), and Colonel Aria (voiced by Misaki Suzuki). And almost immediately, Sohei becomes the prey of the Granian assassin, Sergeant Shakirov (voiced by Inori Minase).

The squad does ensure Sohei won't die. They can't promise much else though. When these military junkies clash, there is a never-ending supply of rifles, rockets, and explosives. As well as the occasional tank through a wall.

The life of a son of a military hero isn't an easy one.

Anime Hajime Review: Onegai Twins

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

Series Synopsis

Abandoned at a young age, Maiku Kamishiro (voiced by Daisuke Namikawa) has never had a family.  But in an old photo, Maiku thinks he knows a way to change that. In the picture, alongside Maiku in front of a small countryside house, is his twin sister. With no memory of who she is, but this girl may be the only person who can connect Maiku to his past.

Having located the house in the photograph, Miaku moves into the place and keeps to himself. Then his life changes with a sudden knock at his door.

Standing there is a girl named Miina Miyafuji (voiced by Mai Nakahara). She tells Maiku she has been looking for his house since it is the one in an old picture she has owned her whole life. The very image Maiku has. Unsure of how to react, it appears the long-lost twins have finally reunited. Too bad things are never that simple.

Later that same night comes another knock at the door. Another girl named Karen Onodera (voiced by Ai Shimizu) tells the same story as Miina carrying the same picture.

After years of searching, Maiku has finally found his twin sister. However, he still isn't sure who she is.

Anime Hajime Review: Gochumon wa Usagi Desu Ka

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Gochumon wa Usagi Desu Ka. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Cocoa Hoto (voiced by Ayane Sakura) is the newest employee at the family-owned café, Rabbit House. With a warm atmosphere, the small coffee shop is the perfect hideaway for a moment of peace. Cocoa is eager to start working, especially after meeting the owner’s granddaughter, Chino Kafu (voiced by Inori Minase).

Chino is quiet and reserved; the exact opposite of Cocoa. The two work hard to maintain Rabbit House’s comforting reputation. A task they take on with, the help of their disciplined co-worker, Rize Tedeza (voiced by Risa Taneda).

The staff of Rabbit House trio is often assisted by their friends Chiya Ujimatsu (voiced by Satomi Sato) and Sharo Kirima (voiced by Maaya Uchida). Together the five girls support one another at their respective establishments. As well dealing with any other problems a typical high school student may come across.

Though business rivals, this doesn’t stop the five from growing close.

Anime Hajime Review: Hidamari Sketch 365

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Hidamari Sketch 365. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Welcome back to the Hidamari Apartments. Like before, moments of randomness and liveliness fill the lives of the residents.

Yuno (voiced by Kana Asumi) is still in her first year along with her best friend and next-door neighbor, Miyako (voiced by Kaori Mizuhashi).

While doing well on their own, they keep looking towards their seniors Hiro (voiced by Yuko Goto) and Sae (voiced by Ryoko Shintani), for advice. Yet no matter what, the four rely on each other for support.

As the days and months move on, the tenants of the Hidamari Apartments continue to grow.

Anime Hajime Review: Senran Kagura

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

Series Synopsis

Asuka (voiced by Hitomi Harada) has returned to Hanzo Academy to complete her training. Though the school appears to be a prestigious institution, it is only a front. This is a place dedicated to fostering the next great batch of ninjas.

Along with Asuka, there are third years, Ikaruga (voiced by Asami Imai) and Katsuragi (voiced by Yu Kobayashi). As well as first years Yagyu (voiced by Kaori Mizuhashi) and Hibari (voiced by Yuka Iguchi).

The five train in secret. Becoming a respectable ninja is no easy task. Yet each of the girls appears up to it.

Without warning, Asuka and her friend's lives get a lot more difficult. They become targets of a rival group. And the power level between the two is not on the girl's side.

Anime Hajime Review: K - Return of Kings

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for K Return of Kings and the rest of the K series. Reader discretion is advised. ***

Series Synopsis

A year has passed since the occupation of Ashinaka Island and the death of the Red King. The feud between the clans has died down and to a large extent, things have returned to a state of peace. Yet that stability is beginning to falter.

The Green Clan, also known as Jungle, has started to make louder and bolder moves for control. Supported by a social networking infrastructure, the Green’s spread their power to its members. Only a select few have access to full power of the clan. These are the people who have received the blessings of their King, Nagare Hisui (voiced by Kazuyuki Okitsu).

Nagare seeks to lure out the elusive Silver King, Yashiro “Shiro” Isana (voiced by Daisuke Namikawa). To do this, the Greens have started targeting Shiro’s friends, Kuroh Yatogami (voiced by Daisuke Ono) and Neko (voiced by Mikako Komatsu).

To stop the coming war, Shiro turns to Scepter 4’s Blue King, Reisi Munakata (voiced by Tomokazu Sugia), and HOMRA’s new Red King, Anna Kushina (voiced by Yui Horie).

Anime Hajime Review: Prison School

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

Series Synopsis

Hachimitsu Academy was once an all-girls institution with a reputation for strict discipline. Yet in a controversial decision, the school started accepting male students. As a result, a group of social outcasts managed to make their way onto the premises. One of these boys being Kiyoshi Fujino (voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya).

From the moment of this group’s arrival, they devise a plan to peek into the girl’s bathroom. Their scheme is a miserable failure, but their troubles are only beginning. It turns out, discipline at Hachimitsu is no joke.

The boys are thrown into the school’s prison and are forced into hard physical labor. Their sentence may only be a month, except that month will be the definition of hell on Earth. And at every moment, the guys will be under the thumb of the terrifying Underground Student Council.

On the Council are three of Hachimitsu's cruelest. The violent secretary, Hana Midorikawa (voiced by Kana Hanazawa). The sadistic vice president, Meiko Shiraki (voiced by Shizuka Ito). And the worst of them all, diabolical president, Mari Kurihara (voiced by Sayaka Ohara). These are three women you do not disobey.

The boys' life is about to become a painful existence. One they must endure or suffer expulsion.

Anime Hajime Review: Tsukimonogatari

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

Series Synopsis

Having survived the encounter with the powerful snake oddity, Koyomi Araragi (voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya) has found a reprieve. The first in several months. Unfortunately, as is the nature of these things, this moment of peace was never meant to last.

To his bewilderment, Koyomi no longer casts a reflection in a mirror. This is a trait that should have vanished long ago. Panicking, he consults with his partner, Shinobu Oshino (voiced by Maaya Sakamoto).

Shinobu suspects that Koyomi is reverting back to his old vampire self. Yet she suggests seeking out a second, more professional opinion. Limited in where to go, the two must turn to an unsavory option.

Koyomi seeks out Yozuru Kagenui (voiced by Ryoko Shiraishi) and her assistant, the doll Yotsugi Ononoki (voiced by Saori Hayami). These two pairs haven’t always seen eye to eye and have clashed in the past. Though not enemies, they are by no means on the same side.

Now for Koyomi, the worst possible news happens to come at the worst possible time.