Anime Hajime Review: Amanchu

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers from Amanchu. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Futaba “Teko” Ooki (voiced by Ai Kayano) is about to start her high school life in a town far and away from anything she has ever known. Teko has always been shy, never having the courage to try anything new, and she hopes to leave her old self behind. A task much easier said than done.

However, she isn't given much of a choice. On the first day of school, Teko meets the highly energetic Hikari “Pikari” Kohinata (voiced by Eri Suzuki), who does everything with a smile. The thing which gives her the most joy, scuba diving.

Teko cannot help but be drawn to Pikari’s constant motion; even if it means going against every instinct she has ever held dear. 

The two find their way to the school's diving club where Pikari signs up without any hesitation. Seeing such unabashed confidence, Teko also decides to give the club a chance.

From that day on, the two become inseparable and are soon the best of friends. Through Pikari’s never ending positivity, Teko begins to realize the world isn’t as intimidating as she once thought.

Anime Hajime Review: New Game

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

Series Synopsis

Aoba Suzukaze (voiced by Yuki Takada) is about to realize her dream. As a child, she fell in love with the game Fairies Story. Particularly the beautiful artwork and character designs. Since then, she has wanted to be a character designer. Thus she got a job as the game studio, Eagle Jump's, newest artist.

Racked with nerves and excitement, Aoba has no idea what the future has in store for her. Or at the very least, she didn’t expect to find a woman in her underwear sleeping under a desk. Aoba is struck with awe when she realizes the woman is none other than Ko Yagami (voiced by Yoko Hikasa), the character designer for Fairies Story. The very person who inspired her dream.

There's a lot to learn and the work is difficult. But Aoba is dead set on producing the absolute best game possible.

Aoba will come to realize the backbreaking amount of time and dedication it takes to make something worthwhile.

Anime Hajime Review: Black Lagoon

***The following may contain spoilers for Black Lagoon. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Rokuro Okajima (voiced by Daisuke Namikawa) isn’t all that special. An average Japanese salaryman he does his job. Although has become a basic errand boy for his company. As a result, he often has to travel the world.

On one trip to the South China Sea, Rokuro runs into the infamous pirates of Black Lagoon. They plan to take the cargo Rokuro is caring and decide to kidnap him as well.

While a prisoner, Rokuro mingles with the crew of the Lagoon.

Benny (voiced by Hiroaki Hirata) is the group's computer technician. Dutch (voiced by Tsutomu Isobe) is the Lagoon’s captain and is a well-known figure in the area. Last, there’s Revy (voiced by Megumi Toyoguchi). She is the team's fighter and one of the deadliest people on the planet.

Rather than negotiating, Rokuro's company declares him dead. Left with no place to go he decides to stay aboard the Black Lagoon. Taking the name Rock, he has entered the world of pirates, crooks, and killers.

Anime Hajime Review: Devil Lady

Series Synopsis

Jun Fudo (voiced by Junko Iwao) is a successful model who has been losing her confidence. Normally a quiet and shy person, she starts to question if she chose the right career. Making matters more unnerving, she can’t shake the feeling she is being watched.

One day, Jun gets a knock at her door. The person on the other side introduces herself as Lan Asuka (voiced by Kaoru Shimamura) and commands Jun to follower her.

Taken to a dark and frightening warehouse, Jun is told to wait inside. There she is confronted by a chained man keeling over in pain. To her horror, the man transforms into a ferocious beast and attacks. With no one coming to the rescues, Jun accepts that this is indeed her death.

However, a spark is lit within. Jun’s eyes glow golden and she undergoes a terrifying metamorphosis. She reawakens as a creature known as a Devilman and easily kills her attacker.

Asuka informs Jun that mankind is at a crossroads. People are beginning to turn into dangerous beasts and demons. Although she wishes for nothing more than to be left out of it, Jun is the only one with the power to combat the coming threat.

Anime Hajime Review: Barakamon

Series Synopsis

Seishu Handa (voiced by Daisuke Ono) is a professional calligrapher who has risen to become an up and coming star. He has poured everything into his writing his whole life and given up a lot in the process. However, his latest piece is criticized for being too textbook. Following a very public freak out, which involved the punching of an elderly critic in the face, Seishu is sent away to clear his mind.

The young artist arrives in a small rural community on Goto Island, far and away from the hustle of Tokyo. He hopes to finally find a style that is truly his own and to do that he requires absolute peace and quiet. What he gets is anything but.

Upon his arrival, Seishu meets six-year-old Naru Kotoishi (voiced by Suzuko Hara). This energetic little girl instantly finds the newcomer fascinating and a lot of fun. Much to Seishu annoyance, Naru comes over everyday to play with her new friend. Along with this, the whole town quickly develops an interested in the newest resident.

Although the quiet country life he was expecting turned out to be much more lively, Seishu and his writing are clearly affect. Perhaps he can find the inspiration he has been desperately searching for.

Anime Hajime Review: DRAMAtical Murder

Series Synopsis

The small island of Midorijima has been turned into a paradise resort. For those who can afford it, the island is heaven on Earth. Everyone else is forced to live in the residential district. Here street gangs, called Ribstiez, are vying for control of the city.

Hoping to live a simple life amongst the tension is Aoba Seragaki (voiced by Atsushi Kisaichi). Although he has close ties to several Ribstiez, Aoba has no interest in joining. He has even less desire to participate in the new virtual reality fighting game, Rhyme, which has taken the town by storm.

Unfortunately, Aoba is ambushed and forced to battle. To his surprise however, he taps into a mysterious power allowing him to easily best his opponent. Through this, Aoba discovers he has the ability to control people’s minds with only his voice.

Once people learn of his talent, Aoba becomes a target and a plot is uncovered which could result in the enslavement of every human mind on the planet.

Anime Hajime Review: Tamako Market

Series Synopsis

Welcome to the Usagiyama Shopping District, home to the small, family run mochi shop, Tamaya, and it’s eldest daughter Tamako Kitashirakawa (voiced by Aya Suzaki).

Tamako loves her little community and is beloved by all the vendors who she happily considers her family. Extremely friendly and easy going, there isn’t anything that can get Tamako down. Everything is as perfect as it can be.

Then suddenly, daily life gets a little more exciting when a strange talking bird named Dera Mochimazzi (voiced by Takumi Yamazaki) comes to town. He claims to be on a journey to find the future bride for his country’s prince. While initially deadest on seeing his mission through, the relaxed and open atmosphere of the shopping district, as well as Tamako’s family’s delicious mochi, turns Dera quite complacent.

No longer caring about his objective, Dera takes up residence in Tamako’s home. Though unsure why such a strange bird has chosen to attach himself to her, Tamako quickly accepts Dera. Soon the sight of a cheerful girl with a fat bird sitting on her head turns into a calling card of the district.

The days continue on as they always have. Tamako makes everything a little brighter and Dera makes everything a little more interesting.

Anime Hajime Review: Assassination Classroom Second Season/Final Season

***WARNING: Assassination Classroom Second Season/Final Season is the second installment in the Assassination Classroom series. The following may contain spoilers from season one.***

Series Synopsis

The Moon has been destroyed, the Earth is still in danger, and the clock is ticking. Humanity must kill the un-killable and it's fate has been left in the hands of the one and only, assassination classroom.

The students of Kunugiagoka Junior High School Class 3-E have undergone rigorous training and are now a force to be reckoned with. Their impressive growth is thanks to the hard work and dedication of their teacher, and target, Koro-sensei (voiced by Jun Fukuyama).

The yellow tentacle creature, who moves at the speed of Mach 20, pours his love and passion into ensuring his students overcome the challenges set before them. However, the second term has started, the stakes are higher, and the foes have gotten stronger.   

The day of the ultimate assassination is on the horizon and the students of Class 3-E need to be ready. Whatever may come and whatever may happen, one thing is for sure. Koro-sensei will be there to watch over and protect his beloved students.

Anime Hajime Review: Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai

Series Synopsis

Yuta Togashi (voiced by Jun Fukuyama) can't wait to start high school and leave his middle school self behind as time of his life he desperately wants to forget. For you see, Yuta once believed himself to be the legendary Dark Flame Master whose powers were unrivaled and mere mortals couldn’t even hope to comprehend the true extent of his abilities. Even thinking about it causes Yuta great embarrassment.

Everything was going well. Yuta met new people, was having typical conversations with his classmates, and no one was aware of his past...mostly. To his horror there is one who appears to know, Rikka Takanashi (voiced by Maaya Uchida).

Unlike Yuta who gave up spell casting and fantasy worlds, Rikka embraces them. She is the wielder of the Wicked Eye, which is why she can always be seen wearing an eye-patch, and Yuta is her destined companion.

Rikka refuses to leave Yuta alone and slowly the two begin to attract a circle of equally interesting characters.