Anime Hajime Review: Oni-chan dakedo Ai sae Areba Kankei Nai you ne

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Oni-chan dakedo Ai sae Areba Kankei Nai you ne. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

The day Akiko Himenokoji (voiced by Ibuki Kido) has been waiting for has arrived. After six years, she will reunite with her beloved brother, Akito (voiced by Ryota Osaka).

During their time apart, Akiko came to a conclusion. For her, Akito is the only man she could ever love.

Together again, Akiko is ready to devote herself to her brother. Her affection runs so deep, the fact they are siblings plays no relevance. However, to her dismay, Akito only sees Akiko as his most precious little sister.

Despite the setback, Akiko believes, in time, she will win her brother’s heart. After all, it will only be the two of them. Or at least, that was what she thought.

To Akiko’s chagrin, there are several other girls vying for Akito’s attention. The manipulative Anastasia Nasuhara (voiced by Minori Chihara). Akito’s friend, Ginbei Sawatari (voiced by Asami Shimoda). The sexual deviant, Arashi Nikaido (voiced by Eri Kitamura). And the lovable Arisa Takanomiya (voiced by Sumire Morohoshi).

The battle for Akito has begun. And these combatants know how to play dirty.

Anime Hajime Review: Youjo Senki

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

Series Synopsis

The world has started losing its faith. Humanity no longer looks to the divine to solve its problems. They instead rely on logic. For one nameless Japanese salaryman, this couldn’t be better.

Through remorseless judgment, the career driven professional fails to realize something. Not everyone shares his view point. This lapse in judgment leads to the man’s death. And that would’ve been the end of it. Yet instead of turning to a higher power, the man condemns people’s lack of reason.

In the man’s final moments, an entity known as Being X forces a deal. The man will be reborn and he will come to learn how powerless he his.

Waking up in an alternate history, the man is reincarnated as a blonde haired girl of the Empire. Orphaned, the girl takes the name Tanya Degurechaff (voiced by Aoi Yuki). Though her body is small, she retains the cold-hearted rationalism of her former life.

Tanya’s brilliant mind allows her to rise within the Empire’s military despite her age. Possessing the imagine a defenseless child, to say she is one could prove deadly. She soon earns a reputation as one of the country’s best soldiers. As well as a true and terrifying monster.

Anime Hajime Review: Mahoromatic - Something More Beautiful

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Mahoromatic – Something More Beautiful. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

The world is still fighting a secret war against the alien invaders. Humanity seems poised to claim victory in this conflict. And the pathway to peace wouldn’t have been possible without the aid of Earth's greatest soldier. The android turned house maid, Mahoro (voiced by Ayako Kawasumi).

Living out what's left of her power, Mahoro couldn’t be happier. With her days of combat behind her, she can, at last, fulfill her greatest dream. Her life has a new purpose when she is together with her dear Suguru Misato (voiced by Fujiko Takimoto).

Their time together has been eventful, to say the least. But it’s only been the two of them. That changes when they meet a runaway female android (voiced by Ai Shimizu). She claims to have escaped the dangerous organization known as Management. Despite the warnings of a trap, Mahoro and Suguru know they must help this girl.

Taking the name Minawa, she begins living with Mahoro and Suguru. Though a tad aloof, Minawa grows to care for her new home and family. Soon the trio finds it hard to imagine being apart.

Anime Hajime Review: Jyu-Oh-Sei

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Jyu-Oh-Sei. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Thor and his brother Rai (both voiced by Minami Takayama) live a happy life. Residents of the space colony Juno, they grew up on fantastical tales. One of them being of the glory of humanity’s home world, Earth.

For them, things like adversity and strife do not exist. Then one day, the unthinkable happens. They come home to discover their parents murdered. Without warning, they are then taken away and their peaceful life ends.

The twins find themselves stranded on a strange planet named Chimaera. Here, taking even one breath is a struggle for survival. Despite the conditions, humans have managed to endure.

Split into factions, the society of Chimaera respects only the strong. Anything else should go ahead and die. In this environment, the line between human and animal almost doesn’t exist. Yet Thor's driven to learn the truth.

Why was he dropped on this forsaken rock? Why were his parents killed? How have people managed to live in a place where death is daily? And it seems there’s only one way to find these answers. Thor must rise to become Chimaera’s legendary Beast King.

Anime Hajime Review: Ro-Kyu-Bu SS

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Ro-Kyu-Bu SS. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

The Keishin Academy Girls Basketball Team is as strong as they’ve ever been. With the help from their coaches, Subaru Hasegawa (voiced by Yuki Kaji) and Aoi Ogiyama (voiced by Kanae Ito), there’s no sign of that stopping.

Leading the group is their ace player Tomoka Minato (voiced by Kana Hanazawa). Providing the moral is Maho Misawa (voiced by Yuka Iguchi). Offering clarity and insight is Saki Nagatsuka (voiced by Yoko Hikasa). Being the pillar of kindness and support is Airi Kashii (voiced by Rina Hidaka). And always the lovable spark is Hinata Hakamada (voiced by Yuji Ogura).

Together, these five have become quite formidable. Although, that’s not to say there’s no room for some additions. The success of the team has inspired a few admirers. As such a new batch of fifth graders hope to challenge their seniors.

Looking to form a healthy rivalry with Tomoka is the skilled Mimi Balguerie (voiced by Misaki Kuno). Wanting to spend time with her beloved sister is Kagetsu Hakamada (voiced by Asami Seto). Wishing to show their power are the twins Tsubaki and Hiiragi Takenaka (voiced by Minami Tsuda and Aya Suzaki). And seeking a bit of revenge is Masami Fujii (voiced by Risa Taneda).

Anime Hajime Review: Demi-chan wa Kataritai

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Demi-chan wa Kataritai. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

For centuries, tales of monsters have struck fear in the hearts of humans. In reality, these stories were the results of gross misunderstandings and stereotypes. Something people have at last begun to understand. Now demi-humans, better known as demis, have started to become accepted in society.

Tetsuo Takahashi (voiced by Junichi Suwabe) is a teacher with a strong fascination towards demis. He wants to learn more about them to distinguish the facts from the fiction. At the start of the new school year, he gets the opportunity he has been waiting for.

Three demis enroll at Tetsuo’s school. Hikari Takanashi (voiced by Kaede Hondo) is energetic and a trouble-making vampire. Kyoko Machi (voiced by Minami Shinoda) is an intelligent and friendly dullahan. And Yuki Kusakabe (voiced by Shiina Natsukawa) is a shy and soft-spoken snow woman.

With Hikari, Kyoko, and Yuki’s help, Tensuo begins to unravel the misconceptions behind demi-humans. As he spends more time with the girls, they become three precious aspects of his life. In turn, the trio grows to rely on their teacher and the lengths he is willing to go for them.

Anime Hajime Review: Photo Kano

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

Series Synopsis

A camera can immortalize a moment. And if everything lines up just right, a photo can show the very heart of a person.

Kazuya Maeda (voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki) has given up on a lot of things. Photography, though, has sparked a passion within him. Through a lens, he hopes to bring out the beauty in everything. Yet by doing so, he may find something even more important. To be more precise, he may find someone more important.

Haruka Niimi (voiced by Kanae Ito) has known Kazuya since they were kids. In recent years, they have grown apart. Except Haruka has never forgotten the fun times she spent with her dear friend.

Hikari Sanehara (voiced by Kaori Mizuhashi) loves photography. She will go to great lengths for the perfect shot. Unless her subject is a person. Experience has caused her to distrust someone’s smile.

Aki Muroto (voiced by Mai Nakahara) is an academic prodigy. Her role as student council president has also made her quite strict. When something needs to get done she will see it done. Even if it means giving up something she cherishes.

Anime Hajime Review: Ayakashi - Samurai Horror Tales

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Ayakashi: Samurai Horror. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales recounts three stories of Japanese horror.

Yotsuya Kaidan

Iemon and Oiwa Temiya (voiced by Hiroaki Hirata and Mami Koyama) have fallen in love. That love drove Iemon to commit horrific acts to ensure it. Unfortunately, the burdens of poverty were overpowering.

To secure a better life for himself, Iemon marries a younger, wealthier woman. To cast off his old life, he plots the murder of Oiwa. In the process, Oiwa becomes scarred and dies with vengeance in her heart.

That vengeance transcended the grave. The spirit of his former wife haunts Iemon. As well as all those responsible for her demise.

Tenshu Monogatari

Shirasagi Castle is a place many dare not go. Those who do meet their end at the hands of beings known as the Forgotten Gods.

Near the castle, Zushonosuke Himekawa (voiced by Hikaru Midorikawa) meets a beautiful woman (voiced by Houko Kuwashima). Though her mannerisms are odd, Zushonosuke falls in love with her.