Anime Hajime Review: Love Live Sunshine Season Two

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Love Live Sunshine Season Two. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Failing to reach the finals of the prestigious Love Live competition is not an easy thing to get over. But this is not the time to quit. No this is when one needs to try even harder. A sentiment felt by the up and coming school idol group, Aquors.

The group's leader, Chika Takami (voiced by Anju Inami) has never felt more determined. And with her beloved Uranohoshi Academy still on the line, the only direction is forward. Such spirit fuels the drive of Aquors’ remaining eight members.

These are the first-years, Yoshiko Tsushima, Hanamaru Kunikida, and Ruby Kurosawa (voiced by Aika Kobayashi, Kanako Takatsuki, and Ai Furihata). As well as Chika’s fellow second-years, Riko Sakurauchi and You Watanabe (voiced by Rikako Aida and Shuka Saitou). And rounding off the team are the third-years, Kanan Matsuura, Dia Kurosawa, and Mari Ohara (voiced by Nanaka Suwa, Arisa Komiya, and Aina Suzuki).

Though they are nine, they move as one. Together, they know they can both save their school and win Love Live.

But in their final push, they must discover that one thing that makes them shine.

Anime Hajime Review: Land of the Lustrous

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Land of the Lustrous. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

When there is all the time in the world, it can be hard to find your place in it.

At an isolated academy, there exist a remarkable group of people. They never age, they never die, and they try to live their lives one day at a time. Yet what is most remarkable is that these people came from the Earth itself. Their bodies are not made of flesh, but rather gemstones.

Among this group is Phosphophyllite, better known as Phos (voiced by Tomoyo Kurosawa). When compared to her sisters, Phos is one of the weaker gem people. With a hardness level of 3.5, she is prone to shattering. That and her childlike personality make her a bit of a headache.

Despite this, Phos wants to be of use to both her sisters and her beloved father figure, Master Kongo (voiced by Jouji Nakata). Because though their life may be quaint, it is also threatened.

The gem people find themselves facing off against the Lunarians. These mysterious invaders hunt gem people for the beauty that form their bodies. It is Phos’ dream to stand side by side with her sisters and face this enemy.

In her desire to do so, Phos starts a journey she can never return from. The purpose she finds may not be the one she was hoping for. And the truth promises no comfort.

Anime Hajime Review: Juuni Taisen

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

Series Synopsis

Somewhere in the world, war prospers. There are those who suffer at the hands of cruelty. There are those who must fight the battles fueled by egos and pride. And then there are those who not only know how to kill, no one does it better than them.

Every twelve years, the deadliest warriors on the globe gather to answer one question. Who is strongest? That honor goes to whoever wins the infamous Zodiac Tournament.

The prize for the victor goes beyond unparalleled prestige. The champion will be granted one wish. A wish that will come true regardless of what the person asks for.

It's now time to begin the battle royal once again. The competitors stand ready with their own unique brand of combat.

The Rat, Tsugiyoshi Sumion (voiced by Shun Horie), is killing all. The Ox, Eiji Kashii (voiced by Yuuichirou Umehara), is killing systematically. The Tiger, Kanae Aira (voiced by Hiromi Igarashi), is killing in a drunken rage. The nameless Rabbit (voiced by Nobuhiko Okamoto), is killing psychotically.

Anime Hajime Review: Just Because

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

Series Synopsis

For high schoolers, the last few months before graduation is a surreal time. The days of adolescents are dwindling. Adulthood is on the horizon. College exams are coming. People are saying their goodbyes. There is a lot going on. And the last thing anyone needs is their emotions running wild.

Too bad you never get to pick when you fall in love.

Eita Izumi (voiced by Aoi Ichikawa) has moved back to his hometown. With the end of his high school career a stone’s throw away, he has no interest in socializing. Yet as luck would have it, people from his past found their way back into his life.

When he was in middle school, Eita never could talk to his long-time crush, Mio Natsume (voiced by Karin Isobe). After all these years, he thought he had put these feelings behind him. But one look at Mio brought them flooding back.

At what seems like the absolute last minute, everything has turned complicated. Thus, the option becomes as such. Do you risk rejection? Or are you satisfied with living with a lingering regret?

Anime Hajime Review: Net-juu no Susume

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Net-juu no Susume. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Moriko Morioka (voiced by Mamiko Noto) has reached her limit. She can no longer find the energy to live a corporate life. Despite an acclaimed career, she decides to give it all up. From here on out, she will be what she calls an elite NEET.

On the first day of unemployment, Moriko downloads the MMORPG, Fruits de Mar. After some deliberation, she creates her ideal character; a male knight named Hayashi (voiced by Ryouta Suzuki). Once settled, she begins her new journey and gets destroyed in an instant.

After several failed quests, another player character takes notice of Hayashi’s struggle. This was the female healer known as Lilly (voiced by Reina Ueda). These two soon form a close friendship. Moriko is beside herself and wonders who the person behind the sweet, innocent Lilly is.

Back in the real world, Moriko has a chance encounter with a good-looking businessman named Yuta Sakurai (voiced by Takahiro Sakurai). Though the two start off on an awkward foot, they keep meeting up in the most unexpected places.

Anime Hajime Review: Children of the Whales

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Children of the Whales. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Adrift in an endless sea of sand is the giant vessel, the Mud Whale. For the past hundred years, this wandering island has lost contact with the world. Nevertheless, a flourishing society has taken hold. A society that consists of two types of people.

There are the Marked who can move objects using a mysterious power known as thymia. But this comes at the cost of a shorter life. Then there are the Unmarked. Though these people are unable to use thymia, they enjoy a much longer lifespan.

Chakuro (voiced by Natsuki Hanae) is one of the marked and has an obsessive desire to write. He hopes to leave a record of his people in the small amount of time he has. Though trapped in isolation, his life on the Mud Whale is a happy one.

Then the unbelievable happens. The people of the Mud Whale spot another island. While exploring this new land, Chakuro finds something he has never seen before, a fellow human being not from his home. This girl (voiced by Manaka Iwami) appears to be the sole survivor of an unknown battle. And the only thing she has with her is the name Lykos.

Anime Hajime Review: Boku no Kanojo ga Majime Sugiru Shojo Bicchi na Ken

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Boku no Kanojo ga Majime Sugiru Shojo Bicchi na Ken. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

For Haruka Shinozaki (voiced by Mitsuhiro Ichiki) there has only been one girl on his mind. This has been the smart and beautiful Akiho Kosaka (voiced by Aoi Yuki).

In Haruka’s mind, being in a relationship with Akiho would be a dream come true. But how could such a girl ever have the time of day for a nobody like him? Be that as it may, Haruka goes for broke.

Mustering every ounce of his courage, Haruka confesses his feelings to Akiho. Bracing for that inevitable “no”, she surprises him by saying “yes”. And in Haruka’s image of Akiho, that should have been the only surprise.

For you see, Akiho views the world in a much more “exciting” way. Things like sex, pleasure, and eroticism are not just okay topics for her, she defaults to them. And always during the least appropriate of circumstances.

Though taken aback by Akiho’s true nature, Haruka’s feeling towards her don’t change all that much. And while unexpected, he never thought she would ever say yes in the first place.

Anime Hajime Review: Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Civilization is gone. Humanity is on its last leg. Supplies are running low. Fewer and fewer novelties of the past remain. And in a small, rugged vehicle, two girls journey through it all.

Chito (voiced by Inori Minase) and Yuuri (voiced by Yurika Kubo) have only known this world. Traveling and scavenging are second nature to them. Having been alone for so long, they understand little of what was. Then again, there is no need to care about any of that anymore.

On occasion, this duo will find something to break their daily grind. Sometimes it’s a relic from an era forgotten. Sometimes it’s a fellow human being. When this happens, they have the chance to rest for a while. But no location has enough material to last forever. Sooner or later, the two must keep moving.

Wake up. Survive. Discover. Repeat.

Chito and Yuuri do what they can with what little is left. Along the way, they think about the things most don’t even consider. And its best somebody does this now. Eventually, there will be no one around to think anything anymore.

Anime Hajime Review: Himouto! Umaru-chan R

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

Series Synopsis

Never judge a book by its cover. Case in point Umaru Doma (voiced by Aimi Tanaka).

While out in public, Umaru is a shining beacon of sophistication and perfection. There seems to be nothing she can’t do. Blessed with every advantage imaginable, the truth behind her is a little shocking.

When at home, Umaru reverts to her natural state. She is a lazy, couldn’t-be-bothered-to-do anything video game, junk food, and manga addict. There are few who know this side of her. And there is only one forced to put up with her on a daily basis, her older brother Taihei (voiced by Kenji Nojima).

Despite her lack of caring, Umaru isn’t a lost cause. She has an ever-growing group of friends who care about her. And who she cares for in return. Taihei may have difficulties with getting his sister out of bed, but that is a burden only granted to him.

And though Umaru has an odd way of showing it, she is thankful for all that her brother does. If he were any other way, it would be impossible for Umaru to enjoy the things she likes.