Anime Hajime Review: Dagashi Kashi 2

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Dagashi Kashi 2. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Welcome back to the family-owned Shikada Candy Shop were Kokonotsu Shikada (voiced by Atsushi Abe) is still under a lot of pressure to take over as the next manager. And trying her best to see that day become a reality is the walking sweets encyclopedia Hotaru Shidare (voiced by Ayana Taketatsu).

As it was last time, Kokonotsu shrugs off Hotaru’s many attempts at getting him to choose the family business. While the things have become quite energetic, Kokonotsu has grown to like the change in pace. Ever since Hotaru came into his life, the quiet days at the small candy shop have turned a lot more exciting.

But like everything else, nothing can last forever.

Unlike before, Kokonotsu must really think about what it is he wants to do in the future. Despite his adamant refusal to take over the store, he does love candy, and he has a natural talent for creating a welcoming environment for customers.

Try as he might to push himself away, Kokonotsu keeps returning to the tiny shop.

Anime Hajime Review: Junji Ito Collection

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Junji Ito Collection. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

What makes a Master of Horror?

That’s a hard question to answer, but Junji Ito makes a pretty convincing claim to that title.

In this series, take a trip through the mind of one of manga’s most celebrated horror artist.

These are twenty-four tales of the strange and the terrifying.

Meet a boy who casts curses on those who cross him. A fashion model who sends chills down the spines of everyone who sees its picture. A mysterious fortune teller who only appears at the deserted crossroads on a foggy night. And a beautiful woman who drives those around her insane.

Those and more make up the following collection.

Although they are vast and many, each of these stories has one thing in common.

And his name is Junji Ito.

Anime Hajime Review: Violet Evergarden

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

Series Synopsis

After years of war, peace has once again spread across the land. For most soldiers, this means they can finally return to the homes and loved ones they left behind. But for one soldier who has known nothing except fighting, there is no place for her to go back to.

Violet Evergarden (voiced by Yui Ishikawa) wakes up alone in a hospital bed. Unsure of what happened, Violet asks to see the one person who has ever been there for her, her commanding officer. However, the only one around to meet her is former army commander turned entrepreneur, Claudia Hodgins (voiced by Takehito Koyasu).

Claudia tells Violet that per her commander's wishes she will now be under his care. He brings Violet to his new postal company and gives her, what he hopes, is a fresh start at life.

It doesn’t take Violet long to come across the company's most important department, the Auto Memory Dolls. These professional scribes’ responsibilities include transcribing and documenting. But their most meaningful role is one of letter writers. It is the job of a Doll to express a person’s heart and emotions into written words.

Anime Hajime Review: Takunomi.

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

Series Synopsis

Michiru Amatsuki (voiced by Ayaka Imamura) is ready to start her new life in Tokyo. She has always dreamed of moving to the big city and is in awe of how intimidating it turns out to be. Fortunately for her, she managed to find a place to come home to every night. A place where she learns the joy of opening a refreshing cold one at the end of a long day.

As the newest resident of the share house, Stella House, Michiru receives a warm and friendly welcome. Her three new share mates appear to have Tokyo down to a science. Or at the very least, they know a good cocktail that will help combat the stress.

Nao Kiriyama, her younger sister Makoto, and Kae Midorikawa (voiced by Chika Anzai, Maaya Uchida, and Mikako Komatsu) have a vast array of knowledge concerning the metropolis and all things alcohol-related.

It doesn’t matter where you are from. Drinks always taste the best when you have people to share them with.

Anime Hajime Review: Sanrio Danshi

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

Series Synopsis

When he was a little boy, Kouta Hasegawa (voiced by Takuya Eguchi) loved the Sanrio character Pompompurin. As he grew up though, he became more and more embarrassed to say he was a fan of something so cute. Now in high school, Kouta can't help feeling like something is missing in his life.

Then one day, Kouta meets Yuu Mizuno and Shunsuke Yoshino (voiced by Souma Saitou and Jun Osuka). Not only do these two lifelong friends enjoy Sanrio characters, but they are also very open about their fandom. Upon seeing this, Kouta realizes he never truly gave up his beloved Pompompurin.

Kouta, for the first time in a long time, feels complete. With Yuu and Shunsuke to support him, there is nothing he feels he cannot do. And that assuredness only strengthens upon running into Ryou Nishimiya and Seiichiro Minamoto (voiced by Hiroyuki Kagura and Yuuma Uchida). As it turns out, both Ryou and Seiichiro are lovers of Sanrio as well.

Not too long ago, Kouta felt lost and alone in the world. Then wouldn’t you believe it, he found four amazing friends to share what it is he likes. Loudly and proudly, these five Sanrio boys search for what it is that will allow them to sparkle.

Anime Hajime Review: Sora Yorimo Tooi Basho

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Sora Yorimo Tooi Basho. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Mari “Kimari” Tamaki (voiced by Inori Minase) craves adventure. She wants to see the world and do many of the amazing things in it. Too bad she has a habit of chickening out right before taking the first step. Ashamed of her timidness, Kimari finds herself drawn to a person who seems to know exactly what it is they want.

For years, Shirase Kobuchizawa (voiced by Kana Hanazawa) has dreamed of reaching the one location on Earth humans have not touched, Antarctica. Not only does she see this land with great awe and wonder, but it is also the place that took something dear from her. With so many people telling her the futility of what she is trying to do, Shirase uses others’ lack of faith to drive her forward. And it is that kind of attitude that convinces Kimari to accompany Shirase on this journey.

Against the odds, Kimari and Shirase do everything in their power to reach the frozen continent. Along the way, their spirit inspires others to follow them. Hinata Miyake and Yuzuki Shiraishi (voiced by Yuka Iguchi and Saori Hayami) join the duo.

Anime Hajime Review: Pop Team Epic

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Pop Team Epic. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

This is not a series you can summarize.

Pop Team Epic showcases the misadventures of Popuko and Pipimi.

Popuko is a short girl with an even shorter temper. The smallest annoyance is enough to set her into a violent rage.

Pipimi doesn’t have as much anger as her friend. Don’t think that makes her any less dangerous. She is what you would consider silent but deadly. Although silent is nowhere near the right word to describe her.

Together these two do stuff. What kind of stuff? Don’t ask me. I’m still trying to make sense of it all.

If there is one thing I can say about this show, good or bad, there aren’t many others like it.

Anime Hajime Review: Citrus

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

Series Synopsis

Yuzu (voiced by Ayana Taketatsu) has recently become Yuzu Aihara. After her mother’s remarriage, Yuzu prepares to start her life with her new family. That also means she will be attending a new school. The problem is, the school is a little more conservative than Yuzu is used to.

Almost immediately, Yuzu gets on the wrong side of the strict student council president, Mei (voiced by Minami Tsuda). Yuzu can’t stand the bossiness of the president and is glad she doesn't have to deal with her often. Or that was what she thought. It turns out Mei’s full name is Mei Aihara, and she is Yuzu’s new sister.

Though unhappy about the situation, Yuzu tries to get along with Mei. Except Mei has a confusing way of interacting with Yuzu. After a brief argument, Mei ends up kissing Yuzu and nothing is ever the same afterward.

Feelings of contempt transform into affection within Yuzu. Getting the chance to spend more time with her once rival, Yuzu realizes there is more to Mei behind her coldness. Before she has a chance to react, Yuzu realizes she has fallen in love with her new step-sister.

Anime Hajime Review: The Ancient Magus' Bride

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for The Ancient Magus’ Bride. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Chise Hatori (voiced by Atsumi Tanezaki) has given up. Her life has been nothing but suffering and abandonment. As she sees it, no one can accept her and understand what she can do. Since she was a child, Chise has been able to see the world of mysticism and magic. But this has only ever meant pain.

With no sense of self-value, Chise sells herself into slavery. At her auction, the bidding is fierce until one patron offers up an unbelievable amount for her life. Although Chise did not care where she would end up, she did not expect to go where she did.

Chise’s buyer turns out to be a mysterious mage named Elias Ainsworth (voiced by Ryota Takeuchi). Elias tells Chise that part of his intention is to make her his first apprentice. Unbeknownst to Chise, she is a rarity in the magical world. She is a being that possesses unlimited power. Unfortunately, the strain that power puts on a person is too much for the body to take.

Elias wishes to save Chise from that fate. In the meantime, Elias offers up his home and hopes Chise will feel comfortable in her new surroundings. For you see, Elias' second intention is to one day make Chise his bride.