Anime Hajime Review: Masamune-kun’s Revenge

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Masamune-kun’s Revenge. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Masamune Makabe (voiced by Natsuki Hanae) has two simple outlooks on life.

First, he believes one must do whatever they can to be attractive. As he sees it, if you have good looks, you might as well have the world.

Second, come hell or high water, Masamune will get his revenge on Aki Adagaki (voiced by Ayaka Ohashi).

Both of these goals stem from Masamune’s childhood; a time in his life when he was a lot chubbier. He grew tired of everyone picking on him due to his weight. But worst of all, he has never gotten over how Aki, his once closest friend, tossed him away like trash.

Now in high school, Masamune and Aki have been reunited, despite the latter not realizing it. Masamune has transformed himself into every girl’s dream guy, and Aki has built a frightening reputation of severe cruelty towards men.

With the stage set, Masamune plans to have Aki fall in love with him so that he can smash her heart when it's at its most vulnerable. However, there is just one thing that can throw Masamune’s revenge into peril: he may still have lingering feelings for his current target.

Anime Hajime Review: Hibiki! Euphonium 2

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Hibiki Euphonium 2. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Kitauji High School’s Concert Band Club has done what its members thought was impossible only a few short months ago. They have won the qualifying concert tournament and have taken a huge step towards performing on the national stage. Never has this club’s lofty dream been so close.

Having once been disheartened by concert performances and her chosen instrument, the euphonium, Kumiko Oumae (voiced by Tomoyo Kurosawa), doubles down and gives her music everything she has. For the first time in a long time, she knows she is with people who have the drive to shoot for the top.

Unfortunately, as the finish line grows ever closer, so do the challenges.

The smallest hiccup could jeopardize all the work Kumiko and her clubmates have done. If even one person, for whatever reason, doesn’t put in one hundred percent of their effort, everything will have been for not. 

Kumiko already knows what it’s like to lose her passion. She is determined to ensure that never happens again.

Anime Hajime Review: Yuru Camp

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

Series Synopsis

Rin Shima (voiced by Nao Toyama) has always loved the quiet solitude of nature. Whenever she has a free weekend, she will pack up her bike and head out to a nearby campground for the night. Whenever she is sitting next to the warmth of her campfire, Rin can’t be any more relaxed.

Although nothing will ever change that calming sensation, Rin’s solo camping time is about to get a bit more energetic. Through a chance encounter, Rin meets Nadeshiko Kagamihara (voiced by Yumiri Hanamori).

Nadeshiko knows very little about the outdoors, but after one look at its captivating beauty, she becomes determined to learn as much as she can. Soon, Nadeshiko turns into a full-blown camping fanatic. Luckily for Nadeshiko, her new friend Rin has enough experience to share, even if Rin finds Nadeshiko’s personality a touch tiring.

Despite their different temperaments, Nadeshiko and Rin grow incredibly close over their love of camping. With the entire outside world as their playground, there is no limit to where these two will go next.

Anime Hajime Review: Tsukipro The Animation

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Tsukipro The Animation. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

The Tsukino Entertainment Production Agency, a.k.a. Tsukipro, has a reputation for signing the biggest and best names in the Japanese music industry. To showcase its top talent, the company holds its annual concert, Tsukipro Live.

Being selected to headline this event is a goal all Japanese musicians strive for. This year, the honor goes to the four rising pop groups SolidS, SOARA, QUELL, and Growth.

If performing at Tsukipro Live isn’t enough of a dream come true, the concert will be held at the legendary Nippon Budokan. To mark this momentous occasion, the four groups have each been instructed to create four new songs.

This is the story of how SolidS, SOARA, QUELL, and Growth prepare for what is to be the greatest show of their careers.

Anime Hajime Review: Hakumei and Mikochi

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Hakumei and Mikochi. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Nestled quietly in a vast forest is the town of Makinata. A peaceful place, Makinata is home to many creatures of all shapes and sizes.

Living in a small tree house on the outskirts of the city are two of Makinata’s most well-known residents, roommates Hakumei and Mikochi (voiced by Risae Matsuda and Shino Shimoji).

Fate brought these two together not that long ago, but they quickly became the best of friends. For the people of Makinata, it is rare not to see these women together.

From merely living their day-to-day lives, Hakumei and Mikochi have managed to befriend many of the people who call this city home. And these two show no signs of slowing down in that regard.

If given enough time, it’s not hard to imagine everyone in Makinata will come to know their names.

Anime Hajime Review: Ousama Game The Animation

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Ousama Game The Animation. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

1. All students in the class shall participate.

2. After receiving an order from the King, the order must be completed within 24 hours.

3. People who do not complete their order shall be punished.

4. Withdrawing from the game midway is not allowed.

These four rules have been ingrained into the consciousness of Nobuaki Kanazawa (voiced by Mamoru Miyano). Ever since he looked upon these words in an innocuous group text, his life has been nothing but a nightmare.

Nobuaki was the sole survivor of a sadistic game that claimed the lives of his dear classmates. Winning this game was a fate Nobuaki has been unable to bear. And then, the unthinkable happens.

The game has followed Nobuaki to his new school and has started up again. This time Nobuaki swears to save his new friends and put an end to the deadly curse known as the Ousama Game.

Anime Hajime Review: Kamisama Hajimemashita Kako-hen

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Kamisama Hajimemashita Kako-hen. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Nanami Momozono (voiced by Suzuko Mimori) has grown accustomed to her role as the god of the Mikage shrine. She hopes to continue living happily with the most important person in her life, the fox demon Tomoe (voiced by Shinnosuke Tachibana).

Tomoe also only has eyes for Nanami. Unfortunately, his feelings for her have broken the spell that has kept a deadly curse at bay. When he looks at Nanami, Tomoe recalls a time when someone from his past made him feel the same way. In his desire to be with that person, Tomoe made a deal where the price was his life. And now the time has come for him to pay up.

Unwilling to let Tomoe die, Nanami decides to travel back 500 years to when Tomoe was in love with the other woman. She hopes to stop Tomoe from making the deal that is currently killing him, as well as, allow him the happiness she knows he has earned.

All roads have led to this moment. The final chapter to this story has begun.

Anime Hajime Review: Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

First-year middle schooler Nishikada (voiced by Yuki Kaji) has a bit of a problem. He has run into someone who he cannot beat no matter how hard he tries. In fact, the more he fights back, the more likely he will end up looking like a fool.

Nishikada is at the mercy of the master teaser, his classmate, Takagi (voiced by Rie Takahashi).

Unbeknownst to Nishikada, Takagi has a crush on him. Driven by her strong romantic feelings, Takagi loves making Nishikada’s adorable face turn red. For Nishikada, this makes the days just a little bit longer and all kinds of frustrating.

Except, despite not being a fan of the constant teasing, Nishikada has formed a close relationship with Takagi, and the two are almost inseparable. Nishikada would claim this is because he is looking for the opportunity to get his revenge. But if you look at it another way, perhaps Nishikada has feelings of his own that even he isn’t aware of. 

Whatever the case may be, Nishikada is always one slip of the tongue away from receiving the full brunt of Takagi’s playful roasting.