It’s that time of the year again, so enjoy our First Impressions of the fall anime season that just started~
This is easily my favorite show of the season. Cute characters, a relaxing and fun story, and girls with animal ears?! Yes, please! Also, did I mention the yuri undertones in this one?
So yeah, I’m really enjoying Konohana Kitan so far. It’s yet again a show that you wanna watch after a long day of work and just relax while following the girls doing their work at the inn. Also, is it just me or do shows about young girls working at an inn or hotel always come with yuri subtext? I’m not complaining in the slightest thought~
Riko and You’s expressions up there explain pretty well how I reacted to some scenes of the first episodes of the new season of Love Live!. The yuri was yet again pretty strong, especially between my two favorites, Mari and Kanan~
You could say nothing really changed. The school is still not saved yet, and the group has to come up with a new plan on how to get it popular enough to get the needed amount of new students applying there. And guess what they’re planning to do in order to achieve this goal? Oh yeah, singing and dancing! I guess, I’m still not the biggest fan of the idol aspect of the show, even though that’s what it is all about. In my eyes, I’d enjoy simply watching the girls in their everyday life without the singing, but I guess that’s just me.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I for one am pretty tired of slice of life shows that take place at school. A lot of the time, it seems like if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all, so getting one like this that take place in a completely different setting is pretty awesome. Similar to how Gakkou Gurashi! flipped the idea on its head by introducing zombies (even though it also took place at school), Girls’ Last Tour involves a different type of apocalypse.
At this point, it’s unclear what exactly caused the catastrophe (although it seems likely it was just war), but despite being all alone in a barren wasteland, our two protagonists take an optimistic approach to life and try to make the best out of a bad situation. The first episode only consisted of Yuuri and Chito scavenging the devastation for whatever they can use, yet I found this show strangely appealing. It isn’t much to look at, and I’m definitely not a fan of the art style and character designs, but I think it’s pretty charming nevertheless.
If nothing else, Girls’ Last Tour is a cute girls doing cute things anime that’s a bit different, and that in and of itself is enough to keep me interested.
The first season of Himouto! Umaru-chan was a pretty fun time, and from the looks of it, the second season looks like it’ll be more of the same. The whole gang is back, but in the first episode, I was a little surprised that gremlin Umaru wasn’t featured as much as I would’ve thought. Then again, I don’t know how many times you can have her playing games, eating junk food, staying up late, and doing her normal routine without it getting overwhelmingly repetitive (for me the first season never really fell into that trap).
Episode one brought forth a lot of what made season one entertaining, the rivalry between Umaru and Sylphin, Kirie’s awkwardness around Umaru, Ebina’s awkwardness around Taihei, and Umaru’s lazy loafing. Mostly thanks to Kirie, we reviewed the first season, so maybe history will repeat itself and come the end of the year, we’ll be talking more about Kirie x Umaru. Let’s hope so~
When I first learned of this anime, the name made me think it could be about some crazy demonic dog. An anime version of Cujo, if you will. Sadly, that’s not the case, but it still sounded interesting, so I decided to watch it anyway.
With one episode down, I think this has the makings of a pretty solid action anime. The old man, Ichiro Inuyashiki, has it pretty rough, with his poor physical health (including stomach cancer) and unappreciative family, but after being struck and killed by a UFO (!), he’s given a new lease on life… as an android. It’s just like Kashimashi, but instead of being restored as a girl, Ichiro is restored as a war machine! 😛
Yeah, the story is crazy, but the episode did a pretty good job of making you feel for the guy. Even after the incident, he knows he’s not exactly human anymore, yet he still hasn’t lost his humanity. Inuyashiki is actually from the creator of Gantz, so you know it’s gonna be violent, though, let’s just hope that there’ll be more to it than gratuitous violence.
It feels like only yesterday that I was waiting months for final episode of Kekkai Sensen to air, but after a couple of years, the series is finally back for more monster-killing action. The first season was a strange—yet very enjoyable—show that was a nice blend of action, style, and irreverent humor, and so far, season two looks like it’ll be every bit as enjoyable.
Between all of the members of Libra as well as Hellsalem’s Lot itself, this series is just brimming with so much personality that a lot of other anime of its kind are lacking. This series doesn’t do anything particularly new, but it’s just endlessly entertaining to me, much like a Hollywood blockbuster movie. A lot of style and just enough substance.
I tried picking up a couple of other action shows this season that seemed like they could be vaguely like this one (Garo: Vanishing Line and Dies Irae), but neither could measure up to the bizarre exploits of Kekkai Sensen & Beyond, so I ended up dropping both. Welcome back, KS~
Prior to this, I had heard great things about the original Kino’s Journey, but I had never actually watched it. Luckily, this version is a reboot, so it doesn’t hurt to not have watched the original. Rejoice! Now, it’s only been one episode thus far, but I’m really enjoying this.
It seems that this is going to be a series that’s heavy on storytelling, with Kino encountering many people and stories along her journey of self-discovery. In a way, this reminds me a little bit of Mushishi. It’s that same type of introspective series that focuses on personal stories, but I have a feeling I’m going to end up liking this more, mostly thanks to the more “modern” setting. In addition to telling an interesting story in episode one, this anime looks really good as well, and Kino appears to be a very likable character.
The only thing I wonder about is why no one in this anime has yet to bat an eye at the prospect of a talking motorcycle. Other than that, this looks like it’s going to be an enjoyable and thought-provoking show, and I look forward to seeing what other adventures Kino and Hermes come across along their travels~
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The original Kino’s Journey is excellent btw. This one is quite good, but a little paling in comparison. It’s hard to not make comparisons since the colosseum episode has a version in the original that is far superior, too (the first episode wasn’t covered in the original version).
Are you not watching Yuki Yuna season 2? I remember Rock said he wasn’t going to watch it, but I couldn’t remember your take on YuYuYu Lena.
Konohana Kitan is SO UTTERLY GAY I LOVE IT. As of episode 3, I don’t think you can even say “subtext.” Very very gay. Very very cute. It airs at the perfect time for me too, since I have a busy Wednesday and Crunchyroll posts it when I’m done. A nice comfy sit-down show.
Inuyashiki is really really good too but… difficult for me to watch. Too violent and real, I had to drop it.
Girls’ Last Tour has blown me away too. I doubt we’ll say anything even yuri-ific but it’s very well written. Very subtle, though makes for some interesting thought provocation (amusing that it airs the same time as Kino, which does the same thing in a different way). It’s hard to say much about it, but it inspires an ironic discomfort – it’s slow pace, muted colours and soft music make it a wonderful comfy show, but the deathliness of the world makes it breathtaking.
You should definitely check out Houseki no Kuni – a show with gorgeous 3DCG, beautifully written characters and a ton of intrigue. And some very blatant romantic undertones, though since every character is technically genderless it’s hard to call it yuri (though they all look and sound like girls). Going by 3 episodes alone, I’m willing to say it’s one of my shows of the entire year. Reminds me of Simoun, and that’s my favourite anime, so… It’s very weird, but very addictive, and the wonderful character interactions with tons of charm make it worth watching.
Two Car is worth watching as a yuri fan IMO, but IGNORE THE MAIN COUPLE. THEY ARE NOT YURI, DESPITE ONE OF THEM LITERALLY BEING CALLED YURI. The side-couples are delicious for my yuri side. It’s not a great show overall so far, though.
As for shows not really worth talking about here….
I’m also watching Yuuni Taisen but it’s not really worth it unless “Fate but slightly sillier yet slightly more bravely written” intrigues you. Just Because! is a nice slice-of-life show with some serious production problems, but very human characters. Blend-S is a cute-girls show that has guys in it, thus very obvious and uncomfortable heterosexuality to it which makes me go UGH, but it is quite funny. Code: Realise appeals to my fondness of otome tropes, but also steampunk world, but again, no yuri (it’s a reverse harem lol).
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I’ve heard some people say it’s not quite on par with the original, but I’m still enjoying it thus far~
She had planned to, but just didn’t have the time, I guess. 😛
I’m starting to get behind on some, like KK, but I’ll catch up! That second episode of Inuyashiki was pretty gruesome. Despite that, it’s pretty captivating for me. Same for Girls’ Last Tour. That’s probably my surprise of the season~
*makes a mental note regarding Land of the Lustrous*
*makes another mental note regarding Two Car* 😀
When trying to decide which anime to pick up, I tend to gravitate more towards the bigger, more well-known anime studios. I guess having been disappointed with some shows from smaller studios has made me reluctant to give other ones a chance. Though, sometimes you get pleasant surprises, but I can’t help but expect the occasional stinker… 😀
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For Girls’ Last Tour I have read the manga up to chapter 25, and it’s a good read. Mostly them moving through the world musing on various things. No yuri or real subtext so far, but I see the author posted a yuri doujin of the girls so am hoping something might happen.
https://dynasty-scans.com/series/girls_last_tour_anthology_comic
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Oh yeah I saw this one…. and decided not to read it because I didn’t like the art…. yeah, never judge a book by its cover I know 😛
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I’m also wondering why no one ever in Kino’s Journey comments that her motorcycle talks and why no one else seems to have one. It seems fairly random.
Also, agree with you about Girls’ Last Tour. The novelty of this sort of story taking place in a post apocalyptic world has so far been enough to keep me distracted from the fact that I don’t really like cute girl slice of life because I’ve really enjoyed it so far.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the shows.
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At least Hermes thought it was weird that there was a talking dog, so one “person” agrees with us. 😛
Not watching the original helps from drawing comparisons between the two, but viewed as a stand-alone anime, it’s still pretty good~
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I absolutely adore Konohana Kitan. This is a show which the yuri community definitely needs. You can see the amount of love being put into the show, by simply listening to the fantastic voice acting and gorgeous visuals. It ain’t perfect but is still really good. You just wanna hug the characters and pet them on their heads. Now we need a Legally Married Yuri Couple adaptation and all will be well. Sunshine S2 brings back the cast I love and hopefully as the show progresses the characters will continue to grow. I love them all already but they can always improve. Mari and Kanan are really cute together and if any couple deserves to become canon it is the two of them, especially after their sweet moments during S1. Girls last tour is exactly my cup of tea. Two girls surviving in a desolate enviroment? Hell yeah! PS: Check out the official manga on Dynasty. It is totally worth it. I want to watch Kekkai Sensen, because it is written by the same author as Trigun. Is it any good? Other shows I will be watching is S3 of Food Wars, (It has a negative reputation, but contains a really complex and interesting cast of characters), and Children of the Whales, (It feels like watching a Ghibli film and I really recommend it, although there isn’t any yuri) Thanks for the post 🙂
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Oh! A Legally Married Yuri Couple anime would be amazing!
Children of the Whales is another one I’m watching too! So far it’s riveting! 😀
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I actually totally see Itou Hachi’s characters in this one… cute, yuri(ish) characters with animal ears working at an inn… yeah, it sure sounds like it. Though, actually seeing some of Itou Hachi’s works getting an anime adaption, I think I might die 😛
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Girls Last Tour grabbed my attention initially, not because of the story but because the “third character” is the Sd.Kfz. Kleines Kettenkraftrad (their tractor/motorcycle hybrid… I know, I know, I’m a huge nerd). The story and character interactions are a plesant bonus for me. I’m not too fond of the art style myself but it all seems to work out.
The other anime this season that I will continue to watch is Mahoutsukai no Yome (The Ancient Magus’ Bride). It has a Hayao Miyazaki-esq feel to it with the fantastic artwork and fantastical creatures and setting. I found that there are also 3 ONAs that came out since last year that set up the story a bit and they are worth a watch too. I highly recommend tis one and will probably check out the manga soon. 😀
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^^ Nerd alert! 😛
Just kidding. I wanted to watch that one, but I never got around to seeing those OVAs, so that option was kind of off the table for me. Maybe eventually!
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for me love live sunshine season 2 and washio sumi are my favorites this season, i cant help but love seeing my favorite aqours couples together especially my OT3 chikayouriko and marikanan ❤ and i love the music so much as always. as for washio sumi, which is the first 6 eps of yuki yuna season 2 and is the prequel to yuki yuna and is about togo as she was sumi, its amazing and cute and the ships are there too but its not as strong as togo and yuna but next month will be the second half of the second season so we will be able to see yuna and togo together again which makes me real happy
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I’m actually still thinking about whether I wanna watch this seasons Yuki Yuuna…. I liked the first season, but right now I’m so not into magical girls…. what to do?
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i say watch it, the first half is really good and gives us all the back story on togo and her cute moments with her friends but since this is also apart of the yuna universe it will have its fare share of tragedy too but if you dont want to know the back story i say wait it out for next month and watch the continuation to yuna’s story
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I guess you’re right…. let’s see if I actually will try it 😀
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Can someone tell me without any spoilers of Girl’s Last Tour gets darker? When it comes to slice of life like that, I prefer it if it takes the route of YuYuYu. “Oh you think this is just light-hearted slice of life? THINK AGAIN”.
Just a simple yes or no.
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No, I wouldn’t say it gets dark at all.
The situation itself seems gloomy, but things never really take a turn towards being overly serious or dramatic. There’s a vague philosophical undercurrent that comes up in the later episodes, but the show remains pretty easygoing throughout~
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