It’s that time of the year again, so enjoy our First Impressions of the 2018 fall anime season that just started~
And the second big yuri title hits the screen and the yuri community is going crazy. For good reason though! What we’ve seen so far is some solid animation, some top notch voice acting and an adaptation following its source material so strictly that I just can’t see how this could possibly go wrong. If you wanna read my full first impression, I listed all of my thoughts right in this post.
Ah, it’s been a while since I watched any of the Index/Railgun franchise, and oh man, how much I missed this. It seems from the first episode alone that pretty much every character from the previous seasons will probably appear in this one, as we were already introduced to quite a few of them in the first few minutes (and the opening) alone.
Since it’s been so long, I actually have no idea what happened in the last season, and I was a bit disappointed to see that we didn’t get a quick recap to see where we left off, and there wasn’t much of an introduction at all. It seems we either know about all of it already or just go with the flow and hope it all comes to mind again at some point. I’ll try the latter, of course, since I’m just too lazy of a person. 😛
So needless to say, the first episode was all over the place, especially for those of us who simply don’t remember too much of the previous season(s). On the positive side, however, it at least looks like we immediately get into the new storyline, and I hope it stays that way, unlike how the Railgun side of the franchise used to be more filler than actual storyline. We’ll have to see.
With the resounding success of 2017’s Princess Principal, spies are hot right now, yet I’m still a little surprised that we already have another spy anime to check out. Compared to PriPri, Release the Spyce doesn’t seem as dramatic or well-written, but I thought that the mixture of cute girls doing cute things and action-packed spy shenanigans helped the first episode be fairly entertaining.
This anime seemed like one that could possibly provide us with some yuri, and things looks fairly promising in that regard. That’s all thanks to Momo, an aspiring police officer who’s talents catch the eye of the girls from Tsukikage, an organization that’s been battling evil since the Sengoku period. Momo’s talented tongue (ahem) allows her to gauge a person’s well-being, and in the course of the first episode, she licks one girl on the neck, licks another on the hand, and kisses yet another on the cheek. In addition to that, Momo has also long admired Yuki, a classmate of hers who’s secretly a part of Tsukikage. Yeah, things are looking really positive for yuri fans~
Thanks to the character designs from Namori, I can’t help but see Akarin and Chinatsu when I look at Momo and Fuu, and I kind of like it. The action and animation shouldn’t wow anyone, and those looking for something more serious might be disappointed with Release the Spyce, but if you just want to see cute girls doing cute things while they fight an evil organization, this show has got you covered.
This season has a surprising amount of yuri anime, and Tonari no Kyuuketsuki-san is one of the most fun ones. I don’t know about you, but a yuri anime about a cute vampire who gets befriended by a doll-loving girl sounds pretty good to me, and if the first episode is any indication, this looks like it’s going to be both hella cute and hella gay.
Vampires are generally thought of as bloodthirsty killers, but not Sophie Twilight. She’s just a normal girl who’s minding her own business until she finds Akari lost in the woods. When they arrive back at Sophie’s, it’s apparent that it’s Akari, not Sophie, who’s the unusual one here. It was only one episode, but Akari and Sophie already look like they’ll end up being an adorable pairing, even though it’s mostly Akari (at least for now) that’s responsible for the yuri. More characters will be soon be introduced, but the first episode is almost exclusively about Akari and Sophie, and it’s a great introduction to these two characters.
Aside from the whole vampire thing, this anime doesn’t feel very original, but as long as it’s entertaining, I don’t even care that much. I highly doubt that this slice of life will end up being on the level of some of the heavy hitters in the genre, but it’s cute and amusing, and with all the cute girls doing cute things anime, it’s nice to get another one that yuri fans can rally behind.
How unexpected. I was so sure this show would turn out bad, given that the content needs to be handled exactly the right way to not come off the wrong kind of weird, the budget for shows like this often end up pretty low and well, the voices need to be on point. Now watching the first episode, I was in fact weirded out, quite a lot actually. I mean, a buff ex pilot dressed as a maid going all crazy and stalking a little kid since she finds her irresistibly cute? Sounds weird and that’s exactly what it is, but it’s the good kind of weird.
During most of the two episodes I watched so far, I get some top notch entertainment, hilarious moments and actually some quite sweet scenes despite the fact that Tsubame is probably a (non-sexual) pedophile. The voices here are brilliantly picked too, not to speak of the animation quality that is surprisingly pleasant as well.
I get that the show is still weird for obvious reasons, but so far, I can’t help but love it!
Just in time for Halloween, we have a treat this season. Whether it’s good, old-fashioned zombie-killing action like Highschool of the Dead or more unusual fare, like the strange marriage between zombies and slice of life that is Gakkou Gurashi!, zombie anime is guaranteed good times. Zombie slice of life is cool, but do you know what’s even more entertaining and unexpected than that? Two words, zombie idols. You read that right. 😛
Through the first episode, this anime is every bit as strange as it sounds, but I enjoyed the hell out of it. It seems like this anime doesn’t even try to take itself seriously, and the idea of a troupe of undead girls working together to save an entire prefecture may be the stupidest and most awesome thing I’ve ever heard. Aside from the odd circumstances, what made the first episode even more entertaining was Mamoru Miyano, who plays the girls’ human manager, Koutarou. He’s essentially a one-man show that’s almost worth the price of admission by himself. The main character, Sakura, has no idea what to make of her new life as a zombie, and having someone as eccentric as Koutarou be her guide leads to all sorts of amusing moments that I enjoyed. The two of them already have a lot of funny interactions, and given how over-the-top Koutarou is, I expect a lot more. The other girls didn’t play much of a role in this first episode—since they didn’t “awaken” until after their first performance—so let’s hope that they’re as entertaining as Sakura.
Zombies are people too, and seeing things from their perspective is a fun change of pace that I never knew I always wanted to see. To me, this seems more like a comedy than a horror anime (even though comedy isn’t listed among the genres), and thanks to the Love Live!-meets-Shaun of the Dead vibe, Zombieland Saga seems like it’s destined to be a fun time. If only all idol anime were this original… 😛
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That’ a nice selection to start with! I feel I should quickly add that there’s *some* canonical yuri in Anima Yell!. There was a really heartfelt coming-out-scene from a side character, and the main cast were super supportive. (In fact, I’m headcanoning that one was sympathising but that’s another story!). It remains to be seen whether they’ll be recurring but I do hope so! Defo check that out if you have time.
But it’s not like we’re short on yuri – YagaKimi is delivering the goods (honestly as expected) and Ms Vampire is a nice yuri treat too, even if it’s kinda… just generic otherwise. I guess how great Ms Vampire will be depends on how far it takes the yuri, as that’s the main selling point it has.
Zombie Land Saga had me in (pardon the pun) stitches consistently.The 3rd episode wasn’t as strong as before, but with an onsen episode billed and no doubt more ridiculous shenanigans, I”m sure this show will be rising up my all-time favourites if it can keep this quality! Love me a good comedy.
Release the Spyce is way more campy than I expected once I saw the writer… but that’s not a bad thing at all! I really love how much self-aware fun it has. And the yuri potential is *high*.
UchiMaid seems like I should enjoy it but I’m struggling to get over the hurdle of the premise. Just a little too much for me to swallow I am glad you are enjoying it though and it’s got some great animation to write home about it.
I’ve never been sure if I should dive deep into the massive Index/Railgun franchise. Still on the fence on that one, and probably always will be until I get a good enough kick.
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Thanks. I guess I will check it out~
This is probably the best season for yuri anime in quite some time, although this year’s winter season probably wants to have a word with me for saying that… 😛
Yeah. So far, Zombieland Saga has to be my favorite show of the season. It’s such a stupid yet brilliant idea, and along with Uchi no Maid, they’re this season’s go-to shows when I want to shut off my brain and have a good time. 😛
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ZombieLand Saga is an idol anime? Now…I’m totally confused. The tags doesn’t say so. I know I should be watching it, but…after reading that review, it left me a bit confused.
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The zombie girls in it are trying to become idols, but the idol aspects of the show aren’t actually as strong as traditional idol anime. Through the first three episodes, it’s a comedy first, although the third episode finally embraced the idol theme and showed some rehearsing and a choreographed performance. Up until that point, the performances were hastily put together, and they didn’t really practice or prepare like a real idol unit would.
Now that (almost) all of the girls are buying into the idea, maybe it’ll stay as performance-oriented as episode three was, but even if that’s the case, comedy should still play a really big part in this show. 😛
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The vampire one is a generic SoL anime with some Shoujo Ai lightly sprinkled into it, which I’m fine with.
Anima Yell! is actually pretty cute,, probably because I haven’t watched a cheerleading anime ever, so it’s new and fresh to me.
Uchi no Maid…. Holy crap, how is this allowed? It’s definitely funny over cute, and it’s literal Loli. I personally don’t have a problem with it, I’m just surprised and didn’t expect it.
I have the zombie one on my plan to watch list. I think I need to be in one of those moods to watch it.
I was on the fence about Spyce, but I’ll give it a shot.
The other romance ones that aren’t shoujo ai/yuri, Bunny Girl and The World in Colors, are great thus far. Bunny Maid, iirc, is going to go past what the manga did, which excites me. The color one is really interesting to me, and the visuals are great.
SAO has been interesting. I don’t read VNs, but people hype up this one as supposedly the best one. A little slow atm, but I’m enjoying it.
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Yeah I cant say I personally like the vampire one too much. I got excited about vampires and then got so disappointed that I stopped watching after a few minutes.
Though as for SAO, I still have to try the new season and I think I’ll do so right now 😛
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This season has some pretty great shows to watch thats for sure! and a surprising amount of them are yuri too! 😀 FOr sure I have to watch Bloom into You and Release The Spyce. I have been hearing nothing but great things about the Bloom Into You anime, sounds like it is getting an adaptation it deserves! Release The Spyce had me interested the moment I heart Namori was involved and I hear its a fun series too! Tonari no Kyuuketsuki-san somehow flew under my radar but it looks like I will have to watch that one too! Yuri vampire weddings FTW!!! 😀
The one I plan to pick up but never thought I would is that surprise hit, Zombieland Saga. The whole premise is just over the top and crazy its impossible not to love it! That rap battle in episode 2 was the best thing ever! 😀 Its shows like this that show why anime is so amazing. An anime can have the most absurd premise in the world but it can manage to pull it off with great characters, production and execution!
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It sounds like you’re having a blast this season Chimeko 😀
While James reviewed half of the titles listed (the zombie one being one of them), I can’t help but be interested in it as well. Now hearing you talk about it too, guess I’ll have to give it a try 😛
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You seriously need to check out the latest episode of Anima Yell! It had one of the best Yuri moments I’ve seen all year.
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Since I’m only watching five shows, maybe I’ll pick this one up then. Thanks~
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Honestly wasn’t expecting this season to be so good.
A lot of people weren’t expecting much from Uchi no Maid ga Uzasugiru!
But then I saw it was from Doga Kobo(Yuru Yuri and New Game) and wasn’t surprised by how good it was.
And I wasn’t expecting Isekai to be as good as it was, even if the first 2 episodes were just exposition episodes.
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I think I should have done a little more digging before judging the Maid one right away – this definitely turned out to be the greatest surprise this season~
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JoJo part 5 and a lot of Yuri, this season is making me be glad to be alive! Specially Bloom into You’s adaptation, I wan’t expecting it to be that crazy good. Both the ost and visuals are great, and the animation is fluid and really pleasant to see. I have a friend who really dislikes Yuri (Probably bc of Happy Sugar Life) but I’ll obligate him to watch Bloom into You so he can repent 😛
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If that friend of yours started out his yuri journey with Happy Sugar Life you better make up for it with something that actually carries the yuri spirit, such as Bloom Into You. I’m rooting for you 😀
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Yagate kimi ni naru! I translate the manga in italian language, and so, i totally agree with your review. I’m glad they kept the style of the manga, moreover im fallino in love with Soundtrack!!
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