You know, it feels like time is just flying by recently. It seems like only yesterday that the current season of anime started, but we are now already halfway through. This season has been a pretty spectacular one so far, of that I have no doubts.
Well, maybe not so much for those who are not into slice of life and cute girls doing cute things. Fortunately, those are the things I like, hence me pretty much loving this season.
As is usually the case, I’ll be going through every show I am watching and sharing what I think about each of them so far.A Place Further Than the Universe
A Place Further Than the Universe has been utterly brilliant so far. The main cast of characters were established in the first few episodes, and now they are on their way to Antarctica. Every episode manages to be really good, and we get both funny and emotional moments delivered throughout.
From a critical point of view, probably the best anime airing this season. However, if we’re talking favourites, that honour goes to a different anime for me.
BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS
The three-person teams have been formed, and naturally Boruto is on the next Team 7. Currently the Leaf Village is dealing with a group of noble thieves called the Byakuya Gang. It’s all right, but I’m far more interested in the upcoming chunin exams that were mentioned in passing during the most recent episode at the time of writing.
I would also like to see more from Team 15 – an all-female team. Whether they get any major roles to play remains to be seen, though.
citrus
I wasn’t sold on citrus after watching the first episode, but I am glad I decided to stick with it. The relationship between Yuzu and Mei certainly had its ups and downs, but they have now developed to the point where they recently shared their first consensual kiss. I don’t know where things will go from this point forward, but I certainly expect more drama to unfold.
I can also see why a lot of people are fans of Harumi. Both she and Yuzu are currently fighting for top spot as my favourite character from citrus.
Dragon Ball Super
The Tournament of Power is entering its final stages, and Android 17 has proven to be a very valuable addition to the Universe 7 team. It’s quite surprising how long he has managed to stick around for, but I’m certainly not complaining about that.
The inevitable final fight between Goku and Jiren draws ever closer. Recently some stuff about Jiren’s character was revealed, and that was pretty typical stuff. Jiren wants to get stronger after having witnessed his family and friends killed by an evil-doer. Not all that interesting.
The current ending theme for Dragon Ball Super focuses on Universes 6, 7 and 11. I’m hoping that’s indicative of what will happen in the future, because I need more Caulifla and Kale.
Fate/EXTRA Last Encore
You know, I bet the majority of people watching this are doing so merely for red Saber. I know I am.
The first episode felt like a middle finger to those of us who wanted to see the female Hakuno Kishinami be the main character, what with her being killed off.
On the plus side, Saber is a fun character. I look forward to seeing more battles, though the one against the first Floor Master’s Servant wasn’t exactly thrilling.
Hakumei and Mikochi
This show is so charming. There are people who believe that Hakumei and Mikochi are a married couple, and I agree with them. The two tiny girls have such a great chemistry, and the world they live in is full of whimsy as well.
There’s a fair number of slice of life/cute girls doing cute things anime this season, and they are all really good.
Hugtto! PreCure
Hugtto! PreCure has only just started, and is currently two episodes in. Cure Yell and Cure Ange have been introduced, and already they make a great pair. Everything about this season of PreCure feels like a return to a more traditional PreCure, with monsters of the week (Oshimaidas), physical fight scenes and a big bad revealed from the very beginning.
Hugtto! PreCure is off to a very good start, hopefully it can maintain that momentum.
Katana Maidens ~ Toji No Miko
I’ve really been enjoying Katana Maidens ~ Toji No Miko, and I suspect part of that is because it has elements that are very similar to Bleach. Fight scenes tend to be over rather quickly, but they are still fun to watch. Some big revelations have been dropped fairly early, but that hasn’t really affected my enjoyment.
Laid-Back Camp
This show certainly lives up to its name, as it is very laid-back. Watching the girls go camping is perfect for relaxing. Hakumei and Mikochi has the charm, Laid-Back Camp is… well, laid-back.
There isn’t too much more for me to say here – I’ve really been enjoying Laid-Back Camp.
Maerchen Maedchen
This show is my favourite of this current season. It has transformations, a protagonist who is very into her books, a magical school, girls being into girls… Basically everything I could ever want.
I’m looking forward to the next episode, as we’ll be seeing a reunion after Shizuka drove Hazuki away to try and protect her – we still have yet to see Hazuki’s transformation, but I bet it’s just around the corner.
Mitsuboshi Colors
This is a fun show, with Colors being a fun group. I know some people feel sympathetic for Saito due to the Colors messing with him, but he’ll get no sympathy from me. Colors are just being kids, and Saito tends to spoil their fun.
The leader of Colors, Yui, tends to get bullied by the others, but the most recent episode reveals that she has a rather savage side to her as well.
Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles
Sure enough, Koizumi does love her ramen noodles. Can’t argue with the title of this one. Whilst a lot of this show does involve eating ramen, the characters are fairly decent as well. I just wish Yuu would go about pursuing Koizumi slightly differently. Especially with Yuu being able to cook all kinds of ramen that Koizumi loved. Yuu should put those skills to use instead of stalking Koizumi.
One Piece
The Whole Cake Island arc continues, and Luffy and Sanji have finally reunited. Next up, they have a wedding to crash, which will lead to Luffy fighting one of the most fearsome opponents he has faced yet. I look forward to that fight, but we still have to wait a little while to see that.
Pop Team Epic
Pop Team Epic is not easily explained. Definitely not one for those who don’t like the surreal, or references to pretty much everything. I also feel that the whole ‘encore’ bit is wearing thin – Pop Team Epic is actually a 12 minute or so anime masquerading as a 24 minute anime. The first half is repeated, just with different voice actors.
I also prefer the quick gags to the longer ones. The longer ones feel like they overstay their welcome – I’d rather have that WarioWare pace.
Slow Start
A very good cute girls doing cute things anime, which has been pretty heavy on the yuri content as well. I initially thought that Hana’s worries about being a year older than her classmates would be forgotten fairly quickly, but it turns out that is something that is referenced fairly frequently.
Takunomi
This show is simply about women drinking, and it does that pretty well. They try all a variety of different drinks, and I’ve enjoyed watching that. The most recent episode also get rather steamy as well courtesy of Kae, though she was a little tipsy.
That covers everything I am watching. By the end of the season, I’m going to know a whole lot more about camping, alcohol and ramen than necessary. Not that I mind gaining more knowledge through a medium I love watching – you never know when knowing that kind of stuff will prove useful.
As of the halfway point of this season, my top five shows are Maerchen Maedchen, A Place Further Than the Universe, Hakumei and Mikochi, Laid-Back Camp and Katana Maidens ~ Toji No Miko… I think.
I don’t know, citrus and Slow Start could also work their way in there. There’s just so many shows that I am absolutely loving this season that it makes it tough to pick out a specific few.
I’ve found the winter season of anime for 2018 to be a very good start for the year. Hopefully the following seasons will be just as strong.
Rory Muses 