#Crunchyroll Review

[datfirstepisode]

11 Eyes

You know why this is called 11 Eyes? Because there’s 6 main characters and one has an eyepatch. Do you get it? Do you? Heu heu heu. He’s not even missing an eye, it’s just a different color and he’s embarrassed by that. Apparently wearing a big gaudy eyepatch is a better option than, like, a colored lens.

I don’t remember his name so, protagonist Eyepatch Boy spends the whole episode hanging out with his totally cute and completely devoid of personality childhood friend while in the background various mysterious girls stare wistfully into the sky, or into fires, or at Eyepatch Boy. Oh and also occasionally the world shifts into Nightmare Mode where Eyepatch Boy has to fight off monsters that look like one of those failed cakes on Nailed It. 

11 Eyes is the most 2009 show I’ve ever seen. It’s got those big-eyed, baby-faced characters that were so popular in the day, and its idea of peak humor is the male best friend making gross sexist jokes towards one of the girls and his girlfriend/keeper violently kicking or punching him in the face. Haha, sexual harassment and domestic abuse are so funny! Thank god anime has moved away from these tropes in recent years. Mostly. That shit still rears its ugly head from time to time. At least Eyepatch Boy didn’t fall on top of anyone and grab their tit, though it’s a small blessing as this show shoves in panty shots at the most random times. They’re not even titillating panty shots, it’s like the camera is being held up by ants and they shot her underwear by accident.

Goddamn it anime!

4/10. It’s got plot that moves, and the animation is kinda nice at points, (though some girl’s eyes will go wonky in scenes here and there) but it’s very dated and the characters are like automatons bleep-blooping their way through the story.

[animereviewsxx]

This episode of spyxfamily literally almost killed me. 😂

I was eating during this scene---

Becky said that and I choked!

This episode was hilarious.

Yor got isekai'd

Yor and Anya are too funny, i never know what to expect with them.

Her face this whole episode. If it wasn't for the promise of a personal chef I think Anya would have just stayed in her room the entire episode.

Then there's poor Loid.

He can't catch a break.

I want him drawn like this for the rest of the show.

Despite his distress at everything Yor does he still never questions her. Gotta love him for that.

[mechazushi]

🕯Here lies the Jawlines🕯

🕯of the main cast of🕯

Kaiju No. 8

One Like = One candle in memoriam for those character designs lost in the animation translation

THAT BEING SAID.

HOLY SH*T!!!!! ITS HERE!!!!! KAIJU NUMBER 8!!!! LETS F*CKING GOOOO!!!!!!!!

I also want this to be a warning/ call-out post and addresses two major things that I think people are going to have a problem with.

1) I get it. The Character design wasn't what we asked for. I don't know who thought it was a good idea to get the guy who did Naruto and give him the reigns over character design, but they should of given that another few seconds more thought. (I guess they picked him because he's kinda famous and they wanted some of that "Big Three" luck to rub off on this?) But that doesn't mean that the show would be judged on this alone. The animation seems to be big budget Fluidtm for most of the shots and we might be getting some expositional filler/ big ticket action sequences to flesh out the story more than it does in the manga. I, for one, look forward to them ( hopefully) adding on to the training montages because they don't really feel as important as I think they should be in the story. We could also have been living in a time line where this never got animated in the first place sooo..... there's that.

2) To those of you who have no idea what Kaiju No. 8 is and are only watching it because everyone keeps telling you "Oh, Its just like Attack on Titan." And you are looking for something similar to fill the void, DO NOT get it in your head that this is anything more than "Get Strong, Fight Monster, Repeat." This sounds like an insult, but it isin't. Kn8 is a very simple show and that should be its biggest appeal for it. Ya'll spent 11 years watching an intense political thriller disguised as a monster fighter. This is supposed to act as a palette cleanser and filler untill something more complex decides to air. Like a piece of pickled ginger after sushi. Something simple, bright, and exciting that you don't have to think about too much.

I see so many people say that the manga is falling off and I'm sitting like "Yes it lacks a little in the sustenance department, but you came for monster fights... are you not still entertained?" I just think people are going to come into this with higher expectations than normal, thinking this is going to ride off the coattails of a very well loved/vaguely hated franchise that set a high bar for anything that might come after it and I don't want people to walk out of this fandom thinking its just a cheap imitation. Its Bromance and Monster Blood. That is it, nothing more, and that's why its good.

Thats it for this disclamer. Hope y'all enjoy the opening of this Homoerotic I mean, bromantic rendition of Pacific Rim, filled to the top with lovable characters, heartfelt moments, and intense action.

[isekaiguild]

🌀 **Re:Zero** 🌀

🌀 Re:Zero 🌀

All I can say is that I tried. I know I tried to watch this anime I would say around a year ago and I just could not get into it. I stuck with my 3–4-episode rule and felt that this story was about to get very repetitive (as far as the dying and coming back to life aspect of the show).

Although I feel like this anime isn’t for me, I keep hearing great things about it, people claim that Re:Zero is the best isekai ever, I don’t get it. 🤔🔄

I must give it another try, if the people are claiming that this anime is the best isekai ever, meaning it is better than my favorite isekai (That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, PUT SOME RESPECT ON RIMURU’S NAME!) I must be the judge. I did the same thing when people claimed that One Piece is better than Naruto, I determined after 155 episodes there is no way that is true.

So come with me on this Re:Zero journey and I will give my honest opinion, after every 2-4 episodes. 📺👀

[amoebamom]

Just finished watching the Attack on Titans' final episode, and boy, was it intense🫣 especially when Armin was yelling at himself to get up and fight😳💓🫢(it felt like my inner child was yelling at me😭)

I totally love Levi 's fighting spirit, though. He's always a badass!😎💪💓😍

The whole series was extremely volatile and demented, with insurmountable odds to overcome😱🫣 it was an emotional rollercoaster, to say the least🎢 💞😵‍💫

I probably have PTSD now, but it was worth enduring the pain for an epic experience 🤕❤️‍🩹🙌

I don't know what else to say without spoiling too much, but the ending is tragically fitting😞🪦 and you wonder if there ever was such a thing like this in the distant past of our history🤔 (makes you wonder about giant footprints👣)😳

We're not always told the truth, and time has a way of changing things ⏳️🤷‍♀️

Anyway, I give it a 10, perfection🤌

It's one of my top favorite anime for sure💯🥇🙌

[darkeraven22]

Case Closed Episode 65 Review

Godzilla! In The Downtown Tokyo Set! With The Kitchen Knife!Ugh. Really? Gomera is really Godzilla? Ok! Fine! I admit it! It’s far easier to kill in the Godzilla costume than the Gamera costume! Other reveals! No. Thievery inspired by Legendary’s Godzilla. That’s over a decade away from this point. Yes it’s probably inspired by the 90s Godzilla revival. Yes. Gomera was selected because it’s…

[b3crew]

REVIEW | "KonoSuba! Love For These Clothes of Desire!" | B3crew.com

It’s not the best visual novel out there, but KonoSuba! Love for These Clothes of Desire! is still more fun than being swallowed by a giant toad.

[thefloatingstone]

I watched ALL of High Guardian Spice and I'm here to cut through the internet drama, the harassment, the backlash and the absolute state of Crunchyroll Originals to answer the REAL question;

But is the show actually GOOD tho?

Part 5 is the wrap up.

Part 4

Part 3

Part 2

Part 1

[heidiblack]

Convention Artist Alley Review: Crunchyroll Expo

Convention: Crunchyroll Expo

Location: San Jose, CA

Date: August 5-7

Table cost: $323.75

Table size: 8’ 

Application: Juried

Fandom/audience: Anime

Items for sale: 11x17" posters (fanart and original), coloring book, zines (fanart and original), comics, pins (original), resin coasters and jewelry  (including primogems), leather keychains (by my sister)

Mask policy: Required in all areas

Previously attended? Yes, in 2017.

Pros: Visiting friends in California, back in the bay area! Large, well-known property (crunchyroll) that spares little expense and makes an outright huge show, convention artist alley staff were very friendly and checked in with us regularly, smoothly run.

Cons: California so everything is expensive, tables were crammed together, audience seemed to be guys more interested in ahoge/hentai/waifu bs, allows proxy selling (including the person next to me who was selling stuff by someone else already in the alley) and no policing of work (they say they encourage original art, but someone near me had essentially traced logos on shirts they were selling), requires event insurance (only event I’ve ever done that does)

Most popular item(s): Posters (59); Zines and pins (23 each), primogems (22)

Least popular item(s): Commissions (2)

Upon entering the venue we were accosted by many helpful staff directing us exactly where we needed to go (hooray!). Vaccine card checks and masks were mandatory. As soon as we checked in the artist alley liaisons introduced themselves to us and let us know they were happy to help with anything we may need.

My friend and I set up on the thursday before the show, giving us time to go have fun in San Jose afterwards (oh how I missed California, even if it did catch fire while I was there).

I have done crunchyroll expo before on its first year (2017?) when it was in the Santa Clara convention center.  I find that California shows tend to not be impressed with my work (they largely like the work of people like sakimi-chan and other digital artists). Unfortunately, the attendees were more impressed by the proxy seller to my one side and the seller on my other side who sold ahoge face masks and traced shirts.

The tables were 8’ each, which was nice, but they were also smooshed directly up to each other, making each row very packed.  With many artists creating booths that wall off their sides it made each table feel very claustrophobic, and assaulted attendees with just a constant sensory stream.  By the time they reached my table in the second to last row I could see their eyes glazed over - your work had to be incredibly different to entice them.

Additionally, the “guests” were these hololive AI v-tubers, which I had no merch of, and seem to attract the “stereotypical otaku guy,” who is not my audience in any way.

Crunchyroll also requires all artists to have their own event insurance (with coverage up to $2m) - they are the only show that requires this, which just adds an extra cost to an already expensive show.

I did make a commissioner cry (from happiness) when I handed her the commission I drew for her, which is always extra special.

Gross sales: ~$2000

Recommend/will attend again? It is such a big name show, but I can’t justify flying out for so little return. Had I still been local to San Jose it would have been much more affordable.

Other 2022 convention reviews:

Otakon

Gem City

Dokidokon

Anime Midwest

Anime Ohio

Huntington Toy & Comic Con

Momocon

SPACE

Causeacon

Indiana Comic Con

Ohayocon

Anime Zap (featuring 2021 review links)

These reviews take a lot of time and effort, but I think they are something the artist alley community needs! If you would like to support me so I can keep doing these, please consider donating or buying from my shops!

Help support Heidi Black by donating or sharing with your friends.

Storenvy

Etsy

[frankieinhollywood]

rediscovering my naruto obsession as a 26 year old, a series i havent thought about at all in years but i adored as a 13-14 year old?????

its more likely than you think

[blerdsunited]

Day 1: Zapp Renfro from Blood Blockade Battlefront. #BlackHistoryMonth

[historyhermann]

Kizuna no Allele Spoiler-Filled Review

Kizuna no Allele is an idolish music series directed by Kenichiro Komaya. Wit Studio and Signal.MD produce the series. The latter is known for series such as The Ancient Magus' Bride and Spy x Family, and the former for FLCL Progressive and Atom: The Beginning. In addition, Deko Akao wrote the show's scripts.

Reprinted from Pop Culture Maniacs and Wayback Machine. This was the forty-sixth article I wrote for Pop Culture Maniacs. This post was originally published on August 25, 2023.

The series itself has a strange origin. It is an adaption of a YouTube channel by Kizuna AI, a Japanese virtual YouTuber, known as VTuber. This has led to claims that the series is a "forced meme" or that it embodies the "artificiality of pop entertainment in Japan." Whether that is entirely true or not, the series clearly has some positives in its favor. Well-known studios are producing it. A scriptwriter (Akao) is known for her work on My Roommate Is a Cat and Komi Can't Communicate. One of the show's composers (Go Sakabe) composed the opening and closing songs for Gosick. The show's art director Masakazu Miyake worked on series such as Fate/Zero, Spy x Family, and Steins;Gate.

While saying all of this, I had serious reservations about Kizuna no Allele, regardless of whether it an attempt by Kizuna AI to revive her brand or not. For one, the musical sequences, reportedly resembling actual VTubers, seem awkward and strange. This is especially the case to those who don't watch that sort of content.

The main character, Miracle (voiced by Ayumi Hinohara) is not as sympathetic as she could be. She is trying everything she can to become a virtual artist/performer, i.e., a VTuber. She attends a school named Artist Garden (Aden) Academy dedicated to that goal. That school is almost equivalent to a school where people train  to be influencers on Instagram or a YouTuber. It is clearly absurd.

One character shines through: Noelle. Voiced by Yuka Nukui, she challenges Miracle, a huge fangirl of Kizuna, to be better. Both go to school in the virtual world. Possibilities are said to be limitless. At first, it appears that Noelle is bullying Miracle. It is later revealed that her family pressured her to be "the best."

Later, she becomes a mentor of sorts telling her to face songs head-on. She brings her to a room where bubbles light up different colors depending on the interaction. In a touching scene, she declares that if you understand a song's lyrics, it will come out differently. She encourages Kizuna to tap into her abilities.

She has stronger character development than Miracle. This truly begins in the show's fifth episode. Some painful history which weakens her emotional connection to her parents is implied. In a final scene, she declares that everything must be "perfect."

One parallel is Kōsei Arima in Your Lie in April. His mother gives him strict piano instruction. He is so scarred that after her death he stops playing piano since he can't hear sound when he plays. This series is different. Noelle is pressured by her parents (and sister) to be the best. However, she has the notion she must be "perfect," even though they never directly told her this. Miracle plays an important part in making Noelle a more whole person.

The series seems to be pro-A.I. An A.I. named Vaity wakes up Miracle in her swanky high-tech apartment every morning. The character, Chris, is hinted as A.I. before episode seven. Chris (voiced by Hikari Codama) is clearly crushing on Miracle, calling her cute and kissing her on the ear in the second episode. As such, the series is yuri-ish, as much as Ippon Again!. It isn't directly yuri like Yuri Is My Job!, Birdie Wing, or Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury. The latter, not the former, makes the series enjoyable, including when Chris gives Miracle tips on how to improve her dancing.

The person in the atrium adds mystery to the series. This character eats neatly and drinks tea. In some ways, the character reminds me of Victorique de Blois in Gosick. He seems out of place since much of the series takes place in Aden Academy and like a character in another show. This is the case for a (different) character named marumaru. Miracle often uses marumaru as a pillow, with the latter calling the former "ordinary".

While the fact that there are contests and school administrators is consistent with other idol shows. What sets Kizuna no Allele apart is the direct mention and almost encouragement of A.I. In a post-credits scene in the third episode, there is a question about non-fungible tokens, known as NFTs. A simple explanation is provided. NFTs have clear copyright, storage, environmental, and security issues.

This is compounded by the fees charged and manipulation of NFT prices. Some have voiced concern that these tokens are pyramid/Ponzi schemes and pointed to financial uncertainty of the data files. They function like cryptographic tokens, but are not so-called "cryptocurrencies." This isn't mentioned at all. This led some to say the show is shilling for NFTs. In this series, A.I. tools rank V-Tubers. In the 11th episode, participants in a music festival get an event NFT as a prize.

This uncritical focus on A.I. stands in contrast to the omniscient, godlike A.I. as depicted in the six-part OVA named The Orbital Children. This series almost encourages creation of anime by A.I. The latter is not possible. A.I. tools like ChatGPT are "incapable of creating anything new." They can only pull in what already exists. Consider Angela Carpenter in Carole & Tuesday who works with Tao, a music producer who uses advanced A.I. to ensure performers are profitable. That plotline is better constructed than Miracle wanting to write her own lyrics rather than A.I. tools.

Other series are more critical of A.I. than Kizuna no Allele. The same can be said for Cleopatra in Space. It has a paranoid A.I. scared of ghosts, near PYRAMID Academy which generates electricity for the campus. Later, an evil A.I. named Cyrano created by Octavian tries to control one of the protagonists.

Star Trek: Lower Decks and Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur portray A.I. with more depth than anything this series has to offer. The former series has a malevolent computer A.I. in the second season. The latter has a "living" A.I. supercomputer and an entire episode on the dangers of A.I.

Otherwise, this series also reinforces, in many ways, expectations of idol femininity, even if it possibly subverts it. This isn't, necessarily unique, as those series within the Love Live! franchise, BanG Dream!, and If My Favorite Pop Idol Made It to the Budokan, I Would Die, to name a few of the over 90 idol anime and manga out there, do the same.

Undoubtedly the series has a strong animation style and intriguing designs. But, it isn't as nuanced as Do It Yourself!!, which gives the lesson that do-it-yourself (DIY) ethics can mesh with techno-optimism and technology. Instead, Kizuna no Allele appears to be taking the side of the tech bros who favor A.I., rather than approaching the topic in a more critical way. This is one of the many downfalls of this series, to build upon what I've mentioned earlier in this review.

Another one of the issues of Kizuna no Allele is that it took time for all those in the opening sequence of the series to have a significant role in the series. For instance, Riz (voiced by Arisa Hanawa) does not have much a role until later on in the series. In fact, she begins to get a spotlight in the end of episode eight, when she declares that she might have collected enough data as she rides on her fogelboard (a hoverboard-like device) catching the viewer's attention for the first time in the series.

The music in this series is only passable, apart from opening and closing sequences, by Ayato Fujiwara and MikitoP respectfully. While this is the first series Fujiwara has worked on, MikitoP has composed for Kochoki. Sometimes it feels like the V-Tuber music would be better to listen to than watch. The animation sequences with characters in V-Tuber form can look a bit ghoulish.

Apart from previous criticism of Kizuna no Allele, in terms of subpar music and positive views of A.I. (and presumably NFTs), there are some positives. For one, Noelle takes Miracle under her wing and teaches her the importance of music, while Miracle does the same for Noelle. In fact, in the show's sixth episode, she helps give Noelle the confidence to write her own song, and get beyond her previous dedication to be the best she can be, which even resulted in self-harm.

More importantly, Miracle, and the show itself, emphasize that you should follow your own goals, not those imposed on others, and that it more important to be someone you love than to be perfect. This emphasis on self-love allows Noelle to open up more to Miracle, resulting in her smiling, and laughing, for the first time in the series.

There is the continuing mystery of marumaru and Chris. The series, like Ippon Again, seems to be saying that hard work can pay off. That isn't always true. Furthermore, the animation of this series flows well and there are some cute scenes with Miracle, meaning that she is relatable.

In the seventh episode, Chris goes on a journey to find herself. Miracle and Noelle look at her previous streams to find out more about her. They become such good friends that Noelle finger-flicks Miracle on the forehead when she gets annoyed. This shows their connection between each other.

The importance of self-discovery fits with other themes in Kizuna no Allele. In episode seven, one of the best episodes in the series, there is an unsurprising revelation. Only half the students base their avatars on their real-life appearance. Chris seems to be a real-life student, but Miracle doesn't want to bother her.

This episode builds on previous plot development. Specifically, Chris is even more direct with her romantic feelings with Miracle, declaring she can only overcome obstacles with Miracle in a sort of love confession. She later adds that she wrote lyrics only thanks to Miracle, who says she wants to be better friends with Chris.

All of this interlinks to the growing camaraderie, by the seventh episode of Kizuna no Allele, between Chris, Noelle, Miracle, and even marumaru. Miracle is criticized by Noelle for "dragging" them down, as she hasn't produced original lyrics. Even so, Miracle still supports her. Almost akin to the sub-plot in Alice Gear Aegis Expansion, Principal of ADEN Academy reportedly has a devious, or evil, plan. One character says in the 11th episode they need to stop ADEN's plan. The academy is described as existing across the world and run by the ADEN Network.

Many loose ends are tied up in the eighth episode of Kizuna no Allele. At first, it seems like any other episode, with the video streams of Noelle and Chris. Miracle worries that she is falling behind in her rank and views. However, something important is revealed: marumaru is actually Quan (voiced by Rina Kawaguchi). Miracle has been confiding in marumaru since episode one. Only the audience knows they are the same. As such, it is clear Quan has been front and center the entire time. Miracle even states that marumaru is not boring or pathetic.

The 11th episode turns this on its head. Noelle, Riz, Miracle, and marumaru perform at the Shower of Sound festival. While they fail, marumaru feels that their present form isn't good. Even though Miracle says that marumaru doesn't need to change anything, they transform into Quan, their "true self." This Quan is not like the one in the aviary. Rather Quan is a girl who appears in the series' opening sequence. Quan in the "real world" is a mystery, but could be a trans girl who hasn't transitioned. If so, Quan would have similarities with Snapdragon in High Guardian Spice, a trans woman shown prior to transition.

One of the strangest parts of Kizuna no Allele were the post-credit scenes in V-Tuber style, described as "recommended videos". While some were on topics like drawing, design, food, in-universe trivia, or something else entirely, they pale in comparison to those primarily about Sakura's outfits in Cardcaptor Sakura and Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card.

A later episode features a competition where characters race on hoverboards. In the case of the former, Riz got a lot more airtime. She becomes a stronger character, sharing the lesson that you shouldn't spread fake news. It appears she has a crush on Miracle, saying Miracle really interests her. The comradeship between Riz, Miracle, and Miracle's other friends, makes the series that much more enjoyable.

Riz, who only wants to get better data and cares little about her rank, served as a vehicle for the story to push Miracle forward by stating that she should think for herself rather than relying on others. Predictably, this causes Miracle to post videos and people accuse her of "copying others". She gets so much negativity that she even thinks of quitting becoming a V-Tuber!

This anxiety she faces is nowhere near what a high school student, an owner of a popular cat on social media, experienced in the 10th episode of Too Cute Crisis. In the case of that series, she could more effectively deal with her anxiety by not desiring to keep every single picture perfect, drawing from the terrible blurry photographs taken by protagonist Liza Luna of her cat Yozora.

Coming back to Kizuna No Allele, I liked that Miracle's friends don't abandon her, but cheered her up. In fact, Riz states that Miracle shouldn't be dependent on her friends and should walk alongside them instead. This causes Miracle to declare she will express herself the best she can in the virtual world, showing her "true" self. She expresses this even more directly in the series finale, where she embraces the idea of them playing a collab concert so they can qualify for the Virtual Grid Awards (VGA)

Furthermore, this episode not only highlights the clash between Lapin d'Or Ada (who heads the VGAs) and ADEN Academy principal Auris (voiced by Masumi Tazawa), but the value of originality. For one, Lapin is concerned about collaborative concerts, feeling they are copying one another and look all the same. She changes the system so students aren't rewarded. Many students to abandon the idea as a result. The latter impacts the friends of Miracle. They believe that working individually is  "better." This quickly dissipates as each of them realizes their connection to her.

In a powerful end to Kizuna No Allele, Chris, Quan, Noelle, and Riz all sing and dance together with Miracle in a concert as PathTLive. The 3D animation of the concert isn't terrible. It is more passable than previous 3d V-Tuber videos in the series. The lesson in the episode is that connecting and inspiring others is a good thing. It can even allow people to overcome obstacles, as Miracle and her friend make their way into the top 15 qualifiers for the VGAs. The series ending leaves open the possibility of a second season. Although it appeared to be very unlikely, when I wrote an earlier draft of this review, it was reported that another season will be premiering in October!

On the other hand, the show is not critical, in any way, whatsoever, of the YTuber culture, equivalent to social influencers in the U.S. There are no episodes, like those in the first season of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder or Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. Both focus on the dangers of online trolls and the power of a social media influencer. Instead, the videos have in-universe product placement. There is an advertisement for a bubble drink in one episode and an ad on the reported "value" of e-sports. Getting a high rank in the virtual world is indicated as important.

Such an emphasis reinforces the problematic idea the highly rated/ranked content is "good". In reality, this cannot be further from the truth. Even if a video has a lot of views, comments, and reactions, this doesn't mean that it is "good", as it can be actively harmful. Such content may not be to everyone's taste either. There can be "hidden gems" which don't get as much recognition. Although the show implies that Miracle's videos are awful, she is obsessed with getting a higher ranking, so she can compete in the virtual award competition.

While the series is watchable due to the interactions between Miracle and her friends, the yurish subtext, important of self-love and self-discovery, and sometimes absurd storylines, there are many issues. This includes non-existent criticism of VTubers, social media influencers, and A.I. Subpar music, lack of character development in the protagonist, and other problems are additional problems. Hopefully, a second season would fix these issues.

Kizuna no Allele is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

© 2023 Burkely Hermann. All rights reserved.

[animereviewsxx]

Spy X Family: Season 2 Episode 2

Shout out to Damians friends and the teachers at Eden for noticing that there was something wrong with Damian and trying to cheer him up.

Seeing Damian smile and have fun just being a kid makes me so happy!

[annieartist03]

[isekaiguild]

🌀 Re:Zero 🌀

I may have gotten a little carried away bingeing this anime. I am currently on what I believe to be a filler episode. “EX Memory Snow”.

Although I started this anime before, I watched from the beginning. My honest opinion so far about this anime is that it is an acquired taste. This anime is totally different from your typical isekai, and it just may not be for me. 🤔🔄

To say this anime is slow-paced is an understatement. For each episode to be around 49 minutes long it feels like the story has very little progress, then again, I believe that was the point of the story's progress and MC abilities because the MC must learn something after each death.

I knew the story was going to be slow but I also hoped that the MC will progress and get stronger as well as understand or try to learn more about his ability by now, but it seems like it is the last thing on the agenda, at least for now.

I will try and stick it out, get caught up to the current episode and then give my opinion. 📺🕒

[dans-den]

Demon Slayer Season 3 Review

Hey everyone how's it going? Dan here and today I'll be reviewing Demon Slayer season 3!

Spoiler Warning (if you wanna watch it, just do the free trial for two weeks on Crunchyroll)

Now I've been looking forward to this season after season 2 which I thought was a near masterpiece thanks to the animation and the story as well as the characters. Season 3 has been hyped up for the last year and people have been frothing at the mouth (myself included honestly) waiting for this to drop. Though I will say I'm sure some people weren't happy it was exclusive to Crunchyroll only whereas Season 2 was on Hulu and Crunchyroll. Either way, people were ready to watch season 3 and I will say it's great but I think season 2 was slightly better.

I love Tanjiros journey and how he's slowly becoming a stronger swordsman and demon slayer and how we got more background into his ancestors and how they knew Yoriichi as well as more background into the dance that was passed down to them. I also liked that we finally got Muzans backstory animated and how he became a demon. If you've read the manga you already know how it goes but even so I always enjoy when we get these scenes in the pages animated since I love the medium. Speaking of animation, I also want to point out how they used 3D animation as well and I'll admit it, it looks well done. Doesn't clash badly with the 2D style and it blends well enough to be a pleasant visual experience.

Now the demon slayer cast this season was interesting. Instead of the main cast which consist of Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu and Inosuke, we get two Hashira's and someone from Tanjiros class Genya. Tanjiro and Nezuko are still the main protagonists and I did enjoy the Hashira's in this season. Mitsuri and Muichiro had great backstories but the one I think I liked most was Genyas backstory (though Muichiro was a close second) and explains why he is the way he is and why his brother Sanemi is the way he is as well. The upper moon demons this season were pretty insane. I thought the last seasons Upper moon was insane and to be honest, upper moon 6 was definitely better than the upper moon 5 demon. Upper moon 4 however, that was a complete unit themselves. Its a shame Muichiro spent almost all his fighting on Upper moon 5 who I thought was a bit underwhelming compared to upper moon 4 and definitely compared to upper moon 6. Though I will say the backstories for the Upper demons were near nonexistent. Upper moon 5 didn't get one and Upper moon 4 got a little bit of backstory but compared to last seasons Upper moon, it's not as significant but still decent.

Now my main complaint here is the absence of Zenitsu and Inosuke. Inosuke is my favorite character of the demon slayer cast while Zenitsu is my least favorite. Even with that as the case, I still feel they should have been in the swordsmith village arc. To me, Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu and Inosuke are a package deal. I enjoy seeing them train, go on adventures and battling demons together. They only appeared in the first episode and that's it, they made a little post credit cameo but that doesn't count in the main story. I'm sure they'll have a huge part in the next season but I felt it was the same without these two fighting along side Tanjiro and Nezuko continuing to get stronger as they battle upper ranked demons.

Overall I enjoyed season 3 and the ending to it. Despite my nitpicks here and there, this is still a great anime and a great season. Now I'm excited to see how things go in Season 4 with Muzan plotting to take Nezuko to complete his goal of being the ultimate lifeform. I hear the Infinity Castle Arc will be the best Arc in the entire series and with what's suppose to go down, I am once again ready for it!

Rating this I will give it:

8.5/10

I like it just like I like the other seasons, each one has its strengths and weaknesses but overall its still a great anime series and I highly recommend watching season 3 as well as the other seasons and movies of Demon Slayer.

That's all I got for today.

See ya!