Anime Reviews 4/21/2022

Healer Girl Ep 1: When I realized this was actually a anime musical series, I decided to give it a shot. It feels like it is a idol anime with magical realism, but, as a fan of musicals, the singing and story works for me. Also avoiding the baggage of the idol industry is probably a good idea for a bubbly feel, with some serious moments. I'll happily keep watching this.

Don't Hurt Me, My Healer! Ep 1: Another healer show, but this is more of the wacky fantasy variety. As someone who is not a fan of Konosuba, the fantasy comedy that seems to have the most traction, I was wary of this show, but decided to give it a try because it technically wasn't an isekai. I watched it, and it sort of has an old school comedy charm. I feel like if this was animated 30 years ago, it would look a lot better, but the bit where they were apologizing for not being able to fix his face, but then it turned out he just looks dumb, hit me just right. I think the characters are a bit annoying, but in that 90's anime way. I am ready to drop this one, but I'll keep watching for now. 

 The Executioner and Her Way of Live Ep 1: Talking about isekai, this show sort of half-heartingly attempts to make you think it is a generic isekai show, but the title alone sort of spoils the "twist," which is for the best because the premise of the show is more interesting than trying to trick people. The thing that intrigues me is that it does have a Yoko Taro-esque feeling of trying to find happiness in miserable situations, with maybe a bit more anime ridiculousness thrown in. It probably helps that the scene of everyone being turned into ash reminds me of the last boss of Drakengard and the Nier intro follow up. Not sure if this one will be a winner either, but I am interested to see where it goes.

Manga Reviews 4/6/2022

 Now, here is also some random manga reviews. Enjoy!

 Catch These Hands! Vol 1: Catch These Hands! is the story of two high school classmates growing up, and figuring out how to be adults essentially. It is sort of billed as a lesbian romance, but it is really more of a comedy with a dash of romance as one of the characters isn't emotionally intelligent enough to be in any real relationship as far as I can tell. This character is Takebe, which I think whether you like her constant expression of anger/confusion/tiredness both in her face, and her general attitude, will determine if this is something for you. I was first annoyed that this wasn't really a romance story, but Soramori trying to help Takebe be the adult she wants to be (though she does have motives that don't seem to align with Takabe yet), and Takabe just sort of angrily going through each thing sort of became charming to me. I'll probably get the 2nd volume at some point just to see if it continues to be funny/interesting.

I Think Our Son Is Gay Vol 1: Sort of like Catch These Hands, it took me awhile to really vibe with this manga, but it got there. It is essentially the same sitcom situation in short from. The mother suspects that her son is gay, and the son is still in the closet, but isn't great at hiding it. The "I just want a boyfriend...GIRLFRIEND I MEANT GIRLFRIEND" situation happens at least once every other story. It gets repetitive in the first half, but once the boy the son likes enters the picture, and we get more into flashbacks, and how the mother figured this out, it became interesting. I ended up staying up to read the last chapter just to see what happens. Not sure if I'll get the 2nd volume yet, but I don't regret getting volume 1.

Anime Reviews 4/5/2022

Here are some anime reviews. Enjoy!

Kotaro lives alone: This series gave such a bad first impression. Simple art-style + precocious kid = wacky high-jinks! is how I thought it was going to go, but it really goes in hard with why a kindergarten kid ends up living by themselves, and it firmly places itself in the "dramedy" category for me. The series can get a little too sappy, after-school-special-y in some storylines, but when it just lets something be sad, it was heartbreaking for me. It is also funny, but it is clear by the end of the series that he comedy is pretty much there to make you care about these people and the found family they created. Best surprise anime of the year for me so far. 

Slow Loop: In a genre with recent entries like Laid Back Camp and Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater, this has a lot of competition. Unfortunately, I don't think it really lives up to those other series. It does have interesting angles with dealing with grief and forming relationships through a hobby, but by the end of the series, I was just sort of bored with explanations on how to fish. I know saying a slice-of-life show boring is like calling water wet, but as someone who likes the slower paced shows, even I just wanted it to be over by the end. Not a terrible show, has some good moments early on, but I would honestly only recommend if someone already watched other better shows in the same vein.