Netflix’s disappointing High-Rise Invasion is featured first in this spoiler-free round-up of anime mini-reviews.
In Irregular Reconnaissance, Geek Native shares a series of catch-up thoughts and observations on new and classic anime while they’re fresh from a watch (or a re-watch).
At the end of just a few paragraphs about the show, you’ll get the two need-to-know bits of information; an overall status (or score) simply put in only a few words. Is the show any good? Or is it average? You’ll also get a link to where geographical restrictions hopefully provide you with a legal way to watch it.
Your own scout reports are most welcome too. If you’ve found any anime that you would recommend either as a watch or avoid, then make your suggestion in the comment section at the bottom of the page.
In this Irregular Reconnaissance;
High-Rise Invasion
Episodes 1 to 6
The posters, tiny teasers and synopsis were enough to get me interested in High-Rise Invasion, and it’s not got even close to my hopes.
The 18-rated anime is about people trapped in a mysterious realm of sky-scrapers and ground, where the only way between buildings seems to be rope bridges slung between the buildings.
To make matters worse, a rival group known as “Masks” and all wearing sinister white masks hunts and butchers those who are trapped there.
I’m six episodes in, and the idea behind the set-up is being explained to you via characters explaining it. It’s quick and crude, but I hope the rush is because better things are to come.
Upskirt shots are common but irregular, which takes the horror out and means whole scenes are signposted many minutes in advance as the action is orchestrated for another flash.
Status: Disappointing.
Where: Netflix
Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!
Episodes 1 to 5
This anime is a pleasant surprise and an introduction to a great new word; Chunibyo.
Chunibyo is a colloquial term for a teenager struggling through their hormones through the means of a fantastical delusion of grandeur. You’re not John; you’re the occultist assassin Lord Shadowheart.
Exploring the awkward phase though a small but perfectly cast of characters, Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! picks up with one ex-Chunibyo getting caught up in a drama with his younger and full-on Chunibyo neighbour.
I’ll admit that perhaps I’m relating too hard. However, everyone is delightful—even those with tempers and dark sides to their personalities. Even the fat cat.
Status: Surprisingly Good.
Where: Netflix
Jujutsu Kaisen
Episodes 13 to 20
Winner of Anime of the Year at the Crunchyroll Awards, Jujutsu Kaisen is back on form.
In hindsight, there might have been a slight drop in tempo a few episodes back as the show introduces a key villain by introducing and spending time with one of his victims. I guess it’s one of those writing investments that pay off later.
As a result of that payoff, we’ve a much better idea of the terrible power that the anthropomorphised curses can wield, making the in-fighting Jujutsu’s personal challenges sorcerers even more damaging.
My only niggle with the show is that it seems most happy in combat scenes. While the action has been fantastic, easily rivalling titans like Bleach, Black Clover or Naruto, wasn’t there a hint of a suggestion that Jujutsu Kaisen would have a horror theme?
Status: Good
Where: Funimation
Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!
Episodes 1 to 6
I hadn’t heard of Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! until it won Best Animation at the Crunchyroll Awards. That was a strong hint to go check it out, and I’m so glad that I did!
The story is charming and straightforward; one of friendship and the desire to make anime together. Yes, this is an anime about making anime.
The school isn’t for the three friends, all girls, starting an anime club since there’s one already, so they blur the lines and make the “Film” club. Then, to justify their existence, they have to make a demo reel for the terrifying school committee.
Flights of fancy from the imaginative in-show creators mean that Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! is peppered with fantastical landscapes, action scenes and mecha versus robot encounters.
The fact that all three of our heroes are memorable female characters is a welcome plus.
Status: Good, sometimes hitting notes of lovely.
Where: Funimation
Listeners
Episodes 9 to 12
I suspected the only way I’d get through Listeners is if I powered through it, so I did.
Look, Listeners isn’t terrible. It should have been better, and I wonder if there was once a plan to actually use the music it paid homage to and when that fell through (which was bound to do given the iconic status of the songs and bands referenced), had then to be rewritten.
The plot follows a young man who makes a living from scavenging scrap and, on the side, buildings from that scrap. One day he finds a girl with no memory in the scrap heap who turns out to be a Player. Players transform huge stereo systems into mecha and fight against the supernatural Listeners.
You can tell how important a Player is going to be if the artists bothered to design them a unique mech (known as Equipment) or not.
I guess the plot is about finding out who this girl, Mu, is and exploring the ambitions of the various Player factions looking to exploit her. It’s more fun spotting the easter eggs, though.
Status: Struggled to reach average.
Where: Funimation
That’s the round-up for this irregular (it’s ready when it’s ready) round-up of mini-reviews of anime, but there’s both the room below in the comment section and the desire to find out what your recent recommendations are. Which anime should readers be watching?
