I’m enjoying how Netflix’s series release dates don’t directly map on to Sony’s Crunchyroll and Funimation.
It means there are new shows like Godzilla and Ragnarok to watch on one platform while we move towards the end of story arcs on the other.
In this Irregular Reconnaissance: Anime, as with previous, you’ll come with me as we catch up with the vibe from these shows. There won’t be spoilers, not planned ones, but just the occasional reference of implication. What actually happens in these episodes will remain mysterious.
Don’t read too much into the order of the five animes and their mini-reviews. Roughly speaking, the newer titles are on the top as they’re more likely to have a more significant number of people curious about them. However, the reviews on the more established shows are better informed and safer predictions as to whether the series is worth your time.
In this Irregular Reconnaissance;
Godzilla Singular Point
Episodes 1 to 4
We were promised something different for Godzilla Singular Point, and we’ve got it. The catch? The show still feels like a Godzilla story.
One of the tricks, I think, is familiar sounds. The music says Godzilla to me.
What’s different is the approach. We’ve investigators and scientists reacting when a small swarm of monsters appears and then deals with itself in mysterious circumstances. Not the first time to have academics leading the charge in Godzilla, but this troupe all feel unorthodox.
Oh, and there’s a chatty dog-themed AI. See, different.
There’s also Jet Jaguar, who looks like a beer barrel given robotic arms and legs. In fact, that might be what happened.
It still feels like too early to tell, and, er, I’m four episodes on! I guess that means they’re keeping it fresh!
Status: Average
Where: Netflix
Record of Ragnarok
Episodes 4 to 9
In defence of Record of Ragnarok, they’re making the fights unpredictable, although some twists are signposted through their build-up.
As a neutral statement, it’s clear we’re not going to get much in the way of conclusion, and a second series is needed, hoped for or planned. At nine episodes in, we’re just starting the third fight. There are 13 lined up, so even if we stop when either the gods or humans have won seven, there’s a lot more combat to come.
In criticism, my hopes that the involvement of the valkyrie might weave in some plot are beginning to fade. Are we really just going to get backstories woven in with fight scenes?
Status: Average
Where: Netflix
Moriarty the Patriot
Episodes 18 to 20
Moriarty still has my attention, and it’s still worth watching, but I think it’s taken a bit of a clumsy twist.
It feels like to prolong the Sherlock vs Moriarty drama that they’ve shoe-horned in a third faction. Whereas there are now people for the Lord of crime to deal with in a somewhat more proactive way, it feels odd that all these talented brains and fighters turn out to be readily available.
Don’t get me wrong; the new pieces on the chessboard of the British Empire are interesting in their own right. More importantly, the set-ups, betrayals and dark drama keep my attention.
I’m still going to recommend the show. I guess it’s a bit like listening to good music while on hold on the phone. It’s not about the quality of the tunes; it’s that we’re on hold.
Status: Average.
Where: Crunchyroll
Zombie Land Saga
Season 2 (Revenge), Episode 10 to 12
Brutal? Funny? I’m trying to work out how the ending of Zombie Land Saga Revenge ends just there.
We’d been doing the build-up to the future by going backwards in time through character histories. We know the fate of the whole Saga region is up for grabs.
Meanwhile, the zombie idols have their own destiny to deal with. Can they get back on track with enough success to make amends for the failed show?
It’s looking good for a while. Wholesome, friendly and fun. And there we stay for a chunk of time. Watch to the end. The very end.
Status: Average
Where: Crunchyroll
So I’m a Spider, So What?
Episodes 21 to 23
Episode 23 isn’t the end of the series, but 24 has been delayed for an unspecified time.
Events in this strangely fun anime had simply been escalating in power level, and now we’re at the inevitable battle. It’s not unrealistic to have the winners and losers decided here, but we don’t.
I’m enjoying the show, but I think we’ve lost some of the survivalism of the first episodes. It’s now much closer to a Naruto or even perhaps Dragon Ball in the earlier days as super-powered warriors duke it out.
What happens next depends on fights, not a clever survival strategy. And we literarily have a whole cast of characters standing in a line and watching various personal duels. There’s also an unexpected set of fighters that might throw the entire mythos up in the air.
I’ve not read ahead, but I see two roads for the anime to go, and both might work. There could be more power escalation until we hit that Dragon Ball Z style and are fighting with planet blasting powers. Or, we get to a similar level of energy but weave a path of politics and strategy to survive it.
Status: Still good.
Where: Good
Seen anything terrible recently? Watched anything great? Share your discoveries in the comments below.
