Ooph, so much anime this week! We’re still reeling from Anime Expo Lite that happened, online, over the weekend.
If you’re looking for a catch-up with almost all the trailers, then check out this mega thread.
The streaming platforms are already showing some of the new releases and so expect Scout and her team back as fast as she can manage for episode #70 of Irregular Reconnaissance. If you’ve earmarked any favourites from the trailers or have any early reviews, then please let us know in the comments below.
In the meantime, let’s get cracking with a catch-up of some of the first wave of Crunchyroll’s Originals reaching their conclusion, Netflix returning to the world of furries and those man-eating titans.
Tower of God
Episodes 10 to 13
I love anime. It can surprise me in ways that blockbuster movies and TV never does.
I’ve greatly enjoyed Tower of God despite smugly thinking I had it sussed. Our naive hero is climbing the Tower to be with his friends, he’s making them as he goes. Slowly but surely he’ll get caught up in the politics of the place.
I guess that’s kinda right but season 1 will leave you desperate for season 2. My guesses as to how the plot will plan out, I’m sure, won’t be miles off from your own if you’re watching. Where we differ; you’re probably right. You’ll have smelt the rat that I did not.
Now, I’m confident I’ll enjoy season 2 as much (jinx), but I’ve no idea how the plot is going to unwind this time!
Status: Recommended!
Where: Crunchyroll
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!
Episodes 7 to 12
This is an anime about making friends as to avoid doom and try and override destiny. There’s just a hint of girl-on-girl unrequited love, and the show is generally as wholesome as bread.
It gets a bit flat in the middle, though. There are a lot of hunky men and darling friends to introduce. By the time the cast is there, the moment of truth has nearly arrived.
Will our hero avoid being cast as the villainess? Has she done enough or has her meddling with the expected flow of events made things worse?
A second season has been announced and, hmm, I’m not sure I’ll get my time. Season 1 seems to wrap up quite nicely for me. Let me know if you recommend season 2!
Status: Average.
Where: Crunchyroll
BNA
Episodes 1 to 4
The mistake I made with Beastars was to ignore, dismissing it as some furry anime. It’s not just a furry anime and nor is BNA.
In fact, although she doesn’t look like it – our hero is supposed to be a human.
In this future, beastmen live among us. They’re second class citizens. However, they can transform to look entirely human. In BNA, we pick up as our hero tries to enter a city in which she believes beastmen have much more freedom and where she can solve the mystery of why she looks like a tanuki-girl (a Japanese raccoon dog) rather than a human girl.
It’s early days, but the characters are certainly interesting, and the plot hints at something suitably Machiavellian.
Status: Looking good.
Where: Netflix
BAKI
Season 2 The Great Raitai Tournament Saga, Episodes 7 to 13
I’m surprised that I’m enjoying BAKI, but I still am. Season 2 is weaker than Season 1 but not terribly so.
My main beef with Netflix’s “The Great Raitai Tournament Saga” is that it feels like 1 and two-quarters of plot arcs stitched together. I’ve not read the manga, but I’ll entirely accept that that’s what Netflix has done.
We get some bloody fighting in the Chinese tournament, we introduce some trademark skirting characters whom I think are there for character development. Finally, we get some Baki his mad dad action… but it’s just an appetiser.
If you liked season 1, then my recommendation is to stick with The Great Raitai Tournament Saga as I’m sure it’s just setting the scene.
Status: Good.
Where: Netflix
Attack on Titan
Episodes 53 to 59
Hurrah! Attack on Titan is good enough; recovering from the most prolonged mid-story lull, I can remember.
Expect characters you like to die. A body count is precisely what Attack on Titan is supposed to be. Plot twists result in “oh shit” moments, precisely as Attack on Titan is supposed to do you.
Now, the trailer for season 4 looks good and that’s as well. The final episode is a bit of a damp squib. It alludes to Great Things to Come ™ but poorly. If it wasn’t four the season 4 trailer, which gives me a glimpse of what’s coming, I’d be disappointed.
Status: Good, again!
Where: Crunchyroll
That’s it for this Irregular Reconnaissance main scout report. If there are any suggestions you have, for successes or blunders, please let us know in the comments below.
