Episode Review
— Archives —
- All
- •
- Anime
- Manga
- Novels
- Games
- Music
- Merch
- Events
- Industry
- People
- Live-Action
Text-only Compact View
Text-only List View
Text-only Grid View
List View with Images
Grid View with Images
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash ‒ Episode 5
"Knowing that someone is dead is one thing. Coming to realize it, to truly understand it, is another."
Utawarerumono: The False Faces ‒ Episode 18
"Like all the episodes before it, this installment of U2warerumono does a pretty poor job of detailing how Haku feels about much of anything."
Luck & Logic ‒ Episode 5
"The human equivalent of Luck & Logic would be an attractive face who can't express an original thought to save their life."
Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū ‒ Episode 5
"While it's not for everyone, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju easily continues to be the most challenging anime of the year so far."
Haikyu!! Second Season ‒ Episode 18
"It wasn't a stretch of the imagination to think that this week's episode of Haikyu!! would be a tense one."
GATE ‒ Episode 17
"GATE excels here because it successfully generates a heavy degree of tension despite the viewer being reasonably sure that none of the main characters are going to buy the farm."
Dagashi Kashi ‒ Episode 5
Dagashi Kashi pulled off another solid episode this week, and at this point seems to have largely figured out its own comic rhythm.
Lupin the Third (TV 2015) ‒ Episode 18
"This episode feels like the beginning of the series' grand finale."
Naruto Shippuden ‒ Episode 447
"Yet another entertaining story arc and iconic villain have fallen victim to the whims of a terrible (and apparently clairvoyant) author."
One Piece ‒ Episode 728
"Fourth Gear lovers rejoice as the action picks back up with our new Bounceman Luffy continuing to wale on Doflamingo as the two trade blows and flex their Devil Fruit-y muscles."
Assassination Classroom season 2 ‒ Episode 5
"This series is good enough that I'd like to see it take a few more risks, which is why I'm hoping we'll see more of Asano this season."
Girls Beyond the Wasteland ‒ Episode 5
"I can't rule out the possibility of Girls Beyond the Wasteland climbing back up into something watchable, but it's dug itself a pretty steep pit."
ERASED ‒ Episode 5
"ERASED took an unfortunate step down this week, in an outsourced episode that demonstrated few of the show's great strengths and all of its weaknesses."
Haruchika – Haruta & Chika ‒ Episode 5
"Most of HaruChika's mysteries deal with depressing personal issues like grief, but I think this episode feels not only darker, but also more resonant."
Active Raid ‒ Episode 5
"As usual, Active Raid's actual episodic narrative was far less engaging than the slowly accumulating details of character and worldbuilding."
Gintama ‒ Episode 308
"The Shogun Assassination Arc truly was a point of no return."
Prince of Stride: Alternative ‒ Episode 5
"Without the action, tension, and fluid animation of actual Stride matches, there's not much to see, which left this episode lacking."
Durarara!! ×2 The Third Arc ‒ Episode 4
"It feels like the climax is coming together like never before, incorporating every character and subplot in creative ways to seal Ikebukuro's last story."
Mr. Osomatsu ‒ Episode 17
"All of episode 17's skits share a common theme: fan-favorite space-case Jyushimatsu."
Utawarerumono: The False Faces ‒ Episodes 16-17
"We get the full Haku origin story, and boy is it a doozy!"
Snow White with the Red Hair ‒ Episode 16
"Things are certainly heating up, both emotionally and in terms of the plot...although this episode doesn't always do the best job of showing that."
Dimension W ‒ Episode 4
"As with all mysteries, I can't really judge the story's success until the end, but this first part is suspenseful and entertaining at least."
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans ‒ Episode 17
"There haven't been enough Gundam battles lately and now that we're back in space, I hope this wild choreography becomes our new normal."
Schwarzes Marken ‒ Episode 4
"While Lise's arrival and reconnecting with Theodor is the early feature, the combined mecha/naval fleet action actually forms the bulk of the episode."
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash ‒ Episode 4
"Grimgar had lulled us into a false sense of security (albeit one with some niggling doubts), but things are going to have to start moving from this point on."
Haikyu!! Second Season ‒ Episode 17
"One of the more satisfying episodes, allowing two second-tier characters to come to the fore."
Luck & Logic ‒ Episode 4
"This plot has the depth and complexity of an after-school special, and looking pretty isn't enough to save it."
BBK/BRNK ‒ Episode 4
"Each episode of this series has featured flashes of brilliance, but it continues to struggle with turning that potential into a strong finished product."
Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū ‒ Episode 4
"It's a slower episode than usual, but Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū continues to be a strong production."
Heavy Object ‒ Episode 16
"The team's return to Alaska has proven to be one of Heavy Object's stronger story arcs thus far, which is an encouraging sign for the remainder of the season."
Dagashi Kashi ‒ Episode 4
"Dagashi Kashi pulled off its most consistently funny episode by far this week, featuring two half-episode stories that were each more compelling than almost any of its prior material."
GATE ‒ Episode 16
"With so much going on and interacting so neatly, the faults are few."
Lupin the Third (TV 2015) ‒ Episode 17
"This series in general has excelled in never letting audiences get bored, but this is one of the most fast-paced, eyes-glued-to-the-screen segments so far."
Girls Beyond the Wasteland ‒ Episode 4
"Four episodes in, Girls Beyond the Wasteland has yet to show me what it has to offer."
Assassination Classroom ‒ Episode 26
"The journey from idea to disastrous result in the episode's first half is entertaining enough on its own."
Naruto Shippuden ‒ Episode 446
"This re-imagining of events is laughable instead of memorable, shallow instead of moving."
ERASED ‒ Episode 4
"The problem with Satoru is that even as an adult, he wasn't an adult."
Haruchika – Haruta & Chika ‒ Episode 4
"It's encouraging that HaruChika is willing to dispense with the formula to try out new plots related to other characters already in the band."
Active Raid ‒ Episode 4
"Sena and Kuroki's conflict is already well-established, and the actual episodic conflict here wasn't particularly exciting, so there just wasn't too much to hold onto."
KonoSuba – God's blessing on this wonderful world!! ‒ Episode 3
"While the episode does still have a fair amount of humor, it is nowhere near the laugh-fest that episode 2 was."
Myriad Colors Phantom World ‒ Episode 4
"It took four episodes, but Phantom World finally got a story worthy of its pretty artistry."
Gintama ‒ Episode 307
"Another epic-looking arc is beginning next week, marking the first time Gintama has immediately jumped from one serious arc to another."
Durarara!! ×2 The Third Arc - Episodes 1-3
"At long last, it's the beginning of the end for Durarara!!"
Prince of Stride: Alternative ‒ Episode 4
"This episode saw Ayumu face his demons head on, to mixed results."
Mr. Osomatsu ‒ Episode 16
"Episode 16's first story is one of the funniest Fist of the North Star/Mad Max parodies I've ever seen."
Snow White with the Red Hair ‒ Episode 15
"Things are clearly heating up, and I feel like these first three episodes have been trying to get us to the real jumping off point for this season's main plot."
Schwarzes Marken ‒ Episode 3
"The meat of this episode is the story, and at least one half of it shines."
One Piece ‒ Episode 727
"After an awesome fight episode between Fourth Gear Luffy and Doflamingo, I'm more-or-less done with any of the citizens of Dressrosa stuff."
Dimension W ‒ Episode 3
"After two episodes of intense plot setup, it's nice to get some downtime with our main characters."
BBK/BRNK ‒ Episode 3
"After two weeks of big battle scenes, BBK/BRNK has finally settled down enough to give us a more detailed picture of what's going on."
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans ‒ Episode 16
"From the slum dwellers to the demonstrators to the people in power, everyone has a horse in this race, and this episode is sure to inform their upcoming decisions."
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash ‒ Episode 3
"Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash is a slow burn, but if it's still holding your interest, I feel like we're going to be rewarded."
Luck & Logic ‒ Episode 3
"This entire plot was a misstep for me. What's working for me, however, is the growing character development."
Haikyu!! Second Season ‒ Episode 16
"You know those episode endings that just make your jaw drop a little as you whisper “oh hell” under your breath? This would be one of those."
Dagashi Kashi ‒ Episode 3
"Dagashi Kashi isn't funny enough to survive as a comedy, but it could certainly work as a slice of life if it continues to treat its characters like people."
Heavy Object ‒ Episode 15
"All things considered, the show's return to its first location is looking like a successful one for now."
Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū ‒ Episode 3
"I'm a big fan of the pacing so far – the extended flashback structure allows me to enjoy the momentary story beats while also predicting how they could build up to the first episode."
GATE ‒ Episode 15
For much of the series Tuka has been mere eye candy, the pretty elf girl who's usually around but doesn't actually do much. Episode 15 finally brings her to the forefront.
Lupin the Third (TV 2015)
"After months of waiting, the new Lupin III: Part IV anime (otherwise known as "Blue Jacket") has finally arrived on American shores."
Assassination Classroom ‒ Episode 25
"Of Assassination Classroom's various attempts at depicting a serious conflict, this is one of the show's better efforts."
Naruto Shippuden ‒ Episode 445
"With no conceivable end in sight, Jiraiya's Ninja Scrolls keeps chugging along at a punishingly slow pace."
Girls Beyond the Wasteland ‒ Episode 3
"Now that the team has been formed, aspiring visual novel producer Sayuki Kuroda is going to teach her crew how to actually make a game."
ERASED ‒ Episode 3
"As a traditional thriller, ERASED certainly knows how to build its dramatic hooks into the fundamental elements of its storytelling."
Haruchika – Episodes 1-3
"The show's production values are disappointing, but luckily, there's also a lot to love here."
Myriad Colors Phantom World - Episodes 1-3
"I have to give Phantom World some credit for trying to play against expectations and function at least a little out of the standard mold, but it still lacks the spark to stand out."
Active Raid ‒ Episode 3
"Active Raid continues to be a fairly strange mix of pieces and tones, gyrating wildly between scifi anime silliness and workplace drama, never quite sure exactly what show it wants to be."
KonoSuba Episodes 1-2
"KonoSuba is brilliant at doing exactly what it's doing right now: poking fun at both its base concept and all of eccentricities that commonly get associated with it."
Gintama ‒ Episode 306
"Even at this late stage, I'm amazed by how seamlessly this nutty series is able to slip into serious mode."
Prince of Stride: Alternative - Episodes 1-3
"Prince of Stride seems to know that it's already about an impossible sport, so why not tell its story through increasingly unlikely events?"
Mr. Osomatsu ‒ Episode 15
"This week's Mr. Osomatsu has something for everyone."
Luck & Logic - Episodes 1-2
"Luck & Logic has something for everyone, but risks pandemonium by tossing all these elements into just one anime."
One Piece ‒ Episode 726
"One Piece 726 is the kind of episode I would have recorded off of TV as a kid so I could watch it again and again until the tape broke."
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash
"Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash is clearly not going to be quick with the reveals or particularly speedy with the plot, and actually that's okay."
Snow White with the Red Hair ‒ Episodes 13 & 14
"It isn't easy to make a second season live up to the high expectations of the first, and the first of the two new episodes of Snow White with the Red Hair doesn't quite pull it off."
Dimension W
"If you're fond of its more classic sensibility, Dimension W is one of the most exciting new shows this season."
Schwarzes Marken episodes 1-2
"Although Schwarzes Marken is unquestionably a sensationalist work, its second episode does reinforce that it is going to cleave close to actual history."
Utawarerumono: The False Faces ‒ Episodes 14-15
"It's time for another double-decker of U2warerumono episodes, along with another king-size game of Good News and Bad News!"
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans ‒ Episode 15
"Everything is happening very quickly, but I can't help but feel that some of it felt rather forced."
BBK/BRNK - Episodes 1-2
"No matter how hard you try to focus on the story, the CG character models are the first things that stand out in BBK/BRNK."
Garo: Crimson Moon ‒ Episode 13
Our coverage of Garo: Crimson Moon ends here, as Gabriella Ekens sorts out what went wrong along the way.
Haikyu!! Second Season ‒ Episode 15
"Of course, this wouldn't be an episode of Haikyu!! without both humor and renewed determination."
Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū - Episodes 1-2
"This is a story about people, told through their relationships to rakugo, and every performance has had character significance so far."
Heavy Object ‒ Episode 14
"While there isn't any big engineering puzzle for Qwenthur to think his way out of this time, there are enough simple but clever tricks to meet the show's “smart action” quota."
Dagashi Kashi Episodes 1-2
"So as far as silly slice of life comedies go, it feels like there are a few distinct appeals Dagashi Kashi has going for it."
GATE ‒ Episode 14
"The dramatic onslaught of the earthquake at the end of last episode promised big events this episode, and boy, do they happen!"
Girls Beyond the Wasteland ‒ Episodes 1-2
"If it keeps moving along steadily, Girls Beyond the Wasteland could end up being pleasant but unassuming entertainment."
Assassination Classroom ‒ Episode 24
"If there were any lingering concerns about whether Assassination Classroom still had original plans to kill Koro Sensei up its sleeve, this episode should put those worries to rest."
ERASED Episodes 1-2
"There is a whole lot worth talking about when it comes to ERASED."
Naruto Shippuden ‒ Episode 444
"This week's Naruto Shippūden serves as proof that absence does not always make the heart grow fonder."
Active Raid ‒ Episodes 1-2
"I actually like Active Raid's incidental, disjointed approach to worldbuilding, and generally prefer to pick up expository information at the pace that it becomes relevant to the characters."
Gintama ‒ Episode 305
"Episode 305 features what is arguably the show's biggest revelation to date."
Mr. Osomatsu ‒ Episode 14
"Episode 14 proves that Mr. Osomatsu doesn't need out-of-this-world settings to be out-of-this-world funny."
One Piece ‒ Episode 725
"This episode is the beginning of something big. So big, in fact, that it teases its surprise in the background of the episode title card."
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans ‒ Episode 14
"It's a lot of setup with no payoff just yet, so we're left hanging, wondering how they'll get out of this one."
Haikyu!! Second Season ‒ Episode 14
"Have you been missing Oikawa? If so, then this is a decent episode for you, as it has more of Aoba Joshi's main man than we've seen since the start of the season."
Garo: Crimson Moon ‒ Episode 12
"After a two week hiatus, we return to face Garo: Crimson Moon's first major cliffhanger."
For all articles, see the archives