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This Art Club Has a Problem! ‒ Episode 4
"This Art Club Has a Problem! seems to have settled into a comfortable pattern of three themed segments."
Naruto Shippuden ‒ Episode 469
"Taken on its own, this week's episode is sure to delight fans of Naruto's increasingly scarce lighter side."
planetarian ‒ Episode 4
"This was another solid episode of Planetarian, its thematic bite only somewhat softened by the show's consistently mediocre visual execution."
Twin Star Exorcists ‒ Episode 16
"Mayura Otomi might just be Twin Star Exorcists's secret MVP."
Cheer Boys!! ‒ Episode 4
"Production values and visual direction continue to suffer in this episode, but the characters' growing trust and closeness adds depth to the show."
Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School: Future Arc ‒ Episode 3
"With no class trial system to give new deaths context, we'll have to log each one away as just another clue in a much longer game."
Taboo Tattoo ‒ Episode 4
"This week, Taboo Tattoo tries to be an action series, a horror series, a comedy, a drama, and a romance all at once, and the result is honestly kind of a mess."
Sweetness & Lightning ‒ Episode 4
"While episode 4 still has its share of tender moments, it contains quite a bit more comedy than its predecessors."
New Game! ‒ Episode 4
"Some formulaic but effective humor, a bit of character development, and a couple moments of fanservice just to make sure the audience is still paying attention."
D.Gray-man Hallow ‒ Episode 4
"Where episodes 1-3 covered an average of 6.3 manga chapters per episode, we're down to 4 chapters this week, resulting in enough time to let the nicely crafted symmetries sink in."
Mob Psycho 100 ‒ Episode 3
"This episode was a cutting exploration of peer pressure and adolescent anxiety that did tremendous work in further establishing Mob as an excellent protagonist."
The Morose Mononokean ‒ Episode 4
"It's good to see The Morose Mononokean proving it's more than a one-trick pony."
Tales of Zestiria the X ‒ Episode 4
"If Tales of Zestiria the X hadn't hooked you fully before, this is the episode that cements it as a fantasy worth paying attention to."
The Heroic Legend of Arslan: Dust Storm Dance ‒ Episode 4
"The Heroic Legend of Arslan improved this week by indulging in a rare fun detour."
Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School: Despair Arc ‒ Episode 2
"Danganronpa always likes to prove that you can even pick the lowest-hanging fruit in a creative way."
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- ‒ Episode 17
"As much as I love what the series has been doing lately, it's about time for Subaru to catch a break."
Orange ‒ Episode 4
"While Naho passes her days in an insecure daydream, her potential high school life is passing her by."
DAYS ‒ Episode 4
"This story does a better job than most of portraying a world where everyone actually is against the main character, at least at first."
Rewrite ‒ Episode 4
"The transition to stories focusing on each individual girl has begun, and Shizuru is up first."
Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School: Future Arc - Episodes 1-2
"Its production values may be less than exciting, but D3 starts off just as engrossing as its predecessors, at a much faster pace."
Love Live! Sunshine!! ‒ Episode 4
"It's a delicate balance between using μ's as a source of inspiration versus just a narrative crutch, and we can't be entirely surprised that Sunshine!! is having a hard time letting go of its safety net."
Food Wars! The Second Plate ‒ Episode 4
"Subaru's culinary style is hardly the kind of cooking most of the Totsuki students are here for."
Handa-kun ‒ Episode 3
"At this point, Handa-kun seems to have found a good balance of personalities within its main cast."
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable ‒ Episode 17
"This is a modest episode, but the show is clearly gearing up for something very significant on the horizon."
91 Days ‒ Episode 3
"Like Avilio's revenge, this show looks like a slow but oh-so-satisfying burn."
Alderamin on the Sky ‒ Episode 3
"This whole episode is pretty much the Ikta Show."
Thunderbolt Fantasy ‒ Episode 3
"Thunderbolt Fantasy continues to be an exquisitely executed pile of clichés."
Amanchu! ‒ Episode 3
"After an emotionally resonant first half, the latter part of episode 3 is almost like an instructional video for first-time divers, with humorous commentary courtesy of Pikari."
Battery the Animation ‒ Episode 2
"Slowly, Takumi is opening himself up to truly enjoying his calling as an athlete."
This Art Club Has a Problem! ‒ Episode 3
"None of the storylines within the episode are laugh-out-loud funny, but they are worth a chuckle, which nicely layers over the sweeter aspects of the show."
planetarian ‒ Episode 3
"Overall, Planetarian continues to tell a small but poignant story with understated grace."
Naruto Shippuden ‒ Episode 468
"This week's Naruto Shippūden brings Ashura and Indra's story to a satisfying (albeit rushed) conclusion."
Twin Star Exorcists ‒ Episode 15
"This week, TSE shines the spotlight on Ryogo once again and tries to course-correct its lackluster character and worldbuilding. For the most part, it does a pretty good job."
Cheer Boys!! ‒ Episode 3
"The storytelling of Cheer Boys!!, complete with satisfying character development and a well-paced plot, is the heart of the show."
One Piece ‒ Episode 750
"It's not mind blowing or anything, but considering how benign and underwhelming the last three episodes have been, this Silver Mine Arc finale manages to offer some interesting things to talk about."
New Game! ‒ Episode 3
"This should be an encouraging sign for anyone who came into New Game hoping that the show would include some musings on the creative process."
Mob Psycho 100 - Episodes 1-2
"Mob Psycho 100 brings Mob and Reigen's feelings to life through dynamic layouts elevating crass, funny, and occasionally heartfelt material."
Sweetness & Lightning - Episodes 1-3
"This story of an unconventional family brought together by cooking hits all the right emotional notes without veering into “overly sappy” territory."
D.Gray-man Hallow - Episodes 1-3
"Hallow will have to fit the content of at least 40 manga chapters into 13 episodes. Saying this is going to be a challenge is putting it mildly."
Taboo Tattoo - Episodes 1-3
"Based on these first few episodes, Taboo Tattoo wants little more than to be a perfectly functional, by-the-numbers shonen action series."
Tales of Zestiria the X - Episodes 1-3
"All in all, this is a slightly slow but still interesting start to what looks to be an epic fantasy adventure."
The Morose Mononokean - Episodes 1-3
"Manages to find the perfect sweet spot between comedy and healing anime, so it feels like something new despite being made of the sum of many derivative parts."
The Heroic Legend of Arslan: Dust Storm Dance - Episodes 1-3
"Whether it's production problems or sloppy character writing and plotting, The Heroic Legend of Arslan doesn't get the tender loving care it deserves."
DAYS - Episodes 1-3
"It's the story of an underdog, and everyone loves an underdog. Tsukushi might never amount to a soccer champ, but he wins everyone over one at a time."
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- ‒ Episode 16
"Too often in stories like this, the protagonists can get away with a lot simply because they're the protagonists, but Re:Zero isn't cutting Subaru any slack."
Orange - Episodes 1-3
"So far, Orange is offering a rich bounty of endearing character moments while consistently hinting at poignant and universal themes about growing up and looking back on our past selves."
Ace Attorney ‒ Episode 15
Lauren closes out her coverage of the Ace Attorney anime with a sum-up of how this low-quality production failed to deliver on the promise of its original material.
Berserk - Episodes 1-3
"Miura's compelling story and captivating world still shine as one-of-a-kind flights of dark imagination with poignant characterization, even as they struggle under such a lackluster production."
Rewrite - Episodes 1-3
"At this point, the series is throwing out just enough hooks and effective humor to sustain interest, though it still suffers from an uninspired feel."
Love Live Sunshine!! - Episodes 1-3
"With a soundtrack worthy of the original and improved dance animation, this new Love Live! creates an atmosphere where it's easy to get pulled into the communal dream of seeing the girls shine."
Thunderbolt Fantasy - Episodes 1-2
"A camp action fest that combines stunning practical effects with modern film techniques into a whirlwind of operatic artistry."
Food Wars! The Second Plate ‒ Episode 3
"Food Wars! The Second Plate is off to a mildly shaky start in terms of giving everyone their due, but it can still really play with your emotions while making you awfully hungry."
91 Days - Episodes 1-2
"These first two episodes amount to a pretty great first 20 minutes of a gangster movie."
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable ‒ Episode 16
"We don't see Jotaro and Josuke problem-solving together often, but it seems like a natural fit."
Handa-kun - Episodes 1-2
"It's a big departure from Barakamon, but there's no reason Handa-kun can't stand perfectly well on its own."
Alderamin on the Sky - Episodes 1-2
"Conventional but well-executed artistry combines with uneven but full-of-potential storytelling to make a series with promising prospects going forward."
Amanchu! - Episodes 1-2
"Like the various incarnations of Tamayura and ARIA, Amanchu! manages to maintain a relaxed pace and all-around soothing atmosphere without ever feeling padded, drawn-out, or just plain boring."
Battery the Animation - Episode 1
"Out of all the fujoshi sports shows we're getting this season, Battery looks like both the chilliest and most appropriate for younger audiences."
planetarian - Episodes 1-2
"You may have seen some sad robots before, but this is a sad robot to look out for. Planetarian is a small story told with care."
Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School: Despair Arc
"This prequel's premiere episode overflows with affectionate fanservice, wildly irreverent humor, and ten times more foreshadowing than its happy-go-lucky tone suggests."
This Art Club Has a Problem! - Episodes 1-2
"It may never become more than a light comedy, but that doesn't mean This Art Club Has a Problem! won't pay attention to its characters, which builds its potential."
Twin Star Exorcists ‒ Episode 14
"Leave it to Twin Star Exorcists to save some of its best material for the episode that should have been its most disposable."
Cheer Boys!! - Episodes 1-2
"Cheer Boys!! is an irresistible watch that plays fast and loose with the circumstances of the sports anime genre while staying true to its core values."
One Piece ‒ Episode 749
"There's nothing especially bad about the Silver Mine arc thus far, but there certainly isn't much good either."
New Game! - Episodes 1-2
"These episodes offer an entertaining escape into a world where developing a video game isn't all that stressful, and it's possible for every single person in the office to be a friendly and attractive anime girl."
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- ‒ Episode 15
"The result is an episode as dark and intense as anything seen so far that once again raises some fresh new questions with long-term plot implications."
Food Wars! The Second Plate ‒ Episode 2
"The best part of this episode is that it showcases how Megumi has grown as a character."
Ace Attorney ‒ Episode 14
"There's a lot to look forward to next week, but this week was just average, setting up the barest minimum of pieces to help us process the fascinating trial still to come."
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable ‒ Episode 15
"Between the new opening, the story of Josuke's childhood, and the all around energy of this sandbox of relationships, I've got a real soft spot growing in my heart for this series."
Naruto Shippuden ‒ Episode 467
"Although Ashura and Indra's epic battle has yet to begin, seeing how each son tackles the challenge issued by their father is fairly entertaining, if entirely predictable."
Twin Star Exorcists ‒ Episode 13
"This episode certainly wasn't perfect in its execution, but it contained enough suspense and genuine emotion to keep with the general bar of quality I've come to expect from the show."
One Piece ‒ Episode 748
"Overall, the Silver Mine arc is looking to be as mild of a filler experience as they come."
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- ‒ Episode 14
"As much as I hate to put it this way, this series is at its very best when its content is at its ugliest, and this episode is at least as ugly as episode 7."
Series Finale: Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto ‒ Episode 12
"It's been a wild ride, but the time has come to bid farewell to everyone's favorite teenage man-god."
Season Finale: Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress ‒ Episode 12
"Studio Wit must have absolutely killed themselves to complete this jaw-dropping season finale. It's a staggering aesthetic achievement for any fan of glorious spectacle."
Food Wars! The Second Plate
"Fire up the grill - Food Wars! is back in top form."
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable ‒ Episode 14
"Between the Italian restaurant episode and and this manga artist episode, these one-off scenarios have been finding more interesting hooks."
Season Finale: Shōnen Maid ‒ Episode 12
"Despite everything it did right, the show rarely rose above “good” or “pleasant,” although that was probably what it was going for."
Series Finale: Assassination Classroom season 2 ‒ Episode 25
"The series has been hit-or-miss at times, but it's much easier to forgive a show's mistakes when it ends on a strong note."
Naruto Shippuden ‒ Episode 466
"The anime-original story elements introduced thus far have done a decent job of fleshing out the Otsutsuki family's history."
Season Finale: Joker Game ‒ Episode 12
"Here at the end, Joker Game's disinterest and dismissal of human emotion seems like the show's biggest failing."
One Piece ‒ Episode 747
"So far the Silver Mine arc seems to be playing out as a greatest hits of One Piece's more memorable filler arcs."
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- ‒ Episode 13
"Subaru has dug himself a hole, and watching him struggle to get out of it should be fun."
Season Finale: Sailor Moon Crystal: Season III ‒ Episode 39
"Sailor Moon Crystal was still far from perfect as this episode shows, but it feels like it's moving in the right direction."
Season Finale: My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 13
"If a second season hadn't already been confirmed, then I'd say this is a pretty disappointing way to end an otherwise exceptional series."
Season Finale: Flying Witch ‒ Episodes 11-12
"Flying Witch concluded with a pair of episodes that demonstrated the show at its most magical, at its most mundane, and at its most comfortable."
Season Finale: High School Fleet ‒ Episode 12
"It feels like the show is throwing everything it has at this last episode, and the results are certainly exciting to watch."
Season Finale: Tanaka-kun is Always Listless ‒ Episode 12
"For now, we must wave goodbye as Ohta carries Tanaka's limp body off into the sunset."
Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto ‒ Episode 11
"The intentionally ill-defined Fukase's devious machinations help raise the stakes as Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto heads into its endgame."
Shōnen Maid ‒ Episode 11
"Episode 11 is needlessly slow in certain spots, and its first half has a meandering feel."
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable ‒ Episode 13
"JoJo's Bizarre Adventure doesn't delve into real earnest stories about families and relationships that often, but it shows quite a bit of savvy when it does."
Season Finale: Kiznaiver (Episode 12)
"I had a fine time with Kiznaiver, and am eager to see what's next for its very talented director."
Ace Attorney ‒ Episode 13
"This week, Ace Attorney showed its sweet side with a story about Phoenix, Miles, and Larry's childhood friendship."
Series Finale: Ushio & Tora ‒ Episode 39
"This was a pitch-perfect shounen adaptation that will be sure to draw fans for years to come."
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress ‒ Episode 11
"As always, Kabaneri is an exercise in contradictory extremes, as the cleverest writing moment in the show gets undercut by rushed, bombastic execution."
Assassination Classroom season 2 ‒ Episode 24
"This penultimate episode foregoes the usual big final action scene in favor of a calmer, more emotionally nuanced resolution."
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