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Clockwork Planet ‒ Episode 5
"Things haven't really improved much for Clockwork Planet, but they haven't gotten demonstrably terrible either."
Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend Flat ‒ Episode 4
"The theme of this episode seems to be that absolutely everything has a double meaning."
Love Tyrant ‒ Episode 5
"The reckless absurdity that made the first few episodes of Love Tyrant so much fun returns in full force this week."
Tsukigakirei ‒ Episode 5
"Tsukigakirei stuck to its guns this week, offering twenty charming minutes of brief glances, awkward sighs, and tentative romance."
Sagrada Reset ‒ Episode 5
"This is not only an exceptionally boring plotline for the show, but a poorly presented one too."
Sakura Quest ‒ Episode 5
"This episode succeeds because it gives the girls of the Tourism Board something they've needed for a while now: a victory."
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 5
"Mitsuki's debut episode focuses more on Shino than the boy himself, but it makes sense for the show not to reveal everything about him right away."
Natsume Yūjin-Chō Roku ‒ Episode 4
"From beginning to end, this is a page-turner of a mystery, and the subtle hints it drops justify its status as a two-parter."
The Royal Tutor ‒ Episode 5
"After his notable absence from the first episodes, the God of War finally makes his entrance."
Akashic Records of Bastard Magical Instructor ‒ Episode 5
"The series has a very solid arc going right now, and I look forward to seeing more."
SukaSuka ‒ Episode 4
"While I'm starting to miss that initial feeling of mystery, SukaSuka is at least doing a reasonable job of broadening its fictional world."
Grimoire of Zero ‒ Episode 4
"How odd that Grimoire of Zero's least eventful episode to date would end up being one of its most endearing."
Yowamushi Pedal New Generation ‒ Episode 17
"It's another week of brewing tensions and rivalries before our teams hit the road."
Atom The Beginning ‒ Episode 3
"If Atom The Beginning can even out its storytelling, this episode shows us that there is real potential for its future."
Alice & Zoroku ‒ Episode 5
"This week, Alice & Zoroku wraps up its first major story arc with a full-blown action extravaganza."
One Piece ‒ Episode 786
"We're back to a one-chapter-per-episode pace, but even by those standards, there's way more in here than I'm used to seeing per episode."
Dragon Ball Super ‒ Episode 88
"Other than my own gripes as to how the Gohan stuff is handled, this episode works fairly well."
The Eccentric Family 2 ‒ Episode 4
"At last, the day of the great Tanuki Shogi Tournament has arrived!"
Eromanga Sensei ‒ Episode 4
"After a rocky start, the series pulls together for a solid finish to this arc."
Granblue Fantasy the Animation ‒ Episode 5
"It's fun, but if it ever wants to move beyond that, GranBlue Fantasy had better figure out how to make us worry that something isn't going to work out for its heroes."
Series Finale: Tales of Zestiria the X ‒ Episode 25
"Tales of Zestiria the X's finale isn't quite as epic as it could have been, but that doesn't stop it from ultimately being satisfying."
Attack on Titan ‒ Episode 30
"The relationship Ymir and Christa form is one of fascinating if not questionable codependence."
My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 18
"The calvary battle should be the most banal of all the sports festival games, but it's proving itself something mighty in this back half."
Re:CREATORS ‒ Episode 4
"Despite a total lack of action, there's a fair amount going on in the plot this week."
Berserk ‒ Episode 17
"When we have to cover X amount of monologue in Y lines per minute, no lovely intonation can save the episode from feeling rushed."
Sword Oratoria ‒ Episode 3
"Sword Oratoria is starting to make moves in the right direction, and hopefully Lefiya's confidence has been inspired to the point where we can shift the focus away from her worshipful crush on Aiz."
Rage of Bahamut: Virgin Soul ‒ Episode 4
Surprising love triangles begin to form after a series of revelations throw the series into new and unusually horny territory.
KADO - The Right Answer ‒ Episode 4
"Once again, this series goes out of its way to mix some moral dilemmas into the practical challenges that its characters face."
Love Tyrant ‒ Episode 4
"Maybe it's too early to be making harsh judgments, but the previously unstoppable comic pace of the series slows to a distinct crawl this week."
Clockwork Planet ‒ Episode 4
"The more Clockwork Planet delves into its own premise, the more questions I end up left with."
Tsukigakirei ‒ Episode 4
"I don't expect Tsukigakirei's CG character models to get any better, but I do hope the show stops assuming they're good enough to put front and center."
Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend Flat ‒ Episode 3
"Episode 3 comes much closer to being fully back in stride, finally regaining the spirit that made the first season entertaining."
Sakura Quest ‒ Episode 4
"This is Sakura Quest's first attempt at setting up a true multi-episode arc, but it hardly feels like just set-up."
Classic Streaming: Revolutionary Girl Utena ‒ Episode 3
"The rule going forward is question everything, which is a very fun rule to follow."
Sagrada Reset ‒ Episode 4
"This all could have been paced and plotted better, without so much chaff."
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 4
"The series ratchets up the silliness this week to deliver its strongest episode yet."
The Royal Tutor ‒ Episode 4
"It's field trip time on The Royal Tutor, as Heine takes his inconspicuously well-dressed students out to visit the capital."
Natsume Yūjin-Chō Roku ‒ Episode 3
"While I wouldn't want to see Natsume Yujin-Cho devolve wholly into horror, this episode did a great job breaking the routine to show that the series can still be full of surprises."
SukaSuka ‒ Episode 3
"SukaSuka is close to being a good series, but it will need to shed some of its genre baggage if it's going to tackle a more ambitious storyline."
Grimoire of Zero ‒ Episode 3
"It's only been a few weeks, and Grimoire of Zero already has me torn on how I feel about it."
Akashic Records of Bastard Magical Instructor ‒ Episode 4
"On the whole the fourth episode of Bastard Magic Instructor is still on a decided uptick from where the series started."
Yowamushi Pedal New Generation ‒ Episode 16
"Tensions are running understandably high in the hours before the Inter High begins, but when it comes to who's on top, looks can be deceiving."
Atom The Beginning ‒ Episode 2
"Atom The Beginning is still getting its feet on the ground, but with two weeks of spectacular battles, the series is definitely off to a promising start."
Alice & Zoroku ‒ Episode 4
"The information we're given regarding Sana's origin and the various organizations at play is compelling, but the episode starts to feel overloaded at times."
The Eccentric Family 2 ‒ Episode 3
"Everything that makes this show special was on display this week, from its dynamic cast to its gorgeous environments, fantastical set pieces, and firm emotional center."
One Piece ‒ Episode 785
"Things have been moving slow, but we're also about to get bombarded with significant character introductions over the next few episodes, so I haven't found this build-up suffocating."
Dragon Ball Super ‒ Episode 87
"This recruitment mini-arc before the Tournament of Power is asking a lot of its audience."
Granblue Fantasy the Animation ‒ Episode 4
"Rackam really is the star this week, with Gran, Lyria, and Katalina largely taking a backseat and following his orders."
Season Premiere: Rage of Bahamut: Virgin Soul ‒ Episodes 1-3
"This second season already feels stronger than the first, with a more involved story and the return of most fan-favorite characters."
Eromanga Sensei ‒ Episode 3
"After her introduction in the previous episode, Eromanga Sensei's third episode gives some formal focus to rival author Elf Yamada."
Berserk ‒ Episode 16
"For once, things seem to be looking up for Guts and his travelling party."
Attack on Titan ‒ Episode 29
"This isn't just the peak of this second season's commitment to doubling down on the horror, it's easily one the direst moments in the entire Attack on Titan franchise series thus far."
My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 17
"The U.A. sports festival rages on with the beginning of the cavalry battle."
Re:CREATORS ‒ Episode 3
"The animation for the brief fight scene at the beginning isn't the sharpest, but this series has so much going for it on a conceptual front that minor problems like this can be overlooked."
Sword Oratoria: Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? On the Side ‒ Episode 2
"Maybe I blocked it out, but I don't remember so much Loki-assaulting-Lefiya action in the original Sword Oratoria novels."
Series Premiere: KADO - The Right Answer ‒ Episodes 0-3
"Despite its methodical pacing and lack of a big emotional hook, KADO is thoughtfully written and carefully presented, with the potential to explore some really big ideas."
Series Premiere: Sagrada Reset ‒ Episodes 1-3
"The show has some serious problems (mostly on the production side), but there is more promise to its story than most of its mid-tier brethren."
Series Premiere: Love Tyrant ‒ Episodes 1-3
"It delivers its jokes extremely well, and while it has issues everywhere else in terms of writing, pacing, and design, none of that is enough to distract from enjoying those punchlines."
Series Premiere: Clockwork Planet ‒ Episodes 1-3
"It's definitely on the ugly side for anime, and it could stand to be more creative with its premise, but there's still potential here."
Season Premiere: Saekano Season 2 ‒ Episodes 0-2
"The “flat” in the season's title is a musical note reference, but unless the show picks up more, it could be an unfortunately accurate label in another sense."
Series Premiere: Tsukigakirei ‒ Episodes 1-3
"A charming, intimate, and solidly realized character drama."
Series Premiere: Sakura Quest ‒ Episodes 1-3
"It's really impressive how many little details are packed into every scene, helping the characters and their tiny world of a town feel real."
Classic Streaming: Revolutionary Girl Utena ‒ Episodes 1-2
"If you've ever felt lonely, misunderstood, or like the only broken person in a society you couldn't relate to, Utena is a story for you." Jacob Chapman kicks off this king-sized 20th anniversary retrospective!
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 3
"It makes sense that Next Generations would want to feature a stand-in for one of the franchise's most popular characters, but the end result is largely a watered-down version of Rock Lee."
Season Premiere: Natsume Yūjin-Chō Roku ‒ Episodes 1-2
"It's no longer Natsume against the world by a long shot, and his growing social circle paints yokai troubles in a new light."
Series Premiere: The Royal Tutor ‒ Episodes 1-3
"Heine's true comedic potential can shine when his deadpan attitude clashes with the princes' theatrics."
Series Premiere: "SukaSuka" ‒ Episodes 1-2
"There's an intriguing story to be found once you get past this light novel adaptation's triple-sentence title."
Series Premiere: Akashic Records of Bastard Magical Instructor ‒ Episodes 1-3
"An underwhelming first episode sets a bad impression, but the series improves enough over the next two episodes to be decent."
Series Premiere: Grimoire of Zero ‒ Episodes 1-2
"While the characters and the premise have a lot to offer, they're not clicking quite as well as I would have hoped."
Yowamushi Pedal New Generation ‒ Episode 15
"With Koga and Teshima's years-long feud resolved, the floodgates have opened on a slough of new conflicts for the characters of Yowamushi Pedal New Generation."
One Piece ‒ Episode 784
"The Whole Cake Island arc is off to a slow start, but for what it's worth, I'm having a really good time."
Season Premiere: The Eccentric Family 2 ‒ Episodes 1-2
"Like the first season, The Eccentric Family 2 seems deeply concerned with identity and how we place ourselves within larger societies."
Series Premiere: Alice & Zoroku ‒ Episodes 1-3
"Personality-wise, the titular “Alice” is a character we've all seen before, but the chemistry she shares with the no-nonsense Zoroku is the most entertaining part of the show so far."
Series Premiere: Atom The Beginning
Astro Boy's pre-history is rendered in adorable pastels, with likable pacing and a big cast of characters - but do you need to know Astro Boy before diving in?
Dragon Ball Super ‒ Episode 86
"This is going to be an episode that people will point to as one of the visual highlights of the series."
Series Premiere: Eromanga Sensei ‒ Episodes 1-2
He's a popular light novel author whose books are illustrated by a talented but enigmatic artist - who turns out to be his own little sister.
Series Premiere: Granblue Fantasy the Animation ‒ Episodes 1-3
"In terms of character relationships, GranBlue Fantasy has mastered showing rather than telling."
Series Premiere: Re:CREATORS ‒ Episodes 1-2
"This series looks like a guaranteed hit, acting as otaku catnip while featuring a lot of creativity, substance, and story potential."
Attack on Titan ‒ Episode 28
"All of episode 28 is bathed in an inky cloak of Gothic dread, which feels both refreshing and entirely appropriate for where the series has gone."
My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 16
"We're still in the early stages of the sports festival, but we've gotten at least one really good emotional high out of it so far, so I'd say we're not off to a bad start."
Berserk ‒ Episode 15
"Despite some odd off-model shots of Griffith, the lack of facial expressions in the animation isn't actually doing his character much disservice at this point."
Series Premiere: Sword Oratoria ‒ Episode 1
"For a first episode, this does a good job of getting us into the story's world, though not its ostensible protagonist."
Season Finale: Bakemonogatari ‒ Episodes 13-15
"This final arc of the season centers on the two characters who first brought this story to life."
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 2
"This week's Boruto introduces viewers to a number of supporting characters and gives us an extended look at the titular character's school life."
Yowamushi Pedal New Generation ‒ Episode 14
"Teshima, the ordinary man of the Sohoku cycling club, is exactly the hero Yowamushi Pedal deserves."
Season Premiere: Berserk ‒ Episodes 13-14
"Griffith's return to the physical world provided a powerful cliffhanger ending to Berserk 2016, and the question of what his reborn self would be like looms heavily over the new season."
One Piece ‒ Episode 783
"I'm a real big fan of this arc, and I'm just excited to experience it all over again."
Dragon Ball Super ‒ Episode 85
"Our heroes only have forty hours to put their team together, but Goku sure seems to be taking his time."
Attack on Titan ‒ Episode 27
"Offering these small touching victories makes the war feel worth fighting. Humanity may be perpetually at the brink of extinction, but we need to see that life does go on."
My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 15
"My Hero Academia is setting up a very cool story, where we're getting ready to see the various students and their emotional problems intersect and cross paths."
Season Finale: Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid ‒ Episode 13
"This finale nicely pulls together all the show's strengths to give us its final message – that life is better when you share it with someone else."
Bakemonogatari ‒ Episode 12
"Bakemonogatari's twelfth episode rudely interrupts Hanekawa's arc, centering us back on the relationship between Senjougahara and Araragi."
Series Premiere — Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
"From the outset, it's clear that this sequel series intends to play the long game, though it's far too early to say whether it will have the staying power of its predecessor."
Series Finale: Scum's Wish ‒ Episodes 11-12
"Even if the road to this finale was rocky at times, I came away from Scum's Wish feeling incredibly refreshed."
Yowamushi Pedal New Generation ‒ Episode 13
"Kaburagi is arrogant, obsessed with winning, and secretly insecure—the perfect first-year for Naruko and Imaizumi to target with their good-natured hazing."
Series Finale: Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans ‒ Episode 50
"By staying true to its Gundam pedigree, this conclusion is a thoroughly closed book that doesn't demand anything else."
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