Dustin Cabeal 1/26/17 Dustin Cabeal 1/26/17

Review: Youjo Senki E.01

By Dustin Cabeal

There’s a much longer conversation to have about Japanese animation and its enjoyment of using World War II German in stories. That place isn’t here, but I don’t personally like when stories create alternate worlds in which World War II Germany isn’t the bad guy. I don’t buy it. I don’t care if it’s a story and fantasy and whatever excuse that you want to make to justify it to yourself, but for me, it’s dangerous and irresponsible. Don’t rewrite the history books for the sake of fantasy.

Dustin Cabeal 1/26/17 Dustin Cabeal 1/26/17

Review: Fuuka E.04

By Dustin Cabeal

Yeah, I’m done reviewing this show. This episode’s pacing is deliberately slow. It lingers to the point of being annoying, and it’s all to build the love triangle. Which spoiler, doesn’t fucking matter in the end. The love triangle is a façade, and so it’s even more perplexing that they’re focusing on it so much. Unless they plan to ignore the biggest event of the series, which if they do will ruin the point of the show.

Shanel Kamara 1/23/17 Shanel Kamara 1/23/17

Review: Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Sukeroku Futatabi E.03

By Shanel Kamara

Before I delve into the review of this week’s episode of Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu, I would advise anyone who has not watched the previous season or the last two episodes, to watch them. This review will not contain any real spoilers, but in order to grasp what is going on, you need some knowledge of who the characters are and how they relate to one another. For instance, even though Yotarou is married to Konatsu, he insists on calling her “sis.” They are, in no way, related to one another. Moreover, they are not childhood friends. I could go into a lot of detail about how these two met and so forth, but I will leave it to anyone who is interested in catching up by watching previous episodes.

Robert Ramos 1/20/17 Robert Ramos 1/20/17

Review: Gintama. (2017) E.01 & 02

By Robert Ramos

Going into this new season* of Gintama, I never had any intention of writing reviews for it. As it is, I’m sure you guys are sick and tired of me mentioning it all the time, too. Well, after watching the recent two episodes, I felt inspired and just had to share with you guys, once more, the joy that is Gintama.

Dustin Cabeal 1/20/17 Dustin Cabeal 1/20/17

Review: KonoSuba 2! E.02

By Dustin Cabeal

While I enjoyed the first episode, it was not without its share of problems. Most of those problems are back with the second episode, but the show is feeling more like it’s old self now.

Dustin Cabeal 1/20/17 Dustin Cabeal 1/20/17

Review: Akiba’s Trip: The Animation E.02 & 03

By Dustin Cabeal

I’ll say one thing about this anime season; there’s a lot of shows I want to check out and by the time I review an episode I seem to already be behind on reviewing the next one. We’re doubling up again today, but this show is getting two scores at the bottom because I have complex feelings about things.

Dustin Cabeal 1/20/17 Dustin Cabeal 1/20/17

Review: Masamune-kun no Revenge E.01 & 02

By Dustin Cabeal

I gave this show a shot, and I wish I hadn’t. There were two shows that I was already familiar with from the manga counterpart. The first was Fuuka which has been disappointing and this, Masamune-kun no Revenge which at least wasn’t surprisingly disappointing.

Dustin Cabeal 1/19/17 Dustin Cabeal 1/19/17

Review: Hand Shakers E.01

By Dustin Cabeal

The title alone was enough to make wonder if I should bother watching this anime. I mean “Hand Shakers” … it’s not that the concept of hand holding is lost on me. For the record, “Hand Holders” is an accurate title for this anime. I was once young and appreciated the intimacy of holding hands. It’s something that is lost on you as you get older and have more, wait for it, hands on time with the activity. Still, I can see how teenagers desperate for affection and unable to just push their tongues against each other would give a crap about holding hands. Not me, but the youth, right? A random stranger could come up and hold my hand right now, and I would give zero fucks… until my germaphobia kicked in and I scrubbed my hand the rest of the day.

Dustin Cabeal 1/19/17 Dustin Cabeal 1/19/17

Review: Interviews With Monster Girls E.02

By Dustin Cabeal

This series got a bit better with this episode, but it also confirmed my fears about the show. It’s a harem comedy for sure, but the concerning issue is that it’s about an older male teacher and three students. That’s probably the one thing I don’t like about it, the romantic aspect.

Dustin Cabeal 1/19/17 Dustin Cabeal 1/19/17

Review: Fuuka E.03

By Dustin Cabeal

I’ll stick with reading the manga. Honestly, I’ll continue to watch this show, but I’ve given up on it being any good. The pacing is so rushed that the relationships are forced rather than naturally brought together. We’re on episode three, and they’re already at the summer job and formed the band.

Robert Ramos 1/16/17 Robert Ramos 1/16/17

Review: Little Witch Academia E.01

By Robert Ramos

When I found there was going to be a TV series of Little Witch Academia, I got fairly excited. I was pretty pleased with how the “movie” version turned out, even if was only 30 minutes and left a lot of openness. So does this TV adaptation hold true? Let’s find out, shall we!

Shanel Kamara 1/16/17 Shanel Kamara 1/16/17

Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Sukeroku Futatabi-hen E.02

By Shanel Kamara

This show is one that I will definitely not tire of watching. The explanation of how certain characters connect to the protagonists and their role in the preservation and development of rakugo is sound. I thought how minor character, Higuchi Eisuke from season one, who Yakumo - in his younger years - briefly encountered while on tour with his master, reappeared this season as a supporting character, was brilliant.

Dustin Cabeal 1/13/17 Dustin Cabeal 1/13/17

Review: Interviews With Monster Girls E.01

By Dustin Cabeal

Interviews With Monster Girls was one of the last on my list of new anime to check out. I was just going to get around to it when I got around to it. Then I saw everyone shitting their pants over it and decided to bump it up on my list. I probably should have gotten to it when I got to it.

Dustin Cabeal 1/13/17 Dustin Cabeal 1/13/17

Review: KonoSuba 2! E.01

By Dustin Cabeal

There was a time that I found these really long ass titles funny, but then I started reviewing them, and I now hate these long ass titles, so I will only say this title once… God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World! 2, is the full and proper title. The show’s shorthand is KonoSuba, and it’s returning for its second season.

Dustin Cabeal 1/10/17 Dustin Cabeal 1/10/17

Review: Spiritpact E.01

By Dustin Cabeal

This wasn’t a terrible episode. It wasn’t good either. It was average, but not painfully so. The formula outline that is used is overdone in anime and manga, but it can on occasion still work if what’s put into the story is entertaining or offers a fresh voice. Spiritpact doesn’t offer much that’s new and seems like the creators were just checking boxes and moving on.

Dustin Cabeal 1/10/17 Dustin Cabeal 1/10/17

Review: Akiba’s Trip: The Animation E.01

By Dustin Cabeal

I made the mistake of looking at what others were saying about this before writing my review. I wish I hadn’t done that because it blows my mind that people don't like it. First off, I don’t know shit about the franchise. I saw that it’s a game by Seed X or X-Seed… whichever, both are terrible, and either makes bad games. This show, though, is funny. It’s stupid as hell, but it’s funny.

Dustin Cabeal 1/10/17 Dustin Cabeal 1/10/17

Review: Fuuka E.01-02

By Dustin Cabeal

If you’ve listened to the CBMFP or read our Best of 2016 manga list, then you know that I adore the manga that Fuuka is based. I was stupidly excited for it. I should have been more reserved and hesitant because I have wisdom and experience on my side, but every once in a while you just get stupidly excited for an adaptation. It’s why they do them. They know that a percentage of fans will just shit their pants for something and say, “take my money.”

Dustin Cabeal 1/10/17 Dustin Cabeal 1/10/17

Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Sukeroku Futatabei-Hen E.01

By Shanel Kamara

Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is back with a second cour, and I am ecstatic about its return; recently I began watching episodes from the previous season, falling in love with the josei drama series all over again. The series focuses on rakugo - a form of verbal entertainment that became a prominent source of amusement among the public particularly during the Showa period in Japan.

Robert Ramos 1/9/17 Robert Ramos 1/9/17

Review: ClassicaLoid E.13

By Robert Ramos

Why am I still watching this crap? Can someone please try to explain to me why I can’t get myself away from this? There’s absolutely nothing going on. There have been hints of story, but it is always sidelined by the next episode. You know what? Now that I’m thinking about it, ClassicaLoid reminds me a lot of Dimension W, and we all know how that faired out.

Dustin Cabeal 1/2/17 Dustin Cabeal 1/2/17

Review: Koro-sensei Quest! E.01

By Shanel Kamara

Koro-sensei Quest! is blatantly a rip-off of Dragon Quest; I am sure the creators could have thought of something a little more distinctive but beggars can't be choosers. There was no doubt in my mind that I would watch the spinoff because I thoroughly enjoyed the original series. Initially, I was surprised to have the chance to see the comical Koro-sensei and his fellow pupils in action once again; however, this surprise did not turn out as pleasant as I previously hoped. I am aware of how most spinoffs work, but I cannot say that I was impressed with the setup of this one.