Master… – Weekly Anime Review #1
Another week has passed by in a flash. Today let’s review some selected anime episodes that aired between 16.10.22 (Sun) to 22.10.22 (Sat).
The shows listed will be highlighted based on certain criteria (e.g. most comedic, darkest, most action etc.). Do read the articles below if you are interested in a more comprehensive review for Fall 2022.
Here are some other things to keep in mind:
- This is not a season-wide review, we will only be focusing on one episode at a time.
- Only anime I watched are included.
- There will be spoilers if you haven’t watched these shows.
Without further ado, let’s jump right in! 🎉🎉🎉
Most Comedic — The Little Lies We All Tell — Episode 1
Episode Recap
We are introduced to Sekine, Tsubasa, Chiyo, and Rikka, 4 seemingly ordinary junior high school friends. However, Sekine is a telepath towards girls, Tsubasa is a man masquerading as his twin sister, Chiyo is a ninja, and Rikka is an alien revolutionary.
In this episode, as Rikka’s machine malfunctions, Sekine needs to try her best to prevent Rikka’s suspicion in costing their lives.
Why it is the Most Comedic
This episode is just full of giggles from start to end. Be it Sekine’s attempts to save (?) her friends from Rikka, Rikka’s misunderstandings on what is proper human culture and interaction, as well as how everyone just rolls with awkward situations is just hilarious. While some themes might be generic, there’s nothing I can nitpick with it at the moment and I have high expectations for this show.
Most Action-Packed — My Hero Academia Season 6 — Episode 4
Episode Recap
Dabi cornered Hawks who murdered Twice and reveals his identity to Hawks’ shock. The heroes continue their break in to Garaki’s lab, battling the high end Nomus who started gaining sentience and suffering grievous injuries in the process, but eventually broke Shigaraki’s container.
After capturing Garaki, he reveals to present Mic that he was initially aiming for Aizawa’s erasure quirk but caught Kurogiri instead. Just like how he gave a copy of his longevity quirk to All for One, All for One also kept a copy but gave his original quirk to Shigaraki. The episode ends with Shigaraki’s mindscape where he chose to oppose his family and hero lineage.
Why it is the Most Action-Packed
The heroes continue their glorious tag team fights against the Nomus. As the Nomus gain sentience, they also ramped up the difficulty by counterattacking and working around Aizawa’s erasure quirk. Seeing how determind Mirko was in breaking Shigaraki’s container despite her injuries and natural instinct was awesome. There were many, many close calls and reveals in this episode.
Darkest Episode #1 — Muv-Luv Alternative 2nd Season — Episode 3
Episode Recap
Depressed and traumatised from witnessing Marimo’s death, Takeru wants to escape to his own universe. However, he is warned by Kozuki that he needs to focus or else he will fade from existence and he only has a return window of 24 hours. He manages to meet Marimo alive and the rest of his classmates in the original universe.
However, the balance of causality causes Marimo in the original universe to die as well. He is warned by the original universe’s Kozuki that if people die in the Alternative universe, they die in this universe too. The episode ends with Takeru agreeing to some somewhere with Meiya, while Sumika leaves a voice message to celebrate his birthday the following day.
Why it is the Darkest #1
Seeing how unhinged and depressed Takeru makes me feel equally depressed. As if Marimo’s death in the alternative universe is not enough, her death again in the original universe is no less painful. The cliffhanger at the end makes things more foreboding. I had the need to watch something cheery just to regulate my mood as it was too dark. However, knowing how the story will progress, the darkness won’t fade anytime.
Darkest Episode #2 —The Human Crazy University — Episode 3
Episode Recap
We are introduced to Shigeo, a vigilante who tortures and kills those out of bounds from the law. While investigating his newest target — a corrupt and murderous inspector, he saves Satake who was being tortured to confess to a robbery he didn’t commit. After warning Satake to not go evil himself, he brings the inspector to his torture den, and eventually kills him after delivering his version of justice.
Why it is the Darkest #2
While the darkness of Muv-Luv Alternative might be in a more fantastical setting, this episode of The Human Crazy University is equally dark as the themes it discusses are much more realistic. Corruption, bribery, a failed justice system, how those in power go scot-free, if necessary evil should punish evil, the opaqueness of Japan’s justice system, etc.
While Shigeo’s the one dispensing torture, there’s really no redeeming feature for the inspector, who does not regret his actions including the murder of a child. Unlike previous episodes where violence is usually just alluded to, it is on full display in this episode. This show is not for the faint of heart.
Wow was that dark. Let’s end things on a lighter note with…
Most Heartwarming-The Maid I Hired Recently is Mysterious-Episode 11 (Season Finale)
Episode Recap
Lilith’s former master appears to bring Natsume back, and Natsume gains the courage to confess her love for her master. Lilith also reveals how she lost her parents and Yuuri’s parents took her in and her decision to repay them.
Later, Yuuri and Lilith go on a Christmas date and are spotted by Tsukasa and Fujisaki. When Lilith asks Yuuri asked what kind of love he has for her, he answers that he doesn’t know now but wants to find out together with Lilith. The episode ends with Lilith startled by Yuuri saying he wants children, but he actually means building snow children.
Why it is the Most Heartwarming
This show is personally one of the shows I unexpectedly enjoy the most from the previous season. While some shows (A Couple of Cuckoos)end on an ambiguous note, the conclusion for this show is more … conclusive. Being able to see Yuuri and Lilith’s relationship progress as well as how they sort out their mutual feelings is also gratifying. All in all, while this show may seem repetitive in the beginning, it does improve and hits the sweet spot in the end.
That’s all for this week. Do feel free to share both this article and your opinions if you enjoy this article.
