Anime Overview: July to September 2024

Well, it’s a bit late, but I’ll start reviewing the anime that aired until last month.

Petty Bourgeois Series

This anime is based on a novel by Honobu Yonezawa, the author of Hyouka. Although the production company is not Kyoto Animation, it subtly evokes a similar atmosphere to Hyouka. However, the character design gives a more subdued impression compared to Hyouka. Nevertheless, this simplicity helps viewers focus more on the content.

Oshi no Ko Season 2

This is the second season of the anime that aired last year. Aqua, who cannot truly enjoy acting due to the trauma from his past life, brilliantly channels that into his performance. Like last year, I found it interesting to watch, but the opening song feels quite subdued, and it doesn’t seem to have created the same sensation as it did last year.

The Elusive Samurai

This anime is based on a manga serialized in Shonen Jump by Yusei Matsui, the creator of Majin Tantei Nogami Neuro and Assassination Classroom. It tells the historical story of Hojo Tokiyuki, the son of the last regent Hojo Takatoki, as he lives through the fall of the Kamakura shogunate and the transition to the Nanboku-cho period.

Despite some scenes being quite brutal, there’s a strangely lighthearted tone, which is reminiscent of Matsui’s work on Neuro and Assassination Classroom. The unexpected ending, which doesn’t match the overall tone of the world, is a must-see.

Mayonaka Punch

　This is PA Works’ entry for this season. It’s an anime about a washed-up video streamer, who was expelled from her unit due to a scandal, teaming up with a vampire to make a comeback.

　The combination of YouTube (called Newtube in the story) and vampires reminds me of Akiba Maid War, which mixed maids and yakuza. The strange energy throughout the show brings back memories of watching Nico Nico Douga late at night.”

Narenare -Cheer for You!-

This work is also by PA Works. It’s a story about a high school cheerleading club. Unlike Mayonaka Punch, this one gives a strong sense of depicting an ordinary story in an ordinary way. I wonder if PA Works is currently in a phase of trial and error with their recent productions.

My Deer Friend Nokotan

This anime is based on a manga that started serialization in Shonen Magazine Edge and is now serialized in Magazine Pocket. Before the anime aired, it was described as ‘the modern Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo‘ or ‘a cleaner version of Pop Team Epic,’ but I personally didn’t find it that amusing.

As a character-driven moe anime, similar to works from Manga Time Kirara, it’s not bad. But with this, no one is likely to complain, haha. Since the humor heavily relies on the setting and characters, it lacks the unpredictability and wild energy of shows like Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo or Pop Team Epic. The opening theme is the only thing that stands out, and it feels like it will be forgotten once the airing is over.

I’m planning to start watching “Chi.: On the Movements of the Earth” from this month.”