Anteiku Anime Reviews

Citrus

“There are things inside me that would please and terrify you. Both are there. Do you still want to look inside?”

Very pretty and very heartfelt, Citrus makes a good case for being definitive of the yuri genre. Though the story is somewhat contrived, it makes up for it with fun characters and some of the most beautiful artwork you’ll ever see. For those that enjoy yuri, this is a must-see. For those that cringe at it, if you ever wanted a good example of yuri, this is a good place to start.

WataMote

No matter how I look at it, it’s you guys’ fault I’m not popular! No not me, Tomoko-chan! Apparently that’s what the full Japanese title, shortened to WataMote, more or less means. This is one of the most jarringly depressing shows I’ve ever seen. A rather unusual take on slice-of-life, it is almost intentionally stuck in a dark twilight zone between comedic and a dangerous level of depressing. As far as anime goes, it’s a very interesting work, and I was thoroughly into it once I started. I definitely finished this single-season anime in one day.

Kokoro Connect

A supernatural rom-com? We’ve all seen probably more than a few in this genre, but it still sounds like such an odd mix. And this anime does a pretty good job with it. Fairly interesting characters and pretty artwork adorn this rather unusual storyline, keeping your mind and heart engaged throughout. I enjoyed it even though I felt it was a bit lacking at times.

Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!

I have mixed feelings about this show. On one hand it’s very unique. On the other, the art is displeasing to me. If the writers are going for some artistic effect with this kind of artwork, and I’ll try to make that argument below, it nonetheless can very easily be missed in the strangeness and semi-ugliness of the artwork. But overall, I enjoyed this show. It’s rare we get to see an anime about anime. And for that this show gets decent marks in my mind. Plus it has a rather unique aspect about it, which I will note at the end of this review!

Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid

This could be the sweetest, most ridiculous anime ever made! The name says it all. It’s about a dragon who becomes a maid for Miss Kobayashi! It’s cute, heartfelt, silly, borderline ecchi at times, and so much fun! Season 2 coming July 2021!!

Akame ga Kill!

This is a top 10 on any top anime list anywhere. Only one season of 24 episodes flies by as it grips you and inspires you and hurts you over and over again. Oddly profound, shamelessly unrealistic, beautiful in so many different ways, this series embodies so many things that make anime great. While it is not about the samurai by any means, the effect of their way, the way of the warrior, on Japanese culture and history is engrained into this tale. For to the death do these heroes fight, and to the death do these heroes live.

My Next Life as a Villainess

All routes lead to doom! Our poor protagonist (antagonist?) finds herself reincarnated into an otome game where she’s the villain! In a rarer form of isekai where a girl finds herself transported to a new world, this show is funny and fast-paced with amazing characters and beautiful artwork. Definitely one of my favorites from the 2020 lineup!

Steins;Gate

There’s never enough time is there? Never enough to watch anime or to save the world. What would help us solve these terrible problems? Time travel! And that is what Steins;Gate is all about, time travel, and the troubles and joys that come with it.

FLCL

What on Earth is going on here??

The Misfit of Demon King Academy

For this anime to be so ordinary, it’s pretty engaging and does a lot of things well. If I gave you the rest of the title, “History’s Strongest Demon King Reincarnates and Goes to School with His Descendants,” one, you’d think I made that up, and two, you’d pretty much know the gist of the story. Or, almost all of it. And I just gave it to you anyway!