The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War adapts what might be the most specific instance of storytelling in a video game for an audience that needs to be in the know to enjoy what is otherwise a bland premiere.
Buddy Daddies proves that even assassins have trouble rearing a child in a comedic romp that’s one of the Winter 2023’s best premieres.
Nier: Automata is not a work that should be adapted into a passive medium. But here it is, and so we must proceed.
Surprisingly enjoyable due to the effort it takes establishing a more interesting background for its lead than “modern teenager or salaryman.”
Intentional or otherwise, the colonial spirit of the heroine’s endeavor—in which an enlightened traveller improves the sorry lives of the locals by bringing them “proper” technology—screams off the screen.
An easy recommendation for action fans with some odd quirks for returning viewers.
The problem ultimately is the entire episode felt completely disjointed and it’s not entirely sure what kind of tone it wants to convey.
A certified delight adapted by one of the most veteran shoujo anime writers in the game.
Spy Classroom has all the makings of a pretty good show, but unfortunately, doesn’t use its spy cast to steal the secret to making a memorable premiere.
The Iceblade Sorcerer might be full of magic, but unfortunately, none of that translates to its shoddy animation nor the cast at large.
It’s weird to see what’s effectively a hobby anime so disinterested in what makes the genre tick.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale is a promising premiere that’s complicated as hell from a feminist analysis perspective.
Gender antics abound in a show that could have been the opposite of what it is: a fetishistic romp about one sibling forcibly feminizing the other for their own good with no nuance about actual trans experiences to be found.
It nails the vibe of the 00s fantastical revenge drama, but it remains to be seen whether this is going to be Urobuchi on or off his game.
Cool Girl meets Actual Cool Guy who Can Make Snow in a premiere that feels like a Wotakoi-esque successor with yokai and a cozy, relatable plot centered around falling in love.
Girl likes Guy and Guy like Girl…as a best bud because he can’t perceive her femininity. And yes, that’s the joke, which really undercuts a show that has potential to be very cute.
A dazzling yuri fantasy series with a lot of potential to grow.
Generally competent with one big shadow hanging over it.
