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icyviv · 1 year

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Anime I watched in Winter 2023

I haven’t ever done anything like this before, but I figured “Why not?”. I enjoy writing. So, my thoughts on the anime I watched in Winter 2023!

Loooong Post Ahead!

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel The Northern War

I will start with the show I was most excited for heading into the season. During 2022, I picked up the Cold Steel games, and was in the middle of III(3) when this was announced. Which was awesome, as this event (The Northern War) was heavily referenced, but never explored. So I went into the show quite optimistically.

Unfortunately, while the first episode, and even the second were quite good, the show ended up falling quite flat, personally. And I think that was because of a few key problems.

First, the show was focused on characters created specifically for the show. A group of mercenaries. While they are characterized well, and feel fine, they are completely new. When this show came out, Cold Steel as a series had been finished for a number of years, so I get that trying to fit this in might be odd. But Cold Steel is focused on Class VII, or more specifically, Rean Schwarzer. While Rean is in the show, and we get cameos from other members of Class VII, it feels very forced.

Second, the show did not know its audience. The Legend of Heroes is a moderately large series at this point, with currently 9 games available in English, with the 10th capstone game coming later this year. And that does not include the early series games that are not in the canon of the Trails series, as well as the sequel series that has had 2 games released in Japan. So, getting an anime at this point is kind of weird. Especially focused around an event that is not covered in the games. Which brings me to my point. Who was this show for? I should be sitting right in the target audience, but this show felt like it was trying too hard to be accessible for someone unfamiliar with the series. At the same time, it used the political intrigue the series does well, but the intrigue is very hard to follow without a background in the series.

So, overall, this series was a pretty big miss. Which sucks, because I love the Trails games.

The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady

This series was pretty high on the list as well. It is a yuri, and I tend to bias towards those greatly, but overall, I think it did very well.

It is an isekai, which have absolutely flooded the anime market, but that was expected given the popularity of the genre calling for a certain publisher in Japan to blanket ban future submissions in the genre. Which is hilarious and sad, really.

Back to MagiRevo. The pacing and flow of the series does very well, balancing high action with the political intrigue of running a country. Especially given that the political intrigue is the A plot, regardless of how much Anis tries to avoid it.

I would totally recommend this one, mostly because its really nice to see a show where love wins sometimes. And I don’t mean that in a specifically yuri way. Or maybe I do.

The Iceblade Sorcerer Shall Rule the World

Honestly? Honestly? Isekai trash without the Isekai.

Main character OP as fuck? Check.

Bunch of girls randomly in love with him? Check.

School setting? Not technically necessary, but check.

Really buff dudes and a solid brotherly bond? Che… wait a second…

This show surprised me, if only a little bit. Definitely not enough to redeem it. But still.

The main character actually makes a male friend! And they bond over being buff as hell! And join a club full of really buff dudes! I appreciate the attempt at fan service in the other direction, even if it fell a bit flat. But the male friendship was a nice touch. I just wish it had explored it a bit better.

So, overall, meh.

Tomo-chan is a Girl!

Wow, this show was fun. The dynamic between the two main characters for this romantic comedy was delightful. This show could have very easily devolved into something misogynistic, but I think it walked that line very well. Some will definitely disagree, but this is the internet, so whatever.

Jun’s struggle is shown super well. His issue is not with Tomo being stronger with him. His issue is not with Tomo being a girl. His issue is with what a relationship with her would mean, and how that would change them together. Which is actually a super interesting way to address what a relationship of “boyfriend-girlfriend” is. His entire struggle boils down to “if I date Tomo, will we still get to compete?” The idea of an irregular relationship like that seems impossible to him. But, eventually, he figures it out. Which is great. Good for them.

A fun romantic comedy. Totally worth watching.

Onichan wa Oshimai (Onimai: I am now your sister)

I personally really liked this one. A lot of people will have issues with this show. For that reason, I can’t recommend it for someone who looks for issues in media. Cause it has more than a few.

Obviously, the show is filled with Transgender themes and experiences. Specifically, the villainization of trans women in “female spaces”.

Trans girls, you will probably like this show. TERFs, fuck off.

Trigun Stampede

Oooo, this one is spicy.

Hot Take, fantastic show.

Hotter take, the 3DCG was really good and I think made the show better then it would have been in 2D.

I read somewhere that the director said the this was “not a reboot, not a retelling, merely another Trigun story of two brothers.” (I am really paraphrasing). And I think that really helps with the show.

As someone who has not sat through the original Trigun, I went into this show only vaguely knowing who Vash the Stampede was. Yellow hair, red coat, gun.

What this show did really well was the emotional storytelling of Vash. Throughout the first episode, I felt something… off about Vash. Which was weird to me, because I didn’t know the character. But throughout the rest of the show, you really begin to feel his sadness. This giant weight he carries. That his smile is so, so fragile. And I adore it.

I loved it. Someone who dislikes 3DCG will hate it. Pretty straightforward.

The Ice Guy and his Cool Female Colleague

Yes! Office romance and not high school romance! I will take it!

Also, a fun show. Typical slow burn romance. If you like that kind of thing, this should be right up your alley.

Sugar Apple Fairytale

A fantasy tale involving Fairies that are enslaved by humans. Has a large chunk of tsundere romance, and both characters involved are Tsun, so that is always fun.

While the main plot is focused on the “Will they, won’t they”, I do think it makes a few good explorations into love in a slave society. When you hold someone’s life in your hands against their will, can you really expect them to love you?

A good time, and I will be watching part 2 in the summer.

The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten

More romance! High school this time, but that's okay.

I really liked this one. Immensely. It felt really nice.

I think the main conflict of the series is focused on removing your preconceived notions of others and just talking to them. Which is great! In theory.

Of course, things are never that easy. Even once you have talked about something hard, it doesn’t mean that the future will be any easier. Every tough conversation is tough for a reason, and there can be safety in silence. In just letting the status quo be. The status quo can be scary.

I mean, there is also the wish fulfillment of having a really cute girl cook food for you. Like, I can get why people might just assume its that and nothing deeper.

But I don’t think those people have ever cooked something delicious for someone else. It is a truly wonderful feeling to see a boy’s face light up in joy at something yummy.

A lovely romance. Totally worth a watch if you want something sweet.

Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement

I… really don’t know how I finished this show.

Its mediocre at best. The story is WEAK. The animation is basic. The characters are quite boring.

I think I just kept watching because I was hoping for the obvious to be addressed? And it wasn’t?

The obvious is… When will the main character receive consequences for her brazen and kind of stupid actions? And the answer is… never?

Very bland and boring isekai.

I mean hell. They never even address why the fuck she fell off a cliff in the first place? Like, what? Moving on.

Reborn to Master the Blade: From Hero-King to Extraordinary Squire

Another mid Isekai that… wait… it’s not an isekai?

A fairly mid show following the genre that sprouted because of the above mentioned isekai ban. “Character already in a fantasy world gets reincarnated with op powers” An attempt was made at least. I guess.

Not ridiculously fanservicey. Definitely has a fair bit though. Some fun fights. Interesting world building that is probably explored much better in the source material (I hope).

A miss.

In/Spectre 2

I quite enjoyed this series when the first came out, so I was pleasantly surprised to see more of it.

This Sherlockian series following mythological creatures of Japanese folklore is quite fun. If you like weird mysteries, I would recommend In/Spectre. Its a bit crass at times, though I believe that to be a choice by the author to offset the perceived upper class nature of the main character Kotoko.

Worth a watch

Shows I did not finish (with one caveat)

The Misfit of Demon Academy: This show actually had its broadcast canceled due to “Covid Issues.” It will resume in June I believe, so I will finish it then.

The tale of outcasts: This show had some promise, and I quite enjoyed its first half. Very Ancient Magus Bride vibes. Unfortunately, I SUPER lost interest in the final arc. The introduced villain basically said “I am going to do bad things because I am bored.” Which is fine. Depending on the character. It did not do it for me.

The Reincarnation of the Strongest Exorcist in Another World: I am surprised I made it as far as I did in this show. But overall more boring OP Isekai stuff without much variance.

And I think that does it! That covers the shows I watched in the 2023 Winter season, barring stuff that was not part of the season. This was fun, and I might do it again for spring! There are a few good shows I am looking forward to, like GWitch Part 2, Tonikawa Part 2, and Ancient Magus Bride Part 2.

If you got this far, holy crap, thanks! Unless you are looking for a TL;DR.

TL;DR

Anime good. World hard and cold. Titty soft and warm.

#anime #winter anime 2023 #legend of heroes trails of cold steel #magirevo #analysis #anime analysis #writing #long reads

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