Winter 2025 - In a Nutshell + Conclusion

 

Winter 2025 has a potential to be great and save what Fall 2024 ruined. Unfortunately, it worked only halfway and I was disappointed... but maybe by my choices, rather than the shows themselves.These are the shows that I was watching:

Out of 13 shows that I started watching, I dropped 5, finished the rest and added 3 more - that being Yami Shibai Season 14, SK∞ Extra Part and Neko ni Naritai Tamagawa-kun and finished the rest that I started (sometimes with complains and usually last minute).

This post, as per usual, is devoted to quick overview of the show itself and last episodes, concluding my opinion and the feeling I got from watching each anime.

But this season, I am looking at every interesting first episode - so that I can decide what is actually good, what only sounds good and what to focus on. After all, first impressions are everything!

Each show will get a rating, and in the end we're naming best and worst last episodes. Those ratings are "💖" (keep watching), "👍" (not bad, but there are better), "👎" (this might get dropped). Next post will be all about awards, so watch out for that!

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Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon 2nd Season

(My Happy Marriage Season 2)

Watashi no Shiawase Kekkon had a brilliant first season, drama that cannot be forgotten or repeated and conclusion that left me wanting more, desperately searching for anything the authors would give me.

The short OVA brought back a little taste of heaven, just enough teasing to keep me wanting the 2nd season to come faster.

And then, there it was. Airing.

First few episodes were amazing and I counted days. Then it got... a little too complicated for my taste. But maybe that’s only because I was so lost in my life, that I didn’t have the brain capacity to keep every episode’s info in my head and understand the connections.

But towards the end of the season, I sat down and tried to catch up with all the episodes that were left. And you know what? It was so worth it.

I was sitting on the edge of my seat, staring and gasping for air. I felt my heart in my throat and I could hear my own heartbeat.

The story line they went for was... well, saying interesting would be a great offense. Second season is so close to a masterpiece, it’s not even funny. It is amazing in every way possible.

I LIVED for the drama, I LIVED for the romance, I LIVED for the suspense. I even got on board for the supernatural! This Season just perfected what the previous did so well. I am surprised I am still alive – the amount of heart attack this show gave me...

I cannot stress this enough without spoiling anything: WATCH IT. Give it a chance. You will not regret it.

💖

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Sorairo Utility (TV) 

Soirairo Utility started out as my next favorite CGDCT show. But just in 7 episodes, the quality dropped so bad, it was impossible to actually watch it. The figures looked badly proportionated, the art suffered and the animation almost seemed lazy and half-assed.

It is awful to say that about a show I was definitely sure would be 8/10... but that’s how it is.

I’d like to bring awarness to Megumi’s voice actor who managed to make even me – someone who knows only little japanese – absolutely annoyed with her voice. Great job! Such an amazing voice acting!

They put a lot of work into episode 9 – that actually had an important message. I often complain that sport/game anime are not explaining the rules anymore. Sorairo utility didn’t exactly do it either – but they dedicated an episode to something important.

Keeping the field green and taking care of it, so others could enjoy playing golf as well.

They did it through a funny mistake, while connecting a simple girl’s dreams and past and hopes... and it worked well.

A little side note – the girls are a walking pansexual flag.

    

💖

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Tasokare Hotel

The problem I have with this series is, that it doesn't quite connect to what this genre usually represents. Stay with me. The way Death Paradise did it worked so well and I was excited to see more of that.

Justice. Good and Evil. Do you live or are you moving to the afterlife? Will you risk everything and end up in hell?

Well, that's not exactly the main focus of it all. Thorough the series we find out that the main character has been the whole time a completely different type of main character.

Neko Tsukahara struck me as someone who is the main connection between the hotel guests and their fate. In the end, she was the key to the main plot of the series that was just.. disappointingly underwhelming.

Simply because it was never about the guests themselves. It was always about Neko and Atori - two hotel workers. The main antagonist of the series that was supposed to not have an antagonist is a serial killer Masaki Oosoto, who mixes the cards in a way that completely changes the story itself.

Through a complicated two episodes he becomes the reason Atori ends up in hell and Neko finally figures out who she is, so she can go back to life and safe her idol/mentor/crush whoever. He is the reason Neko steps up and gives us the final line: "Maybe I end up in hell, but that's okay..."

Girl. No.
The same issues I had with Hell Girl (Jigoku Shoujo) where the characters completely ignored the horrors of "hell" as a concept and proceed with their revenge. 
I am half-christian half-atheist. That means that while I don't really believe in hell, I don't want to end up there??? Why are these kids not more scared of it? Why do they just accept it??

For that and more reasons, I just cannot accept this show. Not at all. It could be so good... and it ended so stupidly. Very much a wasted potential to a good psychological show.

Somebody take it and completely redo it, thank you.

👎

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Zenshuu.

Zenshuu is one of those shows that promise you something great, then take the worst path possible to get there, but in the end you cannot say anything because they do what they promised to do.

Never, not even once is it mentioned that this one is an isekai, but surprise surprise - it is. The only reason why I didn't drop it was the incredible art and animation quality and a small hope that in the end, it will bring us what it promised... even if it was in a different way.

The characters were shallow and unlikeable (despite their emotional weight and heavy fates... which, how do you manage to do both?), the story was boring and the twist left me cold, not surprised. I knew that it couldn't get any worse - because when a beloved character "passed" I simply didn't care.

I am grateful for dubbing, because the guy voicing Luke did an amazing job. He put so much emotion into everything that I was actually grateful for him being there, so I would pay at least a little bit of attention.

I can see how people would think this show is good. I can understand why it would be popular. But for me, it was an incredible miss. And the little glance back at the end, that Natsuko took, just didn't do it for me. I was happy the show ended and I hope the woman finds happiness.

Seriously. What even was this... "I was transported to another world to understand myself and change who I am for the better." Bye.

👎

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Mahoutsukai no Yakusoku

(Promise of Wizard)

I never had  high hopes for this show itself. Just for the experience. My 16 year old self was really really excited to give the otome show a try.

So. I am not disappointed by the quality, just by the story. I think it's a good show. With many cool boy characters that will definitely leave an impression, make you have favorites, cuties, and those you despise. The main character is definitely bland as a flour, which makes her the perfect "y/n" character - she does not move or change or influence the story in any way, shape or form.

She does not form many connection despite those that are needed for us to experience the soft side of boys. Who are by the way, not having nearly enough screen time. But that is what a show does to a otome game. In the game, you choose your own fate and who to interact with.

In a show, you get what the creators think is the most important parts for the story.

Again, this show is not bad and I would give the game a try if I was into them. But from a objective point of view, I cannot be happy with what they gave us. Mainly when the story itself made practically zero sense. Honestly, it's a very mixed experience that I will forget in a week's time.

👎

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Honey Lemon Soda

People have called it in the very beginning. This story is not special or new in any way. A bullied girl x popular boy that turns out to have a problematic past. Bullies that have a redemption arc, past girlfriend that goes through a heartbreak... new friends and characters that never get proper screen time. More bullies, revenge and plot twist towards the end that forces the main character to yell their feelings out loud.

Weird, brave love confession and no space or time for proper dating or even a kiss. Just ending worth of "awww" while imagining what comes next later. Such is this show.

Despite all of that, sometimes betting on a classic does pay off. And this one did as well. The quality is great, the design and art & animations are all looking really fine and in the end, the two main characters have an energy that you want to root for. 

This romance does not stand out, but if you choose to give it a try, you won't be disappointed. Because it does, what it does, in a good way.

👍

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Nihon e Youkoso Elf-san.

(Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf!)

In the end, I ended up being very disappointed with this show. I expected a lot more. 

Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf was something that could do great things. We could have seen a beautiful elf falling in love with people, country, food... and we got it. But we also got the boring parts when they went back to the fantasy word, where a whole new story was happening.

Normally, it would be cool to have two main plot lines. But this time the fantasy plot line was flat and not very interesting. All it did was give us and idea how this transportation from one word to another works, and a great character Wridra - whom I love.

The show leaves much to be desired. More to experience, more to focus on. It needs more dept and more exploring. It needs better pacing and more to happen. It has to stop dragging out not important parts and focus on something else. Part of me wishes it would be at least 24 episodes long... but then I think I would get bored out of my mind.

If I want to give a proper rating, I have to say the show was cute enough to make up for my own personal biases. So... okay. Good one.

👍

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Neko ni Naritai Tamagawa-kun

Don't.

I know what everyone seeing this is thinking. Those that are normal are judging, and they have all the right to do some. Those who are not normal understand my feelings about this show.

Innocent. Adorable. Cats. Fun... yaoi.

👍

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SK∞ Extra Part

(SK8 the Infinity EXTRA PART)

The boys are back!

This short extra episode is just a "turn back time and remind me what it feels like to watch a good show". But it does fill me with happy fuzzy feelings.

In a short amount of time, we meet all of the main characters in situations specific for them. Langa and Reki and Miya are competing in silly games, Kaoru and Kojirou are fighting, Adam is being awful and Tadashi adorable and Shadow is trying his best.

It's wonderful, I had so much fun, completely focused and in the end I felt a bit of desperation because I knew that I will have to wait for more to come for a loooong time.

Still, it felt good to taste heaven, even if for a moment.

💖

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Yami Shibai Season 14

(Theatre of Darkness Season 14)

There is nothing we can actually say about this show right here. It's the same as the previous seasons, just a little more experimental. Good season, good ending.

👍

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ANIME RANKED

Let's take a look at my official score:

    

The second ranking is naming a "winner" and "looser" of the season. 

1. "Crowned" is an anime that ranked the best overall during this season.
2. "Clown hat" is an anime that I had high hopes for, but disappointed me the most.
3. "Heart" is an anime I didn't expect to like.
4. "Broken heart" is an anime that I liked, but wanted to be better.

    

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Honorable mention:

It's a simple drama + romance combo that basically everyone likes. It doesn't do anything extremely original, but it works well with what it has. The characters are full of life, you'll find yourself feeling hopeful for the good ending and in the end, you learn to appreciate life itself.

I think you should check out this anime:

Seriously. What are you even doing if you haven't seen the first season yet??? And if you have and forgot the story continues, then hurry up and find this one!!! It is so worth your time.

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And with that I am going to work on something else while waiting for Spring 2025 to begin and my life spiralling again.