selayar

Spring season wrap up:

• mono: A nice slice of life/iyashikei anime. Pretty ambitious debut by studio Soigne. I love how much they mess with the camera perspective. As a sol anime, there were a lot of room to make it more engaging. At times can feel like an advertisement for the places they went to.
• Hibi wa Sugiredo Meshi Umashi: Another slice of life/iyashikei anime on my watch list. Simple and sweet. A little more relatable than mono but less interesting in the animation department.
• Rock is a Lady's Modesty: Interesting premise with interesting music, though not much in the execution. The animation was pretty standard. The story was okay.
• Witch Watch: Okay as an adaptation. Its animation only slightly above standard.
• Apocalypse Hotel: A fun original. The animation was great. Couldn't predict what would happen each episode. Really sweet and funny at times, hit hard in the feel at other times. I thoroughly enjoy each episode. Would be my AOTS if not for CinGray.
• Umamusume: Cinderella Gray: Hype Machine! My biggest surprise this season. Didn't know much about Umamusume before this, but Oguri's journey quickly make me invested. Each race was beautifully crafted to make it as hype as possible. I wasn't a sport anime fan before this, but now I can't stop rooting for Oguri in each race. The emotional stake and the drama was just top this, especially during the finale. Also, Fujimasa March, my beloved, her alone make it worth to watch.

Ah, good to know. Netflix is really inconsistent with release schedules. I'm lucky to be in Asia, so I got the simulcast with non-Netflix JP. For those outside Asia it's worse with Netflix probably going to wait for a batch release. I don't know how the discussion thread will be with this kind of mess.

Honestly I'm pretty lucky to get Super Creek in the first roll. I kinda have no reroll policy, so even if I didn't get Super Creek I'd just go with whatever I got. Don't want to sweat even before playing the game.

The game does need a lot of investment to be on the meta. I too don't have the money and time so I play it casually rather than trying to keep up with the meta. I'm just happy building my uma with the limited resource I have. Heck, none of my uma have finished URA final yet.

I know Oguri was supposed to be the center in that Legend Changer concert, but I can't stop looking at Rudolph. She just has that kind of aura 😭

For those who don't know, Uma Musume Pretty Derby Global was launched several days ago. Now, you can train your own Oguri with the 3-star selector ticket! Just be aware, building her isn't as easy and smooth as the anime. I have yet to win the URA final with her.

Here's my ID if you want to follow me in the game. Let's be friend! (I have Super Creek's support card):
3683 9579 4050

What an intense episode! Love the reversal role. Tamamo took the role of the protagonist, while Oguri took the antagonist. That way, rather than end the first part with a sad defeat, instead they let us root for Tamamo and end it with a win!

Oguri was a great antagonist. She bears the title of the Beast. Undefeatable for the last six races. Her footsteps echoed fear to the other contestants. She was the one who pushed Tamamo to finally break her limit and entered the zone.

I'm with Bellno in this one, maybe we were a bit arrogant thinking Oguri will be invincible. It was hard to accept the loss. But hey, that was a great end to bridge to the second part. Oguri now has a new stake and goal!

here is your weekly March posting:

Ouch, that was a rough first episode, even as someone who've read the manga before. The contrast between Takopi's cute design with the bleak, rough style of everything else really captures the contrast between Takopi's innocent and the much more bleak reality of both Shizuka and Marina.

They also drew Shizuka's house with a messy background to reflect how messy the reality is. Shizuka's depression isn't as simple as being bullied, her home was a wreck because of her mother is allegedly having an affair with Marina's dad. There's also a glimpse on Marina's side also having a broken home because of it.

This is a wonderful adaptation, with not only a great animation but also great cinematography. I like how they depict the bullying with Marina and Shizuka with that split view. I also like how they show Takopi's first-hand experience with bullying and how scary it looked at the point of view of the victim. There's also this beautiful sequence of Takopi hesitated on helping Shizuka facing Marina.

Oh boy, I'm not ready experiencing this the second time

I didn't realize there's Takopi's Original Sin definitely will watch that one. I've read the manga. Don't let the cute look fools you. This isn't wholesome.

Also, wasn't the Witch Hat Atelier anime supposed to drop this summer? Do we just not have an exact date yet? That'll be a must-watch to me.

Delayed, maybe? I mean, it is animated by Bug Films, the studio behind Zom 100, so I don't have much faith. I will take the delay if that means they can finish the production before airing and doesn't end up like Zom 100.

Despite the staked season, there's only a several series caught my attention

Can't Miss

• City The Animation:
  This will be THE anime that I won't miss. The spiritual successor of Nichijou, not only from the same author (Keiichi Arawi) but also by the same studio, Kyoani. The short teasers [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] posted on Kyoani's channel already solidify this as AOTY for me. Just look at how vibrant and expressive it looks.
• Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku:
  I've read the manga. It is a sweet romance that can't make you stop grinning. On top of that, it will be animated by Cloverworks.
• Dandadan 2nd Season:
  Pretty well known, a continuation of an already popular anime last year. Also have read the manga

Will Watch Some Episodes

• The Summer Hikaru Died:
  The trailer seems interesting. Heard a lot of buzz about the manga as well. Animated by CygamesPictures, so the quality will be top-notch. Don't know about the BL theme, though.
• New PANTY & STOCKING with GARTERBELT:
  Haven't watched the original, but the art style pulls me in.

Waiting to See the Reception First / Waiting for Full Release

• Arknights: RISE FROM EMBER:
  I'm yet to finish the first two seasons. I've played the game before, so I hope I can just jump right into.
• Turkey! Time to Strike
• Secrets of the Silent Witch
• Ruri Rocks:
  Studio Bind (not because of MT but onimai)

I'm still open to suggestions. Like other seasons, probably going to follow r/anime first 3 weeks reaction. Still open to the possibility of a dark horse this season.

Meta Question

On the topic of Kaoru, since Netflix JP has exclusive right to stream a week ahead, will the discussion thread follow Netflix JP release or global?

Wowee, that was another intense episode! The race was really hyped. Despite the true main character is Tamamo Cross and Oguri Cap, the other horses got their own moment during the race. Like, Top Shunbetsu late start, Lord Royal confidence in taking the lead, Dynam Heroine closing the gap, Sirius Symboli overpowered by Oguri's pressure despite finding an opening.

I love the new horse, Lord Royal. Another tomboy added to the growing list of side characters I like. Unfortunately for her, this is the story of the Beast. There is no chance for her to win.

Also, cute March got another screen time!

I want to highlight this adorable moment of Oguri gripping the doll Kitahara made.

Place your bets - who do you think would win the Tenno Sho?

my reaction knowing that it's ending next week

I thought CinGray is a 2-cour