I’m still trying to get back into the groove of watching seasonal anime, and catching up on brand new episodes. Perhaps that 3-months break had a lot to do with that. To counter that, I’ve been taking more time to consider what’ll end up on my top 5 of 2020. There are a number of shows that people talked about a lot that I need to catch up on too(My Next Life as a Villainess, Sing Yesterday For Me, Deca-Dence, etc.), but a small list is already forming. Heck, maybe I should even consider that silly-looking Uzaki-chan Wants To Hang Out! show. Right now though, I should just stay focused on what I’m watching this season.
Adachi & Shimamura Episode 2
The Yuri Empire is a great little blog devoted to yuri anime, and they’ve described this show better than I could: ‘Gay Teenager Complexity: The Series’. And here in episode 2 we realize how all these dreamy metaphors are needed for a show like this, and for a socially awkward girl like Adachi.
Thanks to episode 2, I’ve really warmed to Adachi & Shimamura, and am much more positive about it, whereas before I found myself confused on why it operated on multiple narratives and dreamy surreal moments. Now I’m no yuri anime connoisseur at all, but I can still notice yuribait shows from a good distance away. While the opening episode left me conflicted about the show, episode 2 makes much more sense to me. Adachi feels so socially awkward and cut-off from the rest of school that she no longer cares about opening up…or maybe I should say cared. She sees someone like Shimamura and sees more than just a fellow truant – she wants to be her close close friend. Maybe more than that as well; as she mentions this week, Adachi wants Shimamura to immediately think of her as ‘her friend’.
The introduction of the time-travelling astronaut Yashiro was here this week too, but that was pretty much secondary compared to how we see Adachi’s thoughts about her relationship with Shimamura. While last week we saw a lot more of what Shimamura was thinking, this week, the focus shifts to Adachi, and for good reason too. We see that she begins to have dreams of kissing Shimamura, and starts to panic. She doesn’t want to distance herself from her either, and it’s worth noting that this week a lot of subtle changes happen to their relationship. They begin to hold hands, Adachi warms to the idea of resting her head on Shimamura’s legs, they have an indirect kiss whilst eating donuts, and that scene where Shimamura accidentally runs into Adachi in her Chinese dress work uniform is pretty classic.
These subtle changes are coming thick and fast. I know nothing of what the manga itself goes into when it comes to how the relationship builds and strengthens, but I’m really liking what I see now…and look forward to what comes next.
Tonikawa: Over The Moon For You Episode 3
Not totally sure what I can say about this week’s Tonikawa though, aside that very little has changed. Nasa is still in complete and utter shock that he is married now, and Tsukasa is still taking this all in her stride while trying to hide her own emotions (and past) at the same time. But at least we get to see some more people in the show, so we don’t automatically think that the entire show will just be these two interacting and messing around.
Now I don’t want to be too mean on this week’s Tonikawa, but this was a bit of a filler episode. Some more characters are finally introduced, in the form of two sisters, Aya and Kaname, whose family run the local bathhouse. They both have a close connection with Nasa, and the person he was before meeting Tsukasa – some things which surprise her, while other things make her a little jealous. While Kaname comes across as the petite kohai who relishes in making her Nasa-senpai the butt of dirty jokes, Aya is the incredibly shy and insecure elder who obviously holds a candle for Nasa. This is something that may well end up becoming a big plot point of the show. Again, like Adachi & Shimamura, I have no idea how Aya and Kaname are portrayed in the original manga, but the relationships the two of them have with Nasa are rather textbook.
Again, I really don’t want to be too mean on Tonikawa right now, considering that I’m enjoying it still. I suppose I should not have pictured the show to be off-beat and too original. While I like the fact that our two main characters are actual adults instead of the stereotypical high-school kids, a lot of atypical traits come out here…and continue to come out. The question is whether I should consider that as a harsh criticism, and right now in episode 3, I don’t think I can answer that just yet.
Assault Lily: Bouquet Episode 3
What I can say is that Assault Lily: Bouquet really has turned into something quite remarkable, and I wonder how it has gotten as little attention as it has. Could this be the show that brings back peoples’ faith in SHAFT again? It’s passed the three-episode rule for me with flying colors, and has given us much more to look forward to in the future. This week’s episode alone made sure of that, and it isn’t wholly because of all the thigh shots we consistently get each week.
We were teased last week about the reasons Yuyu was so keen on changing Riri’s mind in wanting to form a Schutzengel pact with her (which we see is actually written in a contract, like some marriage certificate), but this week we finally understand why…and it isn’t just because Yuyu lost her last Schutzengel. For the first time, we learn about how each Lily has a special ability they can use in battle. We’re not told what Riri’s is (or if she even has one), but what Yuyu has is Lunatic Trancer; an ability that greatly enhances her Magie power, except she has no control over it, and can even lash out at other Lilies. And this is how she lost her last Schutzengel; it’s hinted very much this week that her Lunatic Trancer ability inadvertently killed her. So Yuyu is full-on pulling a Homura Akemi here: she’s not being standoffish and pushing others away for her own sake, but instead to protect them from danger.
Riri still has a lot to learn, of course, but Yuyu is, in my opinion, the perfect Schutzengel for her; she can be firm but considerate at the same time. I suppose one thing that critics and cynics will seize on after this week is how Riri and Yuyu’s relationship potentially mirrors Madoka and Homura’s one. They can look at this show and simply see that a naïve and innocent girl is looking to find good in a mysterious and aloof girl with a dark history…
“Oh wait, isn’t that exactly what Madoka tried to do with Homura?“
I really do think that it’s going to be far more than that. Besides, Madoka Magica and Assault Lily: Bouquet are two completely different stories and franchises that have different settings, different character designs, and different themes. And so I think it’s very unfair to compare the two; we should not all be comparing every future action/magical girl/yuri show to Madoka Magica.
To say that the show has escalated quickly is an understatement. We all said that about Madoka Magica, and how we didn’t see the one girl we had all grown to love and adore just be snuffed out just like that. We won’t be getting any of that here, but after episode 3 I think it’s safe to say that Assault Lily: Bouquet will not be the cutesy show full to the brim with yuri metaphors. It’s looking to be so much more, and it makes me understand why SHAFT decided to produce the show in the first place. Not just because they wanted something colorful and edgy-looking, but something that has a story that they can go truly wild with. SHAFT never was a studio that was afraid to break the norm, and by the way Assault Lily: Bouquet is going at the moment, they’re looking to live up to that reputation.
BNA – Brand New Animal Episode 3
Okay, so while I have seasonal shows that passed the three-episode rule, has the same happened when it comes to BNA? My answer to that is…no. In fact, this is slowly becoming a show that I care less about compared to the others I’m watching this season.
Shirou has finally accepted the fact that Michiru used to be human, but feels that keeping her locked away is the best thing to do. More action happens in episode 3, where more bombs go off in Anima City, and a shady medical multi-national corporation is brought into light. Now I’m normally one to jump towards exciting Trigger action shows, but BNA just hasn’t done that for me. I already accept that the show is highly political, but it really does feel like everything else (character design, plot, etc.) is put secondary. I’m not warming to Michiru, or Shirou, or the mayor, or anyone else in the show, and I’m certainly not warming to how the story could potentially be like in later episodes.
This is a bit unusual for me, considering how much I enjoy Trigger shows usually. It really feels like BNA has been a letdown so far. Hey, I’m saying this just as I say that the show didn’t pass the three-episode rule for me. Maybe it will get better later on, but right now I’m not so optimistic.
Adachi & Shimamura has yet to have its third episode, but considering how I’ve warmed to it so much now, I’ll go out on a limb and say that show’s passed it too. So it’s a rarity indeed – that all three seasonal shows I’m watching are shows that I’m thoroughly enjoying.
How do you feel about this season though? It’s full of sequel seasons, but what else has stood out for you? Do you think Assault Lily: Bouquet will be a show that’ll revitalize SHAFT? Did you find BNA a little mediocre compared to past Trigger shows? Feel free to hit that like button and air your opinions in the comments below!