All sorts of things are happening in the news right now, and I’ve seen all sorts of people try to make jokes about it. Some events have been cancelled, and some people have made the decision to cancel their con attendance plans. As time goes by, and the weather gets warmer, I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see what’ll happen. My plans to attend Dragoncon in September haven’t changed though; come hell or high water, I’ll be there. Even if it ends up cancelled, I guess I’ll just be a tourist for the week.
Asteroid in Love Episode 9
Well I was hoping not to spoil the big bombshell that came last week, but now it’s kind of unavoidable. Because of their work, Ao’s parents will be moving, meaning Ao will have to go with them. So with their great promise of finding an asteroid together, everyone starts to get a little upset, Mira included. However, an idea is formed that Ao can just move in with Mira. Sure…only something like this can happen in an anime; I’m not sure this is something that genuinely happens in real life Japan. Eh, my logic is getting in the way here, and we need that happy ending in this good show.
With all of this, this week’s Asteroid in Love certainly feels like the most serious episode so far. Maybe we should expect that since an awful lot happens in these 25 minutes, but Ao moving in with Mira isn’t the main theme here. Instead it is all the third-years graduating, in case, it’s Monroe, Sakura and Mira’s sister Misa. Also, Suzu has been our yuri guardian, and a bit of a comedy character in the show, but it comes out that she was actually very serious in her friendship with Misa, and is a little depressed that she is graduating.
I also liked that we were treated with a bit of a flashback of the time Monroe and Sakurai learnt that their Astronomy and Geology clubs were to be merged for the first time. In their third year, we see the two of them get to really understand each other, but back then, the two of them couldn’t be more different. Sakurai was frustrated at two things: the merger of course, but she was also frustrated with Monroe’s matter-of-fact attitude, and why she wasn’t contesting this merger like she was. I also liked that they’ve already started talking about mixer parties when they get into college.
I wonder what these remaining episodes will be like, now that Mira and Ao are second years, and Inose is the third year club president. What kind of new characters will arrive, if any? We’ve seen some glimpses of unique characters in past episodes, all with varying opinions on Earth sciences. Maybe this is the first sign that Asteroid in Love will end up with that second season that…might or might not as good.
In/Spectre Episode 9
Just as I’m finally starting to enjoy episodes of In/Spectre, I will be glad to see this show go. This show is not as memorable as some of the Monogatari series is, despite the main characters and the very unique antagonists.
A bit of a filler episode this week, unsurprisingly, but we get to see Kotoko’s plan in action. While Kuro is outside fighting the Steel Lady Nanase, dying and coming back to life over and over again, Kotoko is in a car on her laptop on the site’s forums, adding posts doubting the existence of the spirit, and concocting a lie revolving around the idea that Detective Terada was murdered by someone close to him, instead of the spirit. This big plan obviously means other forum users are going to put in their own two pennies here, either believing it all (thereby making the spirit weaker), or doubting Kotoko’s fictional accounts (thereby making the spirit stronger).
Even though In/Spectre does indeed seem like the kind of show that would likely get a second season, and cover an entirely new story, I don’t think it’ll get one…or if it will, it will not be as well crafted as this one has been. As time has gone on, I have actually grown attached to this story of the Steel Lady Nanase spirit being created possibly by Kuro’s cousin for reasons unknown. It is a believable plot for a 21st-century mystery anime, and that is something that even I, as an initial doubter of the show, cannot fault.
Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! Episode 10
No new school clubs sadly this week. Instead, the Student Council and the senior school staff notice how much money and local influence that Eizouken are getting after their last short with the Robot Club, and orders them not to accept any further profit from their current project. It is this current project that is sort of the basis of this week’s episode of Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!
We’ve had episodes covering both Tsubame and Sayaka, and while we still haven’t really had one covering Miyuki, perhaps we could this week as one. Outside of the sudden news that they can’t accept any outside money from this current short they’re making, Miyuki is starting to get a little restless, letting her mind wander off and let it think up new idea for new projects, instead of focusing on this one.
I noticed one other thing this week: the plot and story of this new project have been rather vague, but I think it is a product of design. While Miyuki is getting distracted with fresh new ideas that go nowhere, leaving producer Sayaka extremely frustrated with her, she hasn’t really put a solid plot to paper. We see UFOs, alien invasions, prisoners of war, and a big party after a battle, but that’s all we see. The hows, wheres and whys have been left out, all for Miyuki (who is playing the role of director) to figure out all by herself.
Maybe this is just her having a bit of a meltdown; too many ideas form in her head meaning she can’t put down an idea that she likes 100%. I’m pretty sure that we’ll see something more solid in this project in the remaining episodes; there aren’t that many left, after all.
Flying Witch Episode 10
These regular episodes of Flying Witch haven’t changed, and have no intention of changing either. This is, after all, just your average easy-going show portraying a trainee witch and the life that revolves around her, both real and magical.
In episode 10, we learn that Nao is a terrible cook, and end up needing both Makoto and Kei’s help when it comes to their Home Economics class. Nao gets a relatively easy job or making hamburger steaks, while Makoto makes a salad and Kei gets to do curry…except they all forget to do rice.
I have sometimes complained slice-of-life shows that are relatively slow, monotonous and have very little in the ways of plot. I guess in those cases, a strong character design is what matters, and you definitely get this in Flying Witch. There is no-one to particularly dislike in the show, and I mean no-one…and that has been one of the show’s greatest strengths. A lot more slice-of-life shows need to have this level of good character design, otherwise they all seem to merge together, and I think that is the reason why some slow slice-of-life shows annoy me more.
Hey, remember I used to watch an anime adaptation of Azur Lane last season, and the final two episodes ended up getting delayed? Well those final two episodes will be airing this month, and I can get around to watching what happens. Will the show ever get serious? Or will it carry on with the moeblob? Heck, I can’t even remember most of what happened anyway…but I am determined to finish the show regardless.
I’ll be putting up season reviews and previews soon, since this one is close to finishing, so I might as well ask now: has the Winter 2020 season been good for you? Or has it been a disappointment? Feel free to hit that like button and air your opinions in the comments below!